Mashing Equipment Simulating Deep-Bed Production Mashes

A glass mashing unit, using only 1 kg of grist, has been designed to simulate the effects of wort run-off from a deep infusion tun. The apparatus incorporates automatic sparging control and measurement of mash temperature without disturbing the filtration characteristics of the mash bed. The ease of wort run-off is assessed by monitoring the pressure differential across the mash bed while wort is allowed to separate at a pre-determined flow rate. The depth of mash bed (1·8 metres) is equivalent to that in a commercial infusion tun and, although only a small quantity of grist is required, the apparatus permits characterisation of the potential run-off behaviour of different malts under production conditions.