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- Nov 6, 2008
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Here is my plan for my first AG next weekend. It's mostly Bobby_M's double batch sparge technique brewed in a bag. I have a 10 gallon pot and a 5 and 10 gallon coolers. I've done basically this same thing for 3 PMs with good results.
1: Run grains through mill, collect in bag in 5 gallon bucket.
2: Heat strike water to about 175. I've been using about 1.5 qts/lb of grain. I know 1.25 may be more standard, but there have been threads about using more. I don't know any better, so I split the difference.
3: Add strike water to 5 gallon cooler. Wait 5-10 minutes and check temp. Should be about 168. Add grains in bag. Mix/stir well. Check temp again after 5-10 minutes, shooting for about 152. Let sit for an hour.
4: While I'm waiting, heat about 6 gallons of water to 180 degrees and transfer to 10 gallon cooler. Check temp in cooler, should be 175 or so.
5: I don't know if it matters or not (since I'm using a bag), but I collect the first quart or so and put it back in the top. Then I lift the bag up and drain the water into the brew kettle.
6: Shooting for a total volume of 7 gallons (for a 5.5 gallon batch), I subtract the volume of the first runnings from 7 and divide by 2 to give the volume of each of my two batch sparges.
7: I add this volume of water from the 10 gallon cooler to the 5 gallon cooler (with the grain bag). Mix well. Wait 10 minutes and drain into brew kettle.
8: Repeat step 7 with the second half of the sparge water.
9: While I'm sparging, I can start to bring the runnings to a boil in the brew kettle.
Do you see any problems with this technique? I think it's ok since it's really only a minor variation of batch sprarging methods that I've read about here.
I'm also interested in thoughts about the temp of the sparge water and the volume (qts/lb grain) of the initial strike water.
Thanks
1: Run grains through mill, collect in bag in 5 gallon bucket.
2: Heat strike water to about 175. I've been using about 1.5 qts/lb of grain. I know 1.25 may be more standard, but there have been threads about using more. I don't know any better, so I split the difference.
3: Add strike water to 5 gallon cooler. Wait 5-10 minutes and check temp. Should be about 168. Add grains in bag. Mix/stir well. Check temp again after 5-10 minutes, shooting for about 152. Let sit for an hour.
4: While I'm waiting, heat about 6 gallons of water to 180 degrees and transfer to 10 gallon cooler. Check temp in cooler, should be 175 or so.
5: I don't know if it matters or not (since I'm using a bag), but I collect the first quart or so and put it back in the top. Then I lift the bag up and drain the water into the brew kettle.
6: Shooting for a total volume of 7 gallons (for a 5.5 gallon batch), I subtract the volume of the first runnings from 7 and divide by 2 to give the volume of each of my two batch sparges.
7: I add this volume of water from the 10 gallon cooler to the 5 gallon cooler (with the grain bag). Mix well. Wait 10 minutes and drain into brew kettle.
8: Repeat step 7 with the second half of the sparge water.
9: While I'm sparging, I can start to bring the runnings to a boil in the brew kettle.
Do you see any problems with this technique? I think it's ok since it's really only a minor variation of batch sprarging methods that I've read about here.
I'm also interested in thoughts about the temp of the sparge water and the volume (qts/lb grain) of the initial strike water.
Thanks