I have a question about the functionality of single tier stands. When you sparge do you use two pumps or do you use gravity to drain the runnings to a vessel off the stand and pump it back up to the kettle? Do you batch sparge (pump in, move pump/turn valves and pump out?
I ended up going two-tier because I couldn't figure out a process for single tier. I also anticipated fly sparging and did not want to pump out of the lauter tun and run the chance of compacting the grain bed. For now I think batch sparging will be my MO. Is compaction still a concern?
I used the predrilled/slotted angle iron bolted together. I'll have to take some pictures for the board's opinions. I was worried about corner bracing but it stiffened up once all the shelves and such were bolted in. I was glad about that because the damn metal, bolts and casters cost me over $200.
If you batch sparge, you can use a single pump to first xfer the sparge water and then xfer the wort. If you want to fly sparge, then 2 pumps are required. A lot of people use pumps to drain the MLT without problems with compacted grain bed.
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Originally Posted by duffman2
I dub this beer the Double Slutty Triple Nutty Bodacious Booty Brunette!
If you batch sparge, you can use a single pump to first xfer the sparge water and then xfer the wort. If you want to fly sparge, then 2 pumps are required. A lot of people use pumps to drain the MLT without problems with compacted grain bed.
Nuff said. I have 2 pumps because I got a deal on a lot of equipment. I may fly sparge, but batch sparging has been working well enough (it's also quicker). I'll probably batch sparge, and use the second pump to do this: http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php
...and did not want to pump out of the lauter tun and run the chance of compacting the grain bed...
I plan on milling my grain a bit finer until when the ball valve on my MLT is wide open I get a compacted grain bed. Then I'm going to stirr it up and not crack it open as much. I want to find out where it happens so I can max out efficency. If you have a problem with a compacted grain bed there is NOTHING to worry about. Just stirr, recirc and go again with the knowlege that you have sufficiently milled grains to get the best possible brewhouse efficiency.
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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning and that's as good as they're going to feel all day." -Dean Martin
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Originally Posted by TheFlyingBeer
...no sense hauling empty carboys around when full ones take up just as much space. :)
Grimsawyer,
Purchase a Dwyer VFB 4" scale flow meter (VFB-81) to monitor the flow and color of the wort from the mash. If you use one on the sparge water you could balance the flow in and out and maintain liquid level in the mash tun. These items are not terribly expensive at $41.50 and are a easy way to set and monitor pump flow from the mash. Here is a link to the Dwer flowmeter pagehttp://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flow/SeriesVFA-VFBPrice.cfm#CRA
Grimsawyer,
Purchase a Dwyer VFB 4" scale flow meter (VFB-81) to monitor the flow and color of the wort from the mash. If you use one on the sparge water you could balance the flow in and out and maintain liquid level in the mash tun. These items are not terribly expensive at $41.50 and are a easy way to set and monitor pump flow from the mash. Here is a link to the Dwer flowmeter pagehttp://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flow/SeriesVFA-VFBPrice.cfm#CRA
Those look pretty interesting, but the specs say they are only rated to 150F. My sparge water is hotter than that. Have you used these at high temps?
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Have used the Dwyer flow meters to 180 deg but at 1/2 Psi or less with no problems. They are a valuable tool when trying to work out flow rates to and from the mash tun, and specially when doing high gravity/high percentage wheat to barley weizenbocks. The added benifit is when you recirculate you can watch the wort clear up and monitor the color of the wort as the mashing process proceeds.
SWEET! These need to be mounted upwrite, correct, being it isn't spring loaded. Looks like it relys on gravity to be read right.
__________________
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning and that's as good as they're going to feel all day." -Dean Martin
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheFlyingBeer
...no sense hauling empty carboys around when full ones take up just as much space. :)
Crap. No more pics. My Bad. When I get a night where I'm not watching my newborn son I'll put the pics back in. If you're hardcore about making a wood rig (and can't/don't know how to weld like me), PM me and let me know.....I can definitely give you lessons learned. Remember: WOOD IS GOOD!
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