Batch Sparging vs Fly Sparging

[dhelegda]

I have two 5 gallon water coolers that I use to all grain brew with. I usually place a spaghetti strainer over the top of the grains and put the hose inside the strainer turn the water on and let it trickle over the grains. I have been reading a lot about sparging it seem that batch sparging may be better. Thoughts?


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[estricklin]

This is highly debatable, and there are many threads on the subject already. I will say, I cannot, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, understand why anyone would want to go through the trouble of mixing up the grain bed and resetting it 2-3 times when they could just do it once and walk away, and then try to say batch sparging is somehow easier, or quicker. I've just never been able to wrap my mind around it.

Get yourself a good false bottom and fly sparge. Save yourself the countless hours of reading debates on the subject.

Many others will disagree with me, in that I am OK.

 

[insanim8er]

Ya, this thread will start a debate.

They both have pros and cons

I fly because I can and I get better efficiency.

If I want to save time in a brew day, ill batch.

Fly sparge requires you to watch the water flow unless you have a system that stops and starts the water for you. (What I'm working on building). Fly sparging also takes a lot longer because you have to run the water slow.

Batch allows you dump the water fast. You then fill the mash and walk away and come backhand drain again. So it's a lot easier and faster, but it generally lessens the efficiency.

 

[Beergnomes]

This is highly debatable, and there are many threads on the subject already. I will say, I cannot, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, understand why anyone would want to go through the trouble of mixing up the grain bed and resetting it 2-3 times when they could just do it once and walk away, and then try to say batch sparging is somehow easier, or quicker. I've just never been able to wrap my mind around it.

Get yourself a good false bottom and fly sparge. Save yourself the countless hours of reading debates on the subject.

Many others will disagree with me, in that I am OK.

I batch sparge with a false bottom and find it very easy. I set the bed once, not three times. Were you referring to a step mash? Batch sparging produces very good quality. Arguably better quality than fly sparging. I gravity feed from my mash tun into two 2 quart pitchers alternating until it runs clear, setting the bed as I go, usually about 3 or 4 fills total. Then just let it run into the kettle. Certainly will not hurt to try it and then compare.

 

[insanim8er]

I batch sparge with a false bottom and find it very easy. I set the bed once, not three times. Were you referring to a step mash? Batch sparging produces very good quality. Arguably better quality than fly sparging. I gravity feed from my mash tun into two 2 quart pitchers alternating until it runs clear, setting the bed as I go, usually about 3 or 4 fills total. Then just let it run into the kettle. Certainly will not hurt to try it and then compare.

It's not about quality. It's about efficiency (how much sugar was converted) batch sparge doesn't allow for the grain to get fully rinsed of the residual sugar.

Fly sparge uses clean water to wash the sugar. If done properly, it will give you better efficency. But you pay by having a longer brew day.

 

[garcia]

I don't brew for efficiency or quality, I brew for fun. I like the beer I make, but most important it is a hobby to me.

After a long week of work, sometimes I just want to brew while I drink some beer that is ready (or almost ready)

My advice, find the one that is the least stressful to you. In my case it is batch sparge. Last brew, my friends brought over some Dos XX and a whole assortment of BMC. The next day, HB was gone and the beer they brought was untouched inside the fridge. That put a smile on my face.

 

[estricklin]

I batch sparge with a false bottom and find it very easy. I set the bed once, not three times. Were you referring to a step mash? Batch sparging produces very good quality. Arguably better quality than fly sparging. I gravity feed from my mash tun into two 2 quart pitchers alternating until it runs clear, setting the bed as I go, usually about 3 or 4 fills total. Then just let it run into the kettle. Certainly will not hurt to try it and then compare.

Others may correct me if I'm wrong but I think a step mash is referring to mashing at more than one temperature.

If your only setting the grain bed once, your fly sparging!

 

[DoWBrewer]

I think both options work well if done correctly. You can get comparable efficiency. Until recently fly sparring was difficult with my setup, so I did mostly batch sparging. Try to work out how you will heat your water, where you will hold your water for the fly sparge and where you will hold your first runnings. You will need three vessels with either method. I ran off into a bucket until until I started using a three tier setup.

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[JustLooking]

Fly sparging is homebrewers trying to brew like the pros. On a homebrew scale it doesn't make sense. By not diluting the grain bed, a single batch sparge (or no sparge) has the potential to produce better beer. I'd bet that if it were practical to do on large scale brewing, some pros would batch sparge.

 

[RM-MN]

Ya, this thread will start a debate.

They both have pros and cons

I fly because I can and I get better efficiency.

If I want to save time in a brew day, ill batch.

Fly sparge requires you to watch the water flow unless you have a system that stops and starts the water for you. (What I'm working on building). Fly sparging also takes a lot longer because you have to run the water slow.

Batch allows you dump the water fast. You then fill the mash and walk away and come backhand drain again. So it's a lot easier and faster, but it generally lessens the efficiency.

Not all the options have been included here. I want to get great efficiency and at the same time I want a short brew day so I can do other things so I went with BIAB. Now I can get my 80% or better (usually better) efficiency and still have a short brew day.

 

[dhelegda]

Wow awesome conversation here...I think I am now more undecided on which is better...hahaha, but seriously thanks everyone, apparently I need to start a brewing journal and using a hydrometer. And figuring it out what works best for me.


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[Spookgolds]

I don't brew for efficiency or quality, I brew for fun. I like the beer I make, but most important it is a hobby to me.

After a long week of work, sometimes I just want to brew while I drink some beer that is ready (or almost ready)

My advice, find the one that is the least stressful to you. In my case it is batch sparge. Last brew, my friends brought over some Dos XX and a whole assortment of BMC. The next day, HB was gone and the beer they brought was untouched inside the fridge. That put a smile on my face.

Cheers to that

 

[Beergnomes]

It's not about quality. It's about efficiency (how much sugar was converted) batch sparge doesn't allow for the grain to get fully rinsed of the residual sugar.

Fly sparge uses clean water to wash the sugar. If done properly, it will give you better efficency. But you pay by having a longer brew day.

Thank you but I do understand that fly sparging gives you better efficiency, as I understand that batch sparging produces better quality. I still chose to batch sparge. It's a matter of personal preference so all I was saying was try both and chose.

 

[Beergnomes]

Others may correct me if I'm wrong but I think a step mash is referring to mashing at more than one temperature.

If your only setting the grain bed once, your fly sparging!

Yes that us how I understand a step mash as well. I was referring to someone saying you had to set the bed tree times to batch sparge and I was unsure what he meant by that.

 

[insanim8er]

Thank you but I do understand that fly sparging gives you better efficiency, as I understand that batch sparging produces better quality. I still chose to batch sparge. It's a matter of personal preference so all I was saying was try both and chose.

Well I'm glad you feel comfortable thinking batch sparging gives better quality wort... http://byo.com/beer-evaluation/item/1392-sparging-a-comparison-of-batch-vs-continuous

You should write the editor to have them retract that article.

Regardless, yes it does come down to personal preference. We all do what we do because it's our preference. However, the OP wasn't asking about personal preference.

 

[Beergnomes]

Wow awesome conversation here...I think I am now more undecided on which is better...hahaha, but seriously thanks everyone, apparently I need to start a brewing journal and using a hydrometer. And figuring it out what works best for me.


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I keep a journal and it does help. Not sure I want to waste beer on my hydrometer so I'll probably keep using the refractometer and calculate to alcohol conversion. Here is my real opinion. Either works do what makes you happy but I' m not selling beer. I'm not Budweiser or Coors so I don't need to maximize profit margins. The experts that I've read all say batch sparge is better quality and that's what I want. I buy the best grain and hops and still only pay 1.46 for a 20 oz beer and that includes the water that I buy.

 

[Beergnomes]

Well I'm glad you feel comfortable thinking batch sparging gives better quality wort... http://byo.com/beer-evaluation/item/1392-sparging-a-comparison-of-batch-vs-continuous

You should write the editor to have them retract that article.

Regardless, yes it does come down to personal preference. We all do what we do because it's our preference. However, the OP wasn't asking about personal preference.

That is not the only article published on the subject. I read several articles myself. I did not simply assume. I'll be happy to read the article you posted though.

 

[insanim8er]

I keep a journal and it does help. Not sure I want to waste beer on my hydrometer so I'll probably keep using the refractometer and calculate to alcohol conversion. Here is my real opinion. Either works do what makes you happy but I' m not selling beer. I'm not Budweiser or Coors so I don't need to maximize profit margins. The experts that I've read all say batch sparge is better quality and that's what I want. I buy the best grain and hops and still only pay 1.46 for a 20 oz beer and that includes the water that I buy.

Since you're so obsessed with quality wort, you should buy more grain and do no sparge brews.

Your probably talking about the possibility of better quality via batch due to the fact that fly sparging has a chance of extracting tannins.

But in general, if done properly, you would get better "quality" wort from fly sparging due to efficiency and clarity.

Anyway, I'm not getting into a debate over it. To each their own.

 

[Beergnomes]

Since you're so obsessed with quality wort, you should buy more grain and do no sparge brews.

Your probably talking about the possibility of better quality via batch due to the fact that fly sparging has a chance of extracting tannins.

But in general, if done properly, you would get better "quality" wort from fly sparging due to efficiency and clarity.

Anyway, I'm not getting into a debate over it. To each their own.

Trust me, I'm not obsessed. I merely said try both. You really seem to be extraordinarily "touchy" do you need a tissue? I guess it's true. You can't discuss sparging methods without someone getting their knickers in a knot. Peace out.

 

[insanim8er]

Trust me, I'm not obsessed. I merely said try both. You really seem to be extraordinarily "touchy" do you need a tissue? I guess it's true. You can't discuss sparging methods without someone getting their knickers in a knot. Peace out.

You got me... Grab me a tissue, so we can hug this out.

 

[Beergnomes]

View attachment 178139

You got me... Grab me a tissue, so we can hug this out.

Lmfao:fro: