Clogged drain line on Mash tun

[jalc6927]

Had my drain line running from elbow on false bottom to the valve clog up with grain this weekend, was a pain in the butt

I had to pour the whole thing into fermenter then remove and clear the line

What would cause this to happen?

My 5th batch and hasn't happened before

Thanks

 

[diS]

Hard to tell from here, I had clogged mlt when doing decoction, due to high mash temperature.
It could be false bottom or mlt design, too fine grist, mash temperature.. any changes from usual setup?

 

[triethylborane]

Grain bill? Lots of wheat and some oats maybe?

 

[jalc6927]

It's an Octoberfest, and don't think I changed much?

The only thing I think that was different was I opened the valve all the way instead of slowly, but sure that makes any difference

 

[triethylborane]

Dunno. I toss in 0.25lb rice hulls with every recipe, never had a stuck mash.

 

[Qhrumphf]

If you just opened it full bore right away you may have compacted the bed and pulled enough vacuum to stop flow.

In the event of a clog, a narrow wood skewer through the valve and tubing can often unclog without having to actually move the mash. Backflushing a bit can work too. Makes sure to vorlauf after though.

 

[jalc6927]

Thanks all

 

[Dr_Jeff]

compressed air works too

 

[doug293cz]

Maybe get a bag to fit your MLT. With a bag, no grain can get below your FB to clog the dip tube. Can also make clean up easier. Quite a few people do this. Wilser will make you a bag custom fit to your MLT for a very reasonable price.

Brew on

 

[Qhrumphf]

I don't like using air. It's popped fittings before.

 

[jalc6927]

I have procured a bag from mike wilser and will use it Sunday

 

[jalc6927]

Bag worked great won't do another brew without it

 

[illin8]

If you have a pump just reverse the flow for a bit back up through MLT output