Strike Water Temperature Calculator
Hitting your mash temperature starts here. Enter your grain bill, grain temperature, target mash temp, and water-to-grist ratio — get the exact strike water temperature and volume.
Results
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How the strike water formula works
Grain absorbs heat — about a fifth as much per degree as the same weight of water (that's the 0.2 constant). The standard infusion equation balances the heat: Tw = (0.2 ÷ R) × (T2 − T1) + T2, where R is your water-to-grist ratio, T2 is your target mash temperature, and T1 is your grain temperature.
In practice, heat your strike water a couple of degrees hotter than calculated — your mash tun steals heat — then stir and check with a thermometer after doughing in. See what mash temperature does to your beer for choosing your target.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate strike water temperature?
Strike temp = (0.2 ÷ ratio) × (target mash temp − grain temp) + target mash temp, with ratio in qt/lb. The calculator above handles the math including metric units.
What is a good water-to-grist ratio?
1.0–2.0 qt/lb (about 2.1–4.2 L/kg) for most single-infusion mashes. 1.25 qt/lb is the classic starting point.
Should strike water be hotter to account for tun heat loss?
Yes — preheat your tun with hot water, or heat strike water 2–4°F above the calculated number and stir down to target after doughing in.