KingBrianI
Well-Known Member
So I've been doing all grain for a while but can't seem to get one particular element ironed out: the vorlauf. I mash in a 10 gallon rubbermaid cooler with a stainless false bottom. No matter how much I manually recirculate, it won't seem to run clear. The method I use is to run off wort into a pitcher, then carefully pour the wort on top of the mash, trying not to disturb the grain bed. I've attempted this by pouring into a collander, into a bowl inside a collander, on a plate in the mash, on an upside-down plate in the mash, on a pie tin with holes punched in it, and several more I'm probably forgetting. Nothing seems to work. How is everyone else adding the wort back to the mash? After I recirculate the full pitcher (2 qt) about 8-10 times I give up and begin running off into the kettle. I've taken to putting a nylon mesh bag on the hose to catch all the big stuff, but all the little particles make it through. I didn't think it was affecting the beer, but I recieved a couple mentions of astringeny in the HBT contest so maybe the particles making it into the boil are causing problems. How do I get it to run clear??!