adhomebrew10

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I am planning to do a robust porter this weekend (our Christmas beer), a 4g batch. I am still learning AG, so assuming 65% efficiency, and I am using 10lb grain.

I plan to mash with 1.25qt, and that will give me approximately 8qt first runnings after absorption/deadspace (.5qt).

This means I need another 3.63g to get to my pre boil volume (including DS loss). I have been reading that 2 sparges (batch) normally yield better efficiency, so would like to try it out. However, that would give me a "sparge thickness" of about .75qt/lb.

Would this be too thick to adequately rinse the grain? Would it be better in this case to go with one sparge (about 1.5qt lb)?

Thanks!

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cmybeer

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When I first started I struggled with attempting to increase my efficiency and went the double sparging route and still wound up right around 65% brewhouse efficiency. I didn't really see an increase so I guess sparging was not my problem. A friend got a grain mill and after that I've bumped everything consistently up to 72% give or take a point here and there. So how's your crush? If you do it at the store run it through twice.

Other than that, I wouldn't worry about lacking in efficiency much. As long as you know what you get on your system consistently you're good to go.

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Yooper

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Since it's 10 pounds of grain, and 3.6 gallons of sparge water, I'd probably just do it in one addition. Otherwise, it'd be too thick to easily stir I"d think.

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Mojzis

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Mash with 1.25 quarts?

adhomebrew10

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Excellent! That is what I was thinking but it is always nice to hear a second opinion from the more experienced!

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Traditions Brewing Company
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adhomebrew10

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Surely you knew I was saying 1.25 qt/lb My bad. Need the units!

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Traditions Brewing Company
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Yooper

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Nah, we know that's what you meant!

If you want to, you could mash a bit thinner, say 1.50- 2 quarts/pound and then use a bit less for the sparge.

Actually, now that I think about it that might be the way to go. Say you mash in with 1.5 quarts/pound, you'd get 2.75 gallons or so in first runnings. Then you could sparge with roughly 2.75 gallons to get your desired boil volume. That would maximize efficiency, give a great quality wort, and be a bit less work overall. That's what I'd do, but I have been mashing with 1.5- 1.75 quarts/pound lately and loving it!

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adhomebrew10

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Interesting... So close to a 50/50 between mash/sparge may give some more efficiency? Also thinking about doing a 90 minute mash because my crush isn't ideal.

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Traditions Brewing Company
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Yooper

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Yes, I think getting equal runnings is a good plan. If you have any iodine (or Iodophor) you can test for conversion. Even with a poor crush, most mashes convert long before 60 minutes is up, unless using a lot of adjuncts.

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DeafSmith

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Here's some info you might find useful:

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=Batch_Sparging_Analysis