LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

This is a mash paddle that was ordered by a co-worker of mine. He ordered this as a gift for his brother who brews beer - a fantastic hobby and one I share as well.

This particular paddle is solid cherry and has three hops flowers in the paddle area - these were cut out using a scrollsaw with a #5 spiral blade.

The names in both sides of the handle area were carved using my CNC Router.

The paddle measures around 44 inches long and is 3 1/2 inches wide at the paddle end. It's a tad over an inch thick.

"What's a Mash Paddle" you ask? View this quick video of the owner of Dogfish Head Brewery who is using one of my mash paddles and you will understand. He ordered one that was around 50% larger than the one pictured in this project.

The finish of choice for a Paddle like this is a coat of food-grade mineral oil.

Enjoy!

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
2,185 Posts
Nice one Bob.
Sweet hunk-o-cherry too.

Good combo of CNC and traditional.
Steve
 

· Registered
Joined
·
462 Posts
Very nice. I share the hobby as well. RDWHAHB.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,401 Posts
That is a beauty!

Yeah, well. The Dude abides.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3 Posts
Nice! It has got to be quite an honor making a mash paddle for DFH!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
232 Posts
Steve, this was indeed a very lovely hunk of Cherry - it oxidized rather quickly and when I put the oil on it all this amazing grain just popped out of it.

Yes, it was quite the honor making a custom mash paddle for Sam at Dogfish Head. What was even better was the payment - an evening spent at the DFH Pub in Rehoboth, De with Sam and his Family and having great beer and good conversation. Then, he loaded up my SUV with a BUNCH of his best beer!

And Gibernak, I couldn't agree more!

Cheers!

-bob
 

· Registered
Joined
·
49 Posts
This is so cool. I make a bit of homw brew too and think I will make one. Just one question.
Is there any risk of contamination - are there any woods that should not be used. Do you need to stabilise the wood. What happens the wood when you are sterilising.
Well that was several questions - but these look so much more cool than my stainless stirrer.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
232 Posts
NaFianna,

I only use three types of hardwood in my paddles as I know they are safe.

Cherry, Walnut and Maple.

While there are a lot of woods that can be used, I go with my safe ones. Pretty much any wood you can safely use in a cutting board would be safe in a mash paddle. There is no need to stabilize, nor worry of contamination as you are only using the paddle prior to and during the boil.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,070 Posts
Very cool! I've got some leftover walnut and maple, and need a mash paddle…
 

· Registered
Joined
·
232 Posts
Ed, I would encourage you to look at my other paddles I've made for examples as well. A few of them use contrasting woods in the handle area.

Good luck and LMK if you have any questions - I'll be happy to lend a hand!

-bob
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,070 Posts
Thanks for the examples, Bob, you've got a lot of great looking mash paddles there! I was thinking of making a panel with black walnut on either side, and a gentle wavve shaped strip of maple down the middle, then cut my paddle out of that. Drill a few different shaped holes in the end, rounded over with the router, and make some beer!

It is nice to be able to combine my two favorite hobbies. I have a bunch of rough eastern red cedar left over, and plan on making some beer cases from that so it's a little more organized when I store them in the garage.
 
Top