Let's suppose I am making an Ordinary Bitter and mashing 8 lbs, capacity is not a problem and I am batch sparging. Which technique is most efficient and why?
A. Mash with 2 quarts per pound, collect 3 gallons and sparge with 3 gallons; or
B. Mash in at 1.5 quarts per pound and collect about 2 gallons and sparge with 4 gallons.
C. It doesn't matter since we are Batch Sparging and rinsing the grains, thus, the yield is the same.
My guess is that the thinner mash (Option A) extracts more sugar because the water has more time with the grain, but this is one of those questions better left for experts.
A. Mash with 2 quarts per pound, collect 3 gallons and sparge with 3 gallons; or
B. Mash in at 1.5 quarts per pound and collect about 2 gallons and sparge with 4 gallons.
C. It doesn't matter since we are Batch Sparging and rinsing the grains, thus, the yield is the same.
My guess is that the thinner mash (Option A) extracts more sugar because the water has more time with the grain, but this is one of those questions better left for experts.