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**HBHoss** · 02-09-2010, 06:21 PM

The false bottom in my 15 gallon kettle requires 2.5 gallons of water to reach it. How does this affect the water to grain ratio? Should I calculate using 1.5 - 2 qt/lb as usual and then add 2.5 gallons so I know the grain will be covered? Should I bend the legs of the false bottom so it rests on the lip of the valve part that sticks out into the kettle?
I bring this up because I just did a 5 gallon AG batch and the amount of water calculated for 10 lb of grain wasn't enough to cover the grain so I had to add more water.
What do you all think about this predicament?

**Bobby_M** · 02-09-2010, 06:45 PM

Wait, what? Why is it mounted so high? I have a full 16" diameter FB in my sanke mash tun and it's at the 7/8ths of a gallon mark.

**pompeiisneaks** · 02-09-2010, 07:06 PM

+1 there thats a huge offset, mines like .5 gallons below it if that much. you may want to see if you can cut short or remove those legs pushing it up so high... but don't do it and blame me if its broken after :P

HarkinBanks · 02-09-2010, 07:26 PM

I had a similar problem with my false bottom that came with my 10 gallon kettle. I ultimately ditched it for a 12" false bottom from Norther Brewer because of pick-up problems. http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-equipment/all-grain-equipment/false-bottoms/12-s-s-false-bottom.html

If you can cover the grain with a 1.5 qt/lb grain ratio, it will be ok, but if you can't get enough water above the false bottom it is obviously a problem. You need to rig a pick-up tube under your bigger false bottom if you keep it. Otherwise you will leave behind too much wort if you just rely on the barb valve/coupler to drain the wort.

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 02-09-2010, 07:37 PM

I recently changed over from a cooler MLT to a Keggle MLT with FB. I have about a gallon of space below. It was my understanding that you needed to account for that "deadspace" as you suggested. BUT, on the 4 batches I've done with the new set up I've always pulled about 1 gallon more than I was aiming for. So it's a good question.

HarkinBanks · 02-09-2010, 07:45 PM

You have to account for the amount of deadspace that your siphoning technique (pick-up tube or whatever) cannot pull out as lost wort. If you have a pick-up tube that can get all of your wort out, you really have zero deadspace.

If you add more water to your MLT, you are just upping your mash ratio.

**HBHoss** · 02-09-2010, 07:58 PM

I'm concerned that if I modify the legs then the FB will be at an angle and not have a good seal around the edges which will let crud flow out into the boil kettle.

**HBHoss** · 02-10-2010, 02:11 AM

So if the concept is to immerse the grain in water then I should calculate my water based on the quarts to pounds of grain as usual and then add 2.5 gallons and just expect to lose 2.5 gallons of wort?

HarkinBanks · 02-10-2010, 02:16 AM

Not necessarily, how much is left in your MLT after you drain?

**HBHoss** · 02-10-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarkinBanks

Not necessarily, how much is left in your MLT after you drain?

it takes 2.5 gallons to reach the top of the false bottom.