When I batch sparge is it that important to use even amounts for both the strike water and the sparge water? If so, should the amount of strike water match the sparge water before or after grain absorption?
Are you saying using the same volume of water to sparge with as you mash with? Normally you'll sparge much much more than you mash with...
Sparge volume will affect efficiency. The more you sparge, the more extract you get in the kettle. I don't care about efficiency as long as it's pretty much consistent, so I typically single batch or no sparge to avoid husky, tannic flavors.
I think he means use 2 equal sized batch sparges, not make the sparge equal your first runnings, but I'm not sure.
+1 to that. i usually fly-sparge, but when i batch sparge, i do a single batch. i won't do anymore due to temp concerns and adding tannins.
I don't really look too much into making things equal. I just use a 1.25 qt/lb ratio when mashing and figure out how much sparge water I need to hit 6-6.25 gallons from that. It usually comes out to about 4 gallons in the sparge, which I split in half to do two 2 gal batch sparges.
Waitaminit....
I calculate 1.25 qts per lb of grains then I sparge with my mash that's my first runnings. Then I add the same amount I added to mash with to do my second runnings.
Is this the right way?
good post BTW
Yes, that means that there will be 3 equal runnings- 1/3 out of the mash/ 1/3 out of the first batch sparge/ 1/3 out of the second batch sparge. That would be the ideal way to reach the boil volume with a batch sparge.
It really doesn't have to be exact, though. In my case I heat my sparge water inside on the stove using two different size SS pots. I use the big one for the first sparge and the smaller one for the second. The most important thing is to stir a lot. Plus or minus a quart or so between the sparge volumes won't make any difference.
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