Dgonza9

Recipes 

I've been having a lot of stuck mash issues. Question. I do RIMS and after I dough in and stir, I've been starting recirculation right away.

Should I wait for the grain bed to settle first like 5 minutes or so? Could this be contributing to stuck/slow mash issues?

Thanks.

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On Tap: Surly Furious, Belgian Trippel, Da Yoopers Pale Ale, Chocolate Lager, Wee too Heavy (barrel aged Scottish), Belgian Barrel Aged Barleywine, Simcoe Pale Ale, Galaxy/Nelson Sauvin IIPA, Broken foot Pilsner, Da Yooper's Oatmeal Stout

Bourbon Barrel
Kegged:

Fermenting Gumballhead with Nelson Sauvin

on Deck: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Clone, Ocktoberfast Ale, Rodenbach Clone.

Hammy71

Recipes 

I usually start my recirculation as soon as I make sure any dough balls are gone. I have noticed that a crap load of rice hulls really help with my false bottom.

avidhomebrewer

Recipes 

I don't have a RIMS but I haven't had a stuck mash in many years. What I do is mash overnight. In the morning, open up the ball valve, collect first runnings and then start sparging. I don't use rice hulls either. I have a stainless steel braided line connected to a 1/4" ball valve.

In your situation, I would allow the bed to settle for about 10-15 minutes, then start your sparge. It can't be any worse than what you already have - stuck mashes. Time for a different technique.

bighand

Recipes 

I had some problems with a stuck mash when using my RIMS. I ended up opening up the gap of my mill a little bit and have not had any more problems. (Although my efficiency dropped from 83% to around 70%.) I decided it was worth the lower efficiency to not drive myself crazy with the stuck mashes.

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Check out my brewing blog at bighand brewery

Dgonza9

Recipes 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm brewing tomorrow. I reconfigured my manifold and I'm going to solder it together. It came apart last time. I'm also going to put the manifold inside of a nylon bag as some extra insurance against a stuck sparge. I've got about a half pound of rice hulls as well.

Recipe has flaked rice, flaked corn, and wheat, so I'm hoping for the best here.

__________________
On Tap: Surly Furious, Belgian Trippel, Da Yoopers Pale Ale, Chocolate Lager, Wee too Heavy (barrel aged Scottish), Belgian Barrel Aged Barleywine, Simcoe Pale Ale, Galaxy/Nelson Sauvin IIPA, Broken foot Pilsner, Da Yooper's Oatmeal Stout

Bourbon Barrel
Kegged:

Fermenting Gumballhead with Nelson Sauvin

on Deck: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Clone, Ocktoberfast Ale, Rodenbach Clone.

Dgonza9

Recipes 

Interesting. Any concern about bacteria with this technique. Sounds like, no, but just curious. This could really come in handy.

__________________
On Tap: Surly Furious, Belgian Trippel, Da Yoopers Pale Ale, Chocolate Lager, Wee too Heavy (barrel aged Scottish), Belgian Barrel Aged Barleywine, Simcoe Pale Ale, Galaxy/Nelson Sauvin IIPA, Broken foot Pilsner, Da Yooper's Oatmeal Stout

Bourbon Barrel
Kegged:

Fermenting Gumballhead with Nelson Sauvin

on Deck: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Clone, Ocktoberfast Ale, Rodenbach Clone.

ryandlf

Recipes 

There is most definitely a chance of a bacterial infection with that technique. It's been discussed in detail on many occasions on this forum...do a search. 150 degree, sugary grain is bacteria's best friend I'm not saying others haven't done it with success, but you asked if there is a risk and the answer is yes.

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Fermenting/Conditioning:
Cecile's Secret IPA
Midnight Blackout Dark IPA

On-Tap:
Highland Oatmeal Porter Clone
Jungle Love APA

wheels4

Recipes 

Do not solder it together it will be a PITA to clean. If it came apart you can use stainless wire and wire it together. This is what I do and it will never come apart.

avidhomebrewer

Recipes 

I won't downplay the chance at an infection, but I haven't had one in over 5 years of using this technique, 2x/month. It's been working for me and is a big time saver, so I'm going with it.

JuanMoore

Recipes 

I think starting the recirculation too suddenly can compact the grain bed and cause some issues, especially with an LG or more powerful pump. Maybe try opening the valve slowly and see if it helps any.