I'm relatively new to AG brewing and have been using methods that would probably make many here cringe. Still, the results are good so I'd be interested to hear opinions on whether switching to more "serious" methods or tools would be worth the efforts and cost.
- I'm using a voile bag for mashing, and instead of an insulated mash tun I'm simply using the pot with an improvised false bottom. I'm heating the water to 69°c/156°f, then I turn the flame off, put the bag with grains in, give it a healthy stir and cover the pot. Every 20 minutes or so, when the temperature drops to around 64°c/147°f I lift the bag up using a pulley, turn the flame on until I hit 69°c/156°f again (while stirring the wort), then turn it off and put the bag back in.
- After mashing, I use a garden hose for sparging. I just lift the bag up, and hose the top of the bag with cold water from different angles. When I reach the intended pre-boil volume I stop, turn up the heat and start the boiling stage.
I'm getting OG that is close to what it should be according to the recipes, so I guess efficiency is not as bad as one would assume with these poor man's methods. The resulting beer is typically very good. The question is, am I missing a whole lot by not using a proper mash tun and proper sparging technique? What improvements should I expect by doing things "right"?
- I'm using a voile bag for mashing, and instead of an insulated mash tun I'm simply using the pot with an improvised false bottom. I'm heating the water to 69°c/156°f, then I turn the flame off, put the bag with grains in, give it a healthy stir and cover the pot. Every 20 minutes or so, when the temperature drops to around 64°c/147°f I lift the bag up using a pulley, turn the flame on until I hit 69°c/156°f again (while stirring the wort), then turn it off and put the bag back in.
- After mashing, I use a garden hose for sparging. I just lift the bag up, and hose the top of the bag with cold water from different angles. When I reach the intended pre-boil volume I stop, turn up the heat and start the boiling stage.
I'm getting OG that is close to what it should be according to the recipes, so I guess efficiency is not as bad as one would assume with these poor man's methods. The resulting beer is typically very good. The question is, am I missing a whole lot by not using a proper mash tun and proper sparging technique? What improvements should I expect by doing things "right"?