Beertoven and I just had a little sidebar in an unsuspecting recipe thread about batch sparge methodology. If you've seen my all grain page (www.suebob.com/brew/allgrain.htm) you know that I like to use a hot double sparge in lieu of doing a pre-runnings mash out infusion. The reason I do this, and recommend it, is that I've tried a few methods and have had best results. However, I've never tested it with more controls and data points. It's been generally empirical, but variables can get the best of you. I don't want to keep advocating something that may be errent.
I'm constructing an experiment using 3 samples. All will be mashed at the same time for the same duration/temp (sitting in a common water bath to prevent drift). The sparge will use exactly the same volume so all three preboil volumes will be identical. The variables:
1. Pre-running mash out infusion at enough volume to raise mash to 168F, drain, infuse remaining sparge volume @ 168F and drain. (MOSS)
2. Full drain, full volume sparge infusion at 180F, drain. (NMOSS)
3. Full drain, half volume sparge infusion at 180F, drain, second half volume, drain. (NMODS)
Compare OG. Highest wins. Debate solved... heh, yeah right.
What I expect is that #3 will be the highest efficiency, somewhere around 94% followed closely by #1 at about 91%, then #2 at about 85%.
No, it's not touching on fly sparging, wort quality, hot side aeration or tannin extraction. It's just about maximizing batch sparge efficiency. Waste of time or interesting? Thoughts?
I'm constructing an experiment using 3 samples. All will be mashed at the same time for the same duration/temp (sitting in a common water bath to prevent drift). The sparge will use exactly the same volume so all three preboil volumes will be identical. The variables:
1. Pre-running mash out infusion at enough volume to raise mash to 168F, drain, infuse remaining sparge volume @ 168F and drain. (MOSS)
2. Full drain, full volume sparge infusion at 180F, drain. (NMOSS)
3. Full drain, half volume sparge infusion at 180F, drain, second half volume, drain. (NMODS)
Compare OG. Highest wins. Debate solved... heh, yeah right.
What I expect is that #3 will be the highest efficiency, somewhere around 94% followed closely by #1 at about 91%, then #2 at about 85%.
No, it's not touching on fly sparging, wort quality, hot side aeration or tannin extraction. It's just about maximizing batch sparge efficiency. Waste of time or interesting? Thoughts?