I love no sparge brewing... - Page 2

flyangler18 · 10-11-2009, 09:58 PM

Sacch,

I want my March pump toolbox back.

**Saccharomyces** · 10-11-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edcculus

Are you draining the MLT by gravity into the BK/heat exchanger, then pumping out and back up into the MLT?

Exactly. Loop flows clockwise in the pic.

One challenge to note, the way the pump is mounted it doesn't want to prime from the BK on its own but if you open the valve, push water through the pump with an autosiphon, and then close the valve on the pump outlet before hooking it up it works like a champ.

**sudbuster** · 10-12-2009, 04:48 AM

Thanks for the pix and eplaining your setup and Aussie BIAB. Me thinks I'll give it a try. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks? ....

Beerman said:
The only bad thing I have to say about this method is it is anti engineering I really like building my own equipment and experimenting with new equipment. Gives me a great excuse to spend the day in the garage to drink the fruit of my labor.

**Saccharomyces** · 10-12-2009, 03:11 PM

I spent plenty of time, money, and trips to Home Depot to put this together so I wouldn't say it goes against expanding the brewery, but I do love how it simplifies the whole process to its simplest possible level. I'm also contemplating how I could do this with a Blichmann 20 without drilling into the kettle to add the nipple since that will probably be my next upgrade (the Blichmann has a better sight glass and better heat retention that will make it ideal for RIMS).

This upcoming weekend I will be running the system in no sparge mode but I will be chilling. We will see how much time that adds... I am guessing about 30 minutes.

ibbones · 10-12-2009, 03:49 PM

Nice process. Cant wait to see it. I'll have a camera and notepad in hand.

**shoebag22** · 10-12-2009, 04:40 PM

totally new to this and just trying to visualize the process. Do you continually circulate? In essence a continual sparge?

**Saccharomyces** · 10-12-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoebag22

totally new to this and just trying to visualize the process. Do you continually circulate? In essence a continual sparge?

Yes just like in a HERMS the mash liquid is recirculated throughout the mash. It starts out cloudy and becomes clear as the starches get converted into sugars... kinda neat to watch actually. By the time you start the boil the wort is already crystal clear, you could read a book through the gravity sample.

**shoebag22** · 10-12-2009, 04:49 PM

Any reason this wouldn't work with a 10 gallon batch if you have a big enough brew kettle? Would that cooler be able to handle a 10 gallon batch?

cookietruck · 10-12-2009, 04:49 PM

these temperatures in austin are perfect right now. i watched the weather forecast and knew the temps were going to be in the 60's starting friday.
i brewed thursday. single sparge. total time was 3.5 hours. cooled the wort to about 85* and stuck in ice bath that is in garage thrusday night.
friday morning the fermenter temp was 62* so i pitched pack of US05. the fermenter has stayed at 63* for the last three days with very minimal work.

**shoebag22** · 10-12-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccharomyces

The sparge manifold in the cooler is a 3' piece of reinforced PVC tubing from Home Depot with holes drilled every 1/2" and a plug in the end. It's connected to a nipple sandwich which comes through the lid just like the pot lid. I forgot to snap a photo of it I'll post one next time I have the rig out.

In the kettle I have a 10" braid connected to the spigot for the pickup. A 90* elbow screwed into the F-F of the weldless fitting kit would work just as well if you have the patience to whirlpool and let it settle before pumping out.

I don't see the need for the braid in the kettle. don't you want any grain particles that make it out of the cooler and in to the kettle to get circulated back in to the cooler?