Batch sparging and vorlauf??

[chungking]

Is there any point in vorlaufing when you batch sparge? Cause you are stirring the whole time. Just wondering?

 

[LuiInIdaho]

Is there any point in vorlaufing when you batch sparge? Cause you are stirring the whole time. Just wondering?

I ALWAYS vorlauf and I always batch sparge. It helps the grain bed to settle and filter out grain particles. After completing the first runnings, I add my sparge water, stir up the grain bed, vorlauf again to settle the bed, then drain the mash tun for the second runnings.

I hope this helps. Mark

 

[BigRedHopHead]

Unless you want about a quart of particle filled wort I would vorlauf. I always seem to get particles flowing out for the first quart.

 

[chungking]

Is this going to affect the end product? Not vorlaufing I mean...

 

[Bamsdealer]

I do it just because it only takes a minute, but it shouldn't really. The guys who steep grains or brew in a bag end up with all that stuff in their wort and still make great brews

 

[Bobby_M]

What do you mean by "stirring the whole time"? You stir the sparge water in really well, then you vorlauf, then you drain. Repeat if necessary.

 

[chungking]

I unfortunately kept getting a stuck sparge, so I had to keep stirring to keep it going. I have a braided hose in my mash tun. Anyway to keep it from getting stuck?

 

[billl]

A couple handfuls of rice hulls do wonders.

Also, if you don't have some reinforcement in your braid (eg spiral wire), it can easily compress and cause issues.

 

[Bobby_M]

Make sure you actually have a stainless steel wire braid there and not a plastic look-alike. Did you prick your finger trying to get the interior hose out?

 

[stevek767]

Is there any point in vorlaufing when you batch sparge? Cause you are stirring the whole time. Just wondering?

Chungking,

I batch sparge and don't vorlauf after either the first runnings or the batch sparge.

However, to prevent getting any junk in the runnings, I run it thru a filtered plastic funnel when I drain.

This catches any junk and helps with not disturbing the grain bed when I was pouring the vorlauf back into the mash tun.

Hope this helps.

Steve