I finished my first all-grain this past weekend using a batch sparge. My mash-in temperature after adding all the grain and mixing was about right at 155F. After an hour I started draining the wort which proceeded at a snails pace. Very shortly, the temperature of the grain-bed had dropped to 150F. Obviously it would have dropped even further so I started adding near boiling water to the top in an attempt to raise it back up. After about 1 1/2 hours I added the remaining sparge water at 170F and finished.
Question: I this even a concern? Does the temperature of the grainbed need to be maintained at or above the mash temperature throughout the initial wort draining or can I just drain and forget it as long as the following batch sparges are conducted hot?
Question: I this even a concern? Does the temperature of the grainbed need to be maintained at or above the mash temperature throughout the initial wort draining or can I just drain and forget it as long as the following batch sparges are conducted hot?