Strike Water Temperature Calculator

Palmer's single infusion formula is strike = (0.2 / r) x (target minus grain temp) + target, where r is quarts of water per pound of grain. The 0.2 constant is the specific heat of grain relative to water, which is why grain warms up so much less than the same weight of liquid.

Room temperature grain is a heat sink. When the water and grain mix, they average out to a temperature between the two. Starting the water above your target pulls the settled mash back up to the rest you actually want.

Most single infusion mashes run between 1.25 and 1.5 quarts per pound. Thinner mashes hold temperature more steadily but need a higher strike temp to hit the same rest, while thicker mashes are more forgiving on pH swings.

Yes. Use the F and C toggle at the top and both temperature fields switch units, converting the numbers you already typed. The grain weight stays in pounds and the mash volume stays in quarts and gallons.

No. The formula assumes only the grain absorbs heat. A cold tun pulls extra heat from the water, so preheat it with hot water first or aim one to two degrees above the strike temp the tool shows.

It multiplies your mash thickness by the grain weight to get quarts, then divides by four for gallons. So 10 pounds at 1.5 quarts per pound is 15 quarts, which is 3.75 gallons. This is mash water only.

Yes, if you batch or fly sparge. The figure here is the water that goes into the mash. Your sparge volume is separate and depends on your target pre boil volume, grain absorption and dead space.

The formula is a reliable starting point used across homebrewing, but real strikes vary with tun material, ambient temperature and how fast you stir in. Check the mash with a thermometer and adjust with small splashes of hot or cold water if needed.

Yes. Every calculation happens locally in your browser and nothing about your grain bill or temperatures is sent to a server.