First AG Day

So I'm making the jump to AG. I'm brewing an Oberon clone that was put together by one of my lhbs with a beersmith printout. My equipment is; 10 gal SS brewpot, 7 1/2 gal SS brewpot, 10 gal rubbermaid round cooler w/false bottom, & a blichman burner. I've read alot and put together a list of steps. Just looking for opinions on if the steps are correct. The steps are:
Pre-heat MT
Heat strike water to 167.7 (beersmith)
Add strike water to MT
Mash in grains and stir like crazy
Check temp ~ 152
Close up MT & sit for 60 minutes
Drain MT
Heat sparge water to 168 (beersmith)
Add sparge water 1st time let sit for ~ 10 minutes, Do I stir when I add?
Drain MT
Add sparge water 2nd time let sit for ~ 10 minutes
Drain MT
Start boil.

Thanks in advance. Love this site.

 

I would keep some of the sparge water boiling on the side in case you miss your mash temp.
When you drain you should vorlauf (collect the runnings in a separate container until it runs clear, then add the cloudy wort back to the MT).
You don't need to wait 10 minutes for each sparge...but it couldn't hurt.
When I drain the MT I let it drip dry for about 15 minutes to get it all, you will need to tilt it usually.
You can go hotter on the sparge water, I usually got to 185 to keep the grain bed hot and sparge easier.

 

Thanks. What about stirring when sparging? Also should I check the temp 30 minutes after the strike water was added?

 

I stir it like crazy! Then let it sit for a few minutes, vorlauf, then drain.

 

If the lid is on, you will not lose more then a degree or two. I have stirred during the mash, and achieved 70%, I have not stirred during the mash and achieved 70%, it is not necessary, stir at mash in until arm falls off, or you are at strike temperature, stir like crazy after each batch sparge, you will be good.