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RedSun · 08-10-2007, 04:47 PM

Haha, it's easy, just don't sparge! I just increase the grain bill and I'm on my way.

-RS

Alemental · 08-10-2007, 08:24 PM

There is an excellent (and Free!) software program, Mash Water 3.3, on this page to figger out sparge amount & other water issues. Check the "Mash out" button, and it will set your sparge water to 2 equal volumes, which is what you want for batch sparging.

http://suburb.semo.net/jthornton/BeerHome.htm

**Jaybird** · 08-10-2007, 08:40 PM

just my .02
I use 1.30 to 1.33 qts per # of grain for my mash and I will loose 3 gal per 25 # of grain BUT I fly sparge for Eff. reasons never done a batch sparge.
JJ

**Bobby_M** · 08-10-2007, 09:10 PM

Certainly don't want to turn this into a batch/fly debate, but I've gotten upwards of 86% batch sparging collecting only enough to require a 70 minute boil.

**the_bird** · 08-10-2007, 09:15 PM

I tried a fly sparge on my last batch, and efficiency was nearly identical to what I've been getting with batch sparges...

PISS POOR!

**Jaybird** · 08-10-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

Certainly don't want to turn this into a batch/fly debate, but I've gotten upwards of 86% batch sparging collecting only enough to require a 70 minute boil.

nope no debate here I would like to try a batch sparge but I am so comfortable doing a fly and I use the sparge time to do other things
JJ

FlyGuy · 08-10-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby_M

Certainly don't want to turn this into a batch/fly debate, but I've gotten upwards of 86% batch sparging collecting only enough to require a 70 minute boil.

Hey, that's really good. My most recent batch was 80%, but that was using my Porkert (Corona) mill, so I don't think I am going to improve much now. Regardless, I am perfectly happy with that and doubt I will try fly sparging, get a new mill, etc. just to go up a few points.

Bobby, I am curious -- what was the OG of that 86% brew you did? Under 1.065 or over?

**niquejim** · 08-11-2007, 12:22 AM

Read Denny's site. It gives the calculations
http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/
It is trial and error to start, but after you fiqure out your system you'll get half of your total boil amount first run, the other half second run.
Also see
http://www.tastybrew.com/calculators/

**Yuri_Rage** · 08-11-2007, 12:32 AM

I fly sparge, but the calculations for sparge water remain relatively constant. I greatly simplify these calculations by using BeerSmith to formulate the recipe, knowing that I like to boil about 17.5 gallons of wort to get about 15 gallons of beer in the end, and that I easily get 75-80% efficiency.

I generally mash with 1.25 quarts of water per pound of grain. My average grain bill is 30 to 40 pounds of grain, absorbing approximately 1 gallon per 10 lbs of grain. So, I dough in with 10-12 gallons of water. The grain will absorb 3-4 gallons of that water, leaving me with 7-8 gallons of first runnings. Therefore, I'll need roughly 10 gallons of sparge water to get my desired volume. I usually have 15 gallons of sparge water available just in case.

**Bobby_M** · 08-11-2007, 01:43 AM

I hit 86% on a 1.044 ordinary bitter and then the next batch was 80% on a 1.042 blonde ale.

On the bitter, I used a mash out + two batch sparges. The SG on the last runnings was 1.010.

On the Blonde, I didn't infuse a mash out but did two sparges, last runnings were still 1.020 but I had my desired volume.

I'm sticking with mash out infusions....