Finish for a wood mash paddle

[crawfow]

My Dad and I cut down a cherry tree a few years back and had some lumber milled. This past weekend I made a few mash paddles out of this lumber. Any suggestions on how I should finish the wood without leaching some awful chemicals into my mash?

Thomas C.
Tallahassee, FL

[Speyedr]

The mash paddle I got from Northern Brewer is unfinished. I don't think you should finish it at all, except maybe up by the handle specifically because of the chemicals. Any part that will go into the mash should be unfinished IMO.

Got any pics?

[Push Eject]

From Morebeer.com:
Care Guide
These should be cleaned periodically with a oil, ideally Block Oil would be used which is found in many kitchen stores.

[Impalla]

My mash paddle is made from a piece of Northern Wisconsin Maple. It was sanded down to an eventual, very fine finish with no oils. I personally wouldn't finish the wood with anything. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse and let air dry after each use.

-Impalla

ps - Push is gay.

[Bugeater]

Yeah, do like Impalla says. Sand it good, wet it down and let it dry. Sand again, wet it down and let dry. Do this at least 4 or 5 times, switching to finer sandpaper on the last couple go rounds. Each time you wet and dry the wood, you will raise the grain, however each time it will raise less. Once you get it down to where it doesn't raise anymore you are done.

I would avoid oils. You don't want oil in your mash.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Geistbier]

great info, I got one for judging last year and wasn't sure if it was purely ceremonial or if it could be used for brewing.

[crawfow]

Here are the paddles and a shelf I built to display some of my medals.

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=mashpaddles.JPG

[crawfow]

Sorry, I am a tard and finally found out a place that allowed hot links. Here is the pic: