Strike Water Temperature Calculator

Work out strike water temperature instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Strike Water Temperature Calculator

The standard strike temperature formula is T_strike = (0.41 / mash thickness) x (T_target - T_grain) + T_target, where 0.41 is the ratio of grain to water specific heat. A tun loss allowance is added because the vessel itself absorbs heat unless preheated.

Formula

Strike water temperature

T_strike = (0.41 / R) x (T_mash - T_grain) + T_mash + tun loss, R in litres per kg

Worked example

With the default values below, Strike Water Temperature Calculator returns Strike Water Temperature of 73.79. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Target Mash Temperatureaccepts 20–90 degrees C: 66 degrees C
Grain Temperatureminimum -10 degrees C: 20 degrees C
Mash Thicknessminimum 0.1 L per kg: 3 L per kg
Mash Tun Heat Loss Allowanceminimum 0 degrees C: 1.5 degrees C

Results

Strike Water Temperature: 73.79
Thermal Ratio Term: 0.13667
Grain Temperature Rise Needed: 46.00
Infusion Temperature To Set: 73.79

Step by step

1Values used
2Strike water temperature
3Strike Water Temperature= 73.79
4Thermal Ratio Term= 0.13667
5Grain Temperature Rise Needed= 46.00
6Infusion Temperature To Set= 73.79

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why preheat the mash tun?

A cold tun can absorb enough heat to drop the mash 2-4 degrees, which changes the enzyme balance and therefore the fermentability of the wort. Preheating makes the strike calculation reliable.

What if the mash lands off target?

Correct upward with a measured boiling water infusion or downward with cold water, both computed by the same energy balance. Stir thoroughly and re-measure in several places.