batch sparge or fly sparge

i am trying to figure out if i should use my lauter tun attatched to my sparge arm in the mash tun to sparge. my understanding is that i adjust the flows so that i am keeping about 1 inch of water above the grain bed througout the sparge. when all the water in the lauter tun is gone then i drain the mash tun and boil.

now i am reading about Batch sparging where you completely drain the mash tun, then add more hot water to the mash tun, wait, then drain it again. is this correct?

which one should i do for the first time and can someone give me a link to a step by step on the best sparge technique. also, can someone point me in the right direction as far as ph and iodine testing goes? dammit this all grain better be worth it!!!!

I'd go with batch sparging. It takes less time and is more fool proof for the new brewer. Many seasoned AG brewers still batch sparge.

Visit BobbyM's site Home Page and read his AG primer. It details his double batch sparge method which is simple and effective. As for Ph testing, I can't help. Honestly, I've never tested for PH or conversion, and have always made beer.

Been done to death.
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Bottom line- it doesn't matter.

I can tell you a lot of folks here can give advice on either technique, but I personally batch sparge due to the need of less equipment and great tutorial type threads like bobby's

You can find my info about batch sparging at dennybrew

thanks for the help everyone. and remember, the point at which you think you know the most, is exactly when you know the least.

blackwaterbrewer said:

when all the water in the lauter tun is gone then i drain the mash tun and boil.

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Hmmm, I don't drain the mash tun at the end. When the water is gone in the HLT I generally have 6.5 gallons at that point. I wonder if that is why my efficiency sucks.

joety said:

Hmmm, I don't drain the mash tun at the end. When the water is gone in the HLT I generally have 6.5 gallons at that point. I wonder if that is why my efficiency sucks.

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It could certainly be a factor.

Hey Denny, surprising to see you posting in this thread.

bull8042 said:

Hey Denny, surprising to see you posting in this thread.

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Yeah, imagine that!