Who Does An Iodine Test?

[SJW]

How many of us out there do an iodine test prior to mashout or sparging?
And how do u do it?
I just put a drop of mash liquid on a white plate and drop some iodophor on it. But what I have noticed that even though the iodine test may show conversion is complete after 15 or 20mins with some of the Joe White pale malts or a grain bill with low adjuncts is there any advantage in letting the mash go for the full 60 or 90 mins after this? And if u was to finish the mash after 15 or 20mins, and a negative iodine test, would this be when a mashout would be necessary?
And while I'm on the subject, if your mashing at 3:1 do u think there is still a need to mashout?

Steve

 

[therook]

I have done only 5 AG's and never tested yet....

You should make this a Poll Steve.

Rook

 

[DJR]

I did a few times then stopped. Recently i've done it with my 35 min mashes just to make sure - the 35 min mash batches i've done have shown full conversion, got 88% efficiency and have had no problems attenuating Bit of a time saver really. Wouldn't do it for all beer types though, but it seems to work.

 

[Velophile]

I've done one or two tests. Just to prove to myself that there was something going on in the tun while the lid was on

I used Betadine instead of Iodophor & also tested the starch-goes-black thing by adding a pinch of corn flour to the test plate. Very kitchen chemistry!

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

I do it on all beers except those darker than Iodine solution.Better to be sure.Dont want to end up with a BLUE brew as its known.Most pros I know ,well the good ones still do it.

Gryphon Brewing

 

[alexbrand]

Me!

I do these tests if I don't forget them......
I think if you run a (well) know mash programme there is no need to do it. Sometime ago I had two Blausude (blue brews) and I could not find any bad taste or flavour in the beer. So IMHO I don't need it anymore...

Alex

 

[Kai]

Never done it, unlikely to ever bother. Remember an iodine test shows the presence or absence of starch, not the absence or presence of fermentable sugar. There is a glorious no-man's land between the two during the mashing process. I don't see the need to do it at home unless you're back-checking the cause of a stuck ferment or using really skanky malt.

 

[Chris]

I used to do it quite often when I started mashing, and now do it ocasionally, if I've used a lot of adjuncts. Now my mashes are now more based on empirical observations.

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

Never done it, unlikely to ever bother. Remember an iodine test shows the presence or absence of starch, not the absence or presence of fermentable sugar. There is a glorious no-man's land between the two during the mashing process. I don't see the need to do it at home unless you're back-checking the cause of a stuck ferment or using really skanky malt.

So really you have answered the question on why you should do it. B)

 

[Kai]

Why you should do it when you have trouble, yeah. Otherwise, I figure RDWHAHB

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

Why you should do it when you have trouble, yeah. Otherwise, I figure RDWHAHB

I dont follow your thoughts.What is RDWHAHB got to do with it.Not very scientific.Each to there own.I do it because I want to reproduce good beer and cut down the variables.Not saying you dont produce good beer :super: but its the way to remove F ...ups.Every time you get new malt it is different in it parameters so a it was good last time approach is not good.All breweries do regular testing on all variables water, malt, hops and just about any thing you can think of.How would you feel if I sold you skanky malt? These tests are for good reason. B)

 

[Thirsty Boy]

I do one if I have done something unusual where I think conversion might be effected.

Lots of adjunct, larger than usual sourmash, dodgey or new/unusual malt...

But like Kai said, its not much good other than an indicator of when things have gone wrong.

iodine goes black = bad
iodine doesn't go black... not necessarily all hunky dorey

Or thats what I reckon anyway

Thirsty

 

[Mr Bond]

I'm with Kai!

Never done it,Can't see myself doin it.Nearly 30 AG's under the belt without using it so its prolly a little late to start anyways.My taste buds tell me if its converted or not.sweetest preboil worts are always the wheaties(yum).

hey Kai your a mod .Could you possibly change this to a poll so we can see some %ages?

Q 1. Yes i do

Q2. No I don't

Q3. I used to ,but not anymore.

Just a thought /suggestion.

Dave

 

[Stuster]

I'm with Kai!

Never done it,Can't see myself doin it.Nearly 30 AG's under the belt without using it so its prolly a little late to start anyways.My taste buds tell me if its converted or not.sweetest preboil worts are always the wheaties(yum).

hey Kai your a mod .Could you possibly change this to a poll so we can see some %ages?

Q 1. Yes i do

Q2. No I don't

Q3. I used to ,but not anymore.

Just a thought /suggestion.

Dave

Maybe with another option of "sometimes/occasionally", which is me. I'll do it sometimes, mainly if I'm bored during the mash. :blink: It's never been come back black near the time I would have finished the mash anyway, and I've only done it for fun. (Note to self: Get out a bit more.)

 

[Mr Bond]

I'll do it sometimes, mainly if I'm bored during the mash. :blink: (Note to self: Get out a bit more.)

I'm never bored for that 90 mins,I'm either fixing brekky for or supervising kids baths,or supervising tea and tucking the buggers in so i can start the sparge in peace.2night is a rare occasion with the wife home, so I'm AHB'n

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

I do one if I have done something unusual where I think conversion might be effected.

Lots of adjunct, larger than usual sourmash, dodgey or new/unusual malt...

But like Kai said, its not much good other than an indicator of when things have gone wrong.

iodine goes black = bad
iodine doesn't go black... not necessarily all hunky dorey

Or thats what I reckon anyway

Thirsty

I can see this being one of those point of view things."Iodine doesnt go black not nessesarily honky...."I have to agree to a point.But the colour of a iodine test will also indicate the presents of dextrines and starch.So you can judge to a point how your finished product will be.If it doesnt work why is it recommened in brewing texts?Yes I can tell by looking at my mash that I think I have conversion BUT I still check to see the colour of the reaction.In simplified terms check out Greg Noonans Brewing Lager pages 143-144 You will see were Im going on this point B) .

 

[Kai]

I dont follow your thoughts.What is RDWHAHB got to do with it.Not very scientific.Each to there own.I do it because I want to reproduce good beer and cut down the variables.Not saying you dont produce good beer :super: but its the way to remove F ...ups.Every time you get new malt it is different in it parameters so a it was good last time approach is not good.All breweries do regular testing on all variables water, malt, hops and just about any thing you can think of.How would you feel if I sold you skanky malt? These tests are for good reason. B)

No, it's not very scientific, but that's the way I like it. I think as homebrewers we're all guilty of sweating the small stuff too often. My point was that an iodine test is not something you ought to feel obligated to do every batch you brew. Just do it if you're worried, but don't take an all-clear on the iodine to mean you have a perfect wort.

 

[johnno]

I barely have time to scratch my arse.
Let alone do an iodine test.


cheers
johnno

 

[Tony]

whats iodine ?

i guess that a NO.

bugger that.

I use my refract and watch the Brix go up. when they stabalise its done.

works for me 60 to 90 min mash works fine. I cant see any point in testing with iodine and ending the mash early at say 40 min if you get a reading that tells you its done.

I dont trust it anyway, its to......dodgy kitchen crack lab technology for me

cheers

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

No, it's not very scientific, but that's the way I like it. I think as homebrewers we're all guilty of sweating the small stuff too often. My point was that an iodine test is not something you ought to feel obligated to do every batch you brew. Just do it if you're worried, but don't take an all-clear on the iodine to mean you have a perfect wort.

I can see your point of not sweating on the small stuff but I bet you phifty bucks later on in your brewing expierence that you will be saying that same as me.Its one big learning curve and I like to pass on my experiences.Better to learn from others mistakes! B)