The basic problem is that I frequently run into the situation when doing infusion mashes that I just run out of "spare" volume if I want to hit my pre-boil volume accurately. For example, suppose I want to collect 12 L for a 10 L half batch (my stove boils off 2 L/hr)...
Batch size: 10 L
Boil size: 12 L
Grain: 2.551 kg
==Mash profile==
67 C conversion infusion - 7.143 L @ 73 C ( 2.8 L/kg thickness)
80 C mashout infusion - 7.500 L @ 100 C
Total collected wort: 7.143 L + 7.5 L - 2.551 L = 12.1 L
No room for a sparge if I do a mashout. Similarly, if I want to add in a mash in or protein rest, I don't have enough spare volume to even get the mashout up to 80 C. How are you guys dealing with this? My options (I think) are 1) Do a really thick first infusion. 2) Do decoctions for some of the steps.
Batch size: 10 L
Boil size: 12 L
Grain: 2.551 kg
==Mash profile==
67 C conversion infusion - 7.143 L @ 73 C ( 2.8 L/kg thickness)
80 C mashout infusion - 7.500 L @ 100 C
Total collected wort: 7.143 L + 7.5 L - 2.551 L = 12.1 L
No room for a sparge if I do a mashout. Similarly, if I want to add in a mash in or protein rest, I don't have enough spare volume to even get the mashout up to 80 C. How are you guys dealing with this? My options (I think) are 1) Do a really thick first infusion. 2) Do decoctions for some of the steps.