10 Gal MLT troubles to avoid

[Mojzis]

I'm pretty new to brewing in general. Never have done an extract recipe just about 5 AG's so far. But I figured I would share something I found to be a pain in the a**.
A while ago I built a circular rubber-maid 10 gal MLT with a stainless steel braid at the bottom for a filter. A month or so ago I made a hefeweizen and ended up with a stuck sparge (the first two batches worked fine). It was stuck even though I added rice hull. Long story short the sparge took atleast an hour after the initial strike water. The beer didn't turn out so great it tastes slightly watered down. I figured the sparge was jammed up by the amount of wheat.
A few weeks ago I attempted a summer ale after replacing the plastic food grade tubing inside of the braid. I had originally put it there for increased strength and filtration. Once again I had a stuck sparge. Then to make things worse the stove heating element broke. Gravity reading was way off. I'm hoping this comes out okay...
Next batch I did that same day and removed the plastic tubing and it worked! Everything went as planned even though my efficiency is slightly lower than what I wanted.
I just wanted to warn anyone who puts tubing inside of the braid...I recommend against this. I'm just hoping to save someone else from my experienced troubles

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes sir...with the proper stainless braid, the best thing to put inside is nothing, only wort!

 

[oakbarn]

I got a SS spring from Mc Master Carr to put inside. Works great.

 

[bbrim]

I built a simple copper manifold and saw an efficiency jump of 8-10% and I can drain that thing super fast. If the SS braid gives you any more troubles it is something to think about!

 

[Mojzis]

I'm thinking it's either too hot or too much grain weight on that tubing. Is there somewhere I can find a picture of the type of copper manifold you built bbrim?

 

[bellam87]

I just used a piece of stainless tig welding wire and wound it to the same diameter as my braid. It works great

 

[Mojzis]

That is the plastic tubing anyway, not the braid. The braid works just fine on its own like wilserbrewer said.

 

[bja]

I built a simple copper manifold and saw an efficiency jump of 8-10% and I can drain that thing super fast. If the SS braid gives you any more troubles it is something to think about!

Since you said you can drain super fast, you're obviously batch sparging, in which case efficiency will not be effected one bit by changing from a braid to a manifold or vice versa.

The change in efficiency you saw was from something else you did differently.

 

[ak-71]

I just used a piece of stainless tig welding wire and wound it to the same diameter as my braid. It works great

View attachment 62254

Same here. I don't know what SS wire was for, but I made a loose "spring" to keep braid from collapsing and have no problems. I had a slow sparge with wheat, but it was caused by a mess on the top of the grain bed (proteins from wheat I assume), not the braid.

 

[bbrim]

Since you said you can drain super fast, you're obviously batch sparging, in which case efficiency will not be effected one bit by changing from a braid to a manifold or vice versa.

The change in efficiency you saw was from something else you did differently.

Actually no. I runs a RIMS system and fly sparge. I'm down to about the 20 min range to drain my MLT and I hit 78-82% efficiency. I run a thin mash and recirculate continuously, I think that is what gets so much of the sugar in solution.
I will try to get a picture this weekend.

 

[kh54s10]

I once thought I was having a stuck sparge because there was still liquid above the grain. I poked a couple of holes in the surface of the grain and the liquid immediately drained!

Some kind of layer of very fine particles at the top of the grain bed.

 

[bja]

Actually no. I runs a RIMS system and fly sparge. I'm down to about the 20 min range to drain my MLT and I hit 78-82% efficiency. I run a thin mash and recirculate continuously, I think that is what gets so much of the sugar in solution.
I will try to get a picture this weekend.

This would've been nice to know in your first post.

In that case, you had issues with channeling. Completely understandable with a braid.

 

[Mojzis]

I batch sparge. I did try making holes in the grain bed but that didn't help. I had to use a ladle and continuously move it back and forth. It took about an hour after my 60 minute mash. I think i'll try that SS spring. I feel like the braid is too flimsy without one...I'd hate to crush it one day when i'm being clumsy.

 

[Mojzis]

Also, I weighted down the other end of the braid with a brass plug. I used a zip tie to hold it in place. Sadly I flushed it when I was cleaning the MLT. I bought a new one and drilled a hole through the braid and brass plug with a drill press. Then bought a brass screw and nut to hold it together no matter what. I don't know what everyone else uses, but I thought it helps secure that plug pretty well.

 

[tre9er]

Sometimes (if I don't use rice hulls) I find I need to add some more sparge water and/or stir and re-vorlauf. The flow rate is best at first. Perhaps try running off more slowly, too, so that the suction isn't too great that it clogs the manifold/braid.

 

[bja]

Also, I weighted down the other end of the braid with a brass plug. I used a zip tie to hold it in place. Sadly I flushed it when I was cleaning the MLT. I bought a new one and drilled a hole through the braid and brass plug with a drill press. Then bought a brass screw and nut to hold it together no matter what. I don't know what everyone else uses, but I thought it helps secure that plug pretty well.

A stainless steel hose clamp has worked well for me for the last 3 years.