Is 185 too hot for sparge water?

[Craigerrr]

Looking at a coffee urn at Costco for sparge water, it has a keep warm setting which is 185F.
Alternatively, I guess I could control it with an inkbird, will have to check the amp draw though...

 

[Minbari]

If it did sparging at the end? Shouldn't be. You are done converting anyway.

When people fo decoctions they use boiling water.

 

[HighVoltageMan!]

Not really. You’re mostly worried about tannin extraction from the grain. Not only does the temperature need to be high, but the mash ph needs to be above 6 or so. Adding a teaspoon or two of 88% lactic acid or 85% phosphoric acid to the sparge water will keep the mash pH in check during the sparge

I always acidify my sparge water, the boil pH gets closer to my target of 5.1-5.2. Most times I have to drop the wort pre-boil pH by adding acid to the boil.

 

[Wortboy]

I always use 180 degree sparge water. No worries about tannin extraction because I batch sparge and the hot water isn't in contact with the grains long enough to bring out the tannins. Go for it.

 

[Donoroto]

All that being said, measure the 185 before using it the first time. It could be off a bit.

You can always add cold milk to your coffee to cool it a little...

 

[J A]

By the time the water is dripped onto the grain bed, it's cooling somewhat. I heat my sparge water up to nearly 180 before transferring from the HLT to my sparge water grant. Over the course of the sparge, it cools in the vessel a little as well. I like the idea of keeping the grain bed and wort pretty close to mash out temp coming out of the tun.

 

[Hawkbox]

I heat the entire amount before I mash in and my sparge water is whatever it is sitting at when the mash is finished, so I don't see why your method would be an issue.

 

[GFHomebrew]

FWIW STCs are good for 10amps but better if you can use your urn straight out the box. Enjoy

 

[56 Firedome]

I heat my Sparge Water with an Immersion Cooker in my 3gal Igloo cooler. Normally 167 F. Pump out of Sparge Tank to top of Mash Tun & hold at least 10 min before draining into Kettle. I have rarely hit 170+ after switching to EC.