HARDWOOD CHOICES
Robert Rhoades WoodWorks
Types of Hardwood I Use and Recommend for Mash Paddles
While I've made paddles out of many different species of hardwood, I mainly use & recommend three types of wood.
Ash, Cherry & Walnut
Ash
Ash is highly suited for use in a wet environment and makes a wonderful Mash Paddle. It has a varied wood grain which can be light to dark as well as mottled. It is also a very strong wood for it's relatively light weight - a benefit when it comes to using it for stirring thick mash!
Some examples of Ash Mash Paddles
Cherry
If you are looking for a bolder, deep red color and some wonderful wood grain that actually darkens with age, then Cherry is the wood for you! A bit heavier, it also takes well to a damp environment providing it's allowed to fully dry in between mash-ins. It IS a bit more costly, but many feel it's worth the small increase in price.
Some examples of Cherry Mash Paddles
Walnut
If you are looking for a VERY dark, chocolaty rich paddle, then Walnut is certainly your choice! About as dense as Ash, it also holds up in damp conditions providing it's cared for and allowed to fully dry between mash-ins. It's a tad more in cost, but it makes a really gorgeous paddle if DARK is what you are looking for.
Some examples of Walnut Mash Paddles
