I've searched on the forums and couldn't find a definitive "How to Batch Sparge" thread. I did my first AG Pilsener and so far it tastes mighty fine eventhough it's green. I had a question on exactly how to batch sparge. This is what I did can someone help me because my efficiency sucked. I only ended up with 4.5 gal post boil. My mash water was 14 gal. and my sparge water was 5 gal.
I had 11 lbs of grain and mashed for 75 min after a decoction. I then added everything to a Zapap lauter tun. The first runnings were coming out rather quickly as I had no way of slowing down the flow. I recirculated the first runnings until the wort was flowing without any solid particles, but it was cloudy (is this okay?). I then began to add it to my boiling kettle. While it was flowing into my boiling kettle, 5 added about 5 gallons of 175F water to the lauter tun in 1 gallon intervals. I ended up collecting about 5.5-6.5 gal of wort, I couldn't tell. Post boil I ended up with 4.5 gal. The beer is REAL tasty, but I'm pissed that there's not more of it. What can I do differently?
Since then, I've converted a Home Depot 5 Gal. drink cooler into a MLT with a ball valve to slow down the flow hoping that this will improve my efficiency. Please give any insights you can! Thanks everyone!
I had 11 lbs of grain and mashed for 75 min after a decoction. I then added everything to a Zapap lauter tun. The first runnings were coming out rather quickly as I had no way of slowing down the flow. I recirculated the first runnings until the wort was flowing without any solid particles, but it was cloudy (is this okay?). I then began to add it to my boiling kettle. While it was flowing into my boiling kettle, 5 added about 5 gallons of 175F water to the lauter tun in 1 gallon intervals. I ended up collecting about 5.5-6.5 gal of wort, I couldn't tell. Post boil I ended up with 4.5 gal. The beer is REAL tasty, but I'm pissed that there's not more of it. What can I do differently?
Since then, I've converted a Home Depot 5 Gal. drink cooler into a MLT with a ball valve to slow down the flow hoping that this will improve my efficiency. Please give any insights you can! Thanks everyone!