Mashing 21 lbs of grain in a 15 gallon pot

[russki]

This is a small session beer, OG is expected to be 1.054.

Dang... I think I've been doing session beers wrong this whole time Mine are usually 1.040-ish. I'm scared to know what you would do with an "imperial" beer!

[Beer-lord]

Well, at 5.3% it's probably not a true session beer but I hear they are between 4.5 an 5%. Not sure who made that 'rule' but for me, it's a work in progress.
Go To is 4.5%, and according to this site, I'm out of bounds here. If you read it all, I'm not even close. But, you're right, for me, it's a session beer.
Likely, I'll brew smaller ones as the summer goes on with less hops. Hey, I gotta start somewhere.

[Beer-lord]

I'm crying Uncle. I've spent an hour reading current info on session beers and russki woke me up! By following the current thought of what a session beer is by many in the biz, I've reduced both the amount of base malt as well as hops to bring it closer to what is on the market now. And, it will now make it a bit easier to come closer to the water level needed though I'll still need to do a bit of sparging which is not a problem at all.
So, here's where I am now.....and, its 4.9% so I'm closer to the actual ABV of many of the newer session beers. One thing I've lost sight of is that with a lighter grain bill, even lowering the hops won't be a problem since the light grist will allow the hops to pop out more.

BeerSmith 2 Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Summer Session IPA-Disciple of Hops Series-11 gallons
Brewer:
Asst Brewer:
Style: American IPA
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 12.54 gal
Post Boil Volume: 11.44 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 11.00 gal
Bottling Volume: 11.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.048 SG
Estimated Color: 7.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 70.6 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 76.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 76.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
14 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) Bel (3.0 SRM) Grain 1 74.2 %
2 lbs 12.0 oz Vienna Malt (Briess) (3.5 SRM) Grain 2 14.6 %
1 lbs 6.0 oz Wheat - Red Malt (Briess) (2.3 SRM) Grain 3 7.3 %
12.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 4 4.0 %
1.83 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 5 18.7 IBUs
1.38 oz Chinook [11.40 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 6 14.4 IBUs
1.38 oz Chinook [11.40 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 7 10.5 IBUs
2.75 oz Cascade [6.80 %] - Steep/Whirlpool 20.0 Hop 8 10.5 IBUs
1.83 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 9 0.0 IBUs
1.83 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [16.00 %] - Steep/Wh Hop 10 16.5 IBUs
1.8 pkg California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) [35. Yeast 11 -
2.75 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [16.00 %] - Dry Hop Hop 12 0.0 IBUs
2.75 oz Summit [16.00 %] - Dry Hop 7.0 Days Hop 13 0.0 IBUs
3.67 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Dry Hop 3.0 Days Hop 14 0.0 IBUs
1.83 oz Cascade [6.80 %] - Dry Hop 3.0 Days Hop 15 0.0 IBUs


Mash Schedule: BIAB, Medium Body
Total Grain Weight: 18 lbs 14.0 oz
----------------------------
Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Saccharification Add 55.69 qt of water at 159.1 F 152.1 F 75 min
Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 7 min 168.0 F 10 min

[Beer-lord]

I found a nice grill to use to hold my grains to drain. Strong and sturdy. They come covered in oil I guess to not only keep them from rusting but so that meat don't stick. So, I soaked it in star sans and gave it a good cleaning to get the oil off. I already see some rust.
Stupid OCD question, if I keep it clean, is there a problem using since some rust will likely get in?

[BigPapaG]

Would getting it good and hot and then dunking it in water pacify it in any way and reduce the rust potential?

[Beer-lord]

First, I would clean it real well before using it and remove any rust but I can see this problem getting worse with time. I know the wort will be boiled and am not worried about bacteria, just the OCD fact that lighter beers could be affected from the possible rust getting in.
Seriously, how much rust can we be talking about?
I think too much and my head hurts!

[russki]

Mine has a bit of rust too - hasn't affected the beer. After using it, I just rinse it off, dry it with a paper towel and store till next time. RDWHAHB!!!

[Beer-lord]

I brought the rack to my LHBS today when I stopped by for supplies. 2 guys said they wouldn't take the chance. I think I'm fine if and until the rust gets very bad. I'll wash and scrub as much as I can before using and check it with each use.
I swear I'm not this anal in everyday life!

[mtsoxfan]

If the rust is making yhour head hurt, why not spend the time to paint? Then you can worry about something else...

[russki]

If the rust is making yhour head hurt, why not spend the time to paint? Then you can worry about something else...

I would imagine a bit of extra iron would be better for you than paint flakes...