When you pour hot water over room-temperature grain, the temperature drops. This calculator tells you exactly how hot your "strike water" needs to be to reach your target mash temperature.
🌡️ Calculate Strike Temperature
°F
For our recipe: 150-154°F recommended
Quick presets:
lbs
Our 1-gallon recipe uses ~2.125 lbs total
°F
Usually room temperature (~68-72°F)
qt/lb
BIAB typically uses 1.25-2.0 qt/lb
Temperature Units:
📊 Results
Heat your strike water to:
162°F
This should drop to ~152°F when grain is added
Water Volume Needed:
3.2 quarts
In Gallons:
0.8 gallons
🎯 Tips for Hitting Your Temp
- Pre-heat your pot: A cold pot steals heat. Run some hot water through first.
- Stir well: Break up dough balls and check temp in multiple spots.
- Overshoot slightly: If in doubt, heat water 2-3°F higher - it's easier to cool than heat.
- Have backup: Keep a kettle of boiling water ready for quick temp adjustments.
What Temperature Does
148-150°F
More fermentable, drier, lighter body
151-154°F
Balanced - recommended for holiday ale
155-158°F
Less fermentable, sweeter, fuller body