Maximizing Efficiency when Batch Sparging - Page 8

FlyGuy · 03-04-2010, 12:34 PM

This is the preferred method for a lot of people. I have tried it both ways and found that it didn't do much to improve my efficiency, but others have found it to be very helpful. It is definitely worth trying for yourself.

Bru · 03-04-2010, 01:16 PM

I fly sparge without a mash-out and get around 75% efficiency but more is always welcome. I like a thin mash - the thinner the better. Normally I aim for around 3L / kg but increase the ratio untill my 42L MLT can't take any more (normally not much more than 3L/kg for a 44L batch.

I'd be interested to hear what is a better procedure for increasing eficiency : mashing thicker (say 2.5L/kg) which will allow space in the MLT for a mash-out or going as thin a mash as possible without a mash-out.
Any guesses ?

Denny · 03-04-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekjohns

Has anyone ever tried to split the sparge into two let's say if you sparge with 6 gal you can do two with 3 gals each. The thought behind this is simple diffusion where sugars will more readily move into water when there is less sugar in the water to begin with. There for by starting with 2 fresh water additions the final amount of sugar extracted will be higher. Has anyone friend this?

I've tried it and I didn't find enough gain to justify the time and effort. If you really wanted to eke out every last gravity point, it would do that. To me, it's a waste of time.

TacoGuthrie · 03-08-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny

I've tried it and I didn't find enough gain to justify the time and effort. If you really wanted to eke out every last gravity point, it would do that. To me, it's a waste of time.

I think there is some validity to that theory though.

Back when I was doing countertop partial mashes (in a 3G cooler) with full boils I would do 3 sparges of 2.5 gallons each. I would get really high efficiency- Always in the 90s.

Now I do AG in a 10G cooler and have been doing one 3.5 G batch sparge. These days I usually get 80%. I am still pretty happy with 80%, don't get me wrong but I might try splitting my sparge as an experiment next time and see what happens

Beernip · 03-28-2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny

I usually shop at the "other" HB shop in town, so I don't have any first have experience with the crush at Valley. If I had to guess, I'd say it's too coarse. What is your system like? Could you be leaving wort behind? Is your water OK? Have you looked at Kai's work on conversion efficiency vs. extraction efficiency?

I tried the pH stabilizer 5.2 with my and jumped 10 points in my efficiency and overshot my target OG of 1.056 to 1.064 which brought it my eff up to around 74%.

Much better.

Denny · 03-29-2010, 05:53 PM

Was that the only change you made? With my water, it does pretty much nothing for me.

Beernip · 03-29-2010, 06:43 PM

I also increase my sparge water temp about 5 degrees. I usually bring the grain up to 165 on the sparge and brought it up to 170 this time. I'm hoping it is not a fluke but will see on the next batch. Not sure if it was the temp or the stabilizer but my sparge OG was 1.042 with an estimated pre-boil gravity of 1.048.

Denny · 03-29-2010, 07:14 PM

I really doubt it was the temp. I haven't sen that have any effect and Kai's experiment with cold sparging seems to back that up.

FlyGuy · 03-31-2010, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny

I really doubt it was the temp. I haven't sen that have any effect and Kai's experiment with cold sparging seems to back that up.

Denny -- something for you to consider is that you are already getting pretty much optimal efficiency at 85%+. It is not surprising that when you make changes/improvements to your process, such as pH buffers or hot sparges, that you don't see an increase in your efficiency. You have no where left to go!

But for someone struggling with low efficiency, these little tips can sometimes make a world of difference.

Cheers!

Denny · 03-31-2010, 05:36 PM

Yes, they sometimes can, but you have to carefully assess any changes you make to be sure that's what gives you the results.