collecting wort

[killian]

does any one collect all of their runnings before starting the boil? right now I only have one burner so while heating the sparge water for my second batch sparge I have no way to start the boil. does it matter that I collect all of the runnings before starting the boil?

thanks

 

[user 4295]

I collect all of my runnings first. Never even thought of starting the boil until I have my full volume.

 

[Muss]

Is there a disadvantage in starting to boil the mash wort while you wait for the sparging?

 

[Shadow]

Not really any disadvantage. Some people like to have a burner under their kettle so they can start heating the wort as it comes out of the sparge so that it boils faster, but I too have never even thought about it.... my brewrey only has one burner, though my hot liquor tank is electric.

 

[Bobby_M]

My BK is my HLT and only heatable vessel so I have to collect the wort in a bucket until my last batch sparge water comes out of the BK. Certainly getting first runnings on heat immediately takes time off the brewday though and I'm looking forward to it when I get the brewstand done.

I was draining my sparge water from the BK into a bucket so that I could start heating wort, but if your sparge temp falls too quickly, you're screwed.

 

[Orfy]

I always put my first runnings in the kettle and fire up whilst I make my second sparge edition.

 

[seansbrew]

Get another burner, it will make life a little easier. I start my kettle up as soon as I start the sparge, this cuts down on the time it takes to boil.

On this particular day one of my pumps died. I had to use gravity for my sparge, and a pump for the run-off into the kettle.

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[boo boo]

Yeah, I need another burner. I think.

 

[killian]

me too. brewed 10 gallons of ed worts haus pale ale yesterday, 1 burner = alot of waiting.

 

[Lil' Sparky]

I was able to do 2 AG batches back-to-back in 5 hrs 20 mins. At one point I had all 3 burners going. :rockin: I hate to think how long it would've taken with only a single burner!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=32200

 

[EvilTOJ]

Because I'm a miser with my propane, what I do is heat my first and second spage water on the stove (it's electric and I love it!) in two 5 gallon brewpots while I wait for the mash. When I drain the runnings, I start the boil on the propane burner, then add one of the pots of water to the mash for the sparge. Seems to save me some time and trips to the store for propane.

 

[Professor Frink]

That's the way I do it too, my first runnings heating on the burner while I heat my sparge water inside. I only wish my deck wasn't on the first floor while my condo is on the second. Better than a stairmaster I guess

 

[killian]

does any one have plans for building a brew tree or a three tier metal stand? I will defanetly need all three tiers to have burners. I am getting tired of lifting 13 gallons of liquid.

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Here's a pic of the one I built. I've got some more pics here: http://www.the-sparkmans.net/Photo Gallery/Brew Stuff/Brew Stand/index.html

I built it with some scrap steel I got for free, so the total cost was < $100. It's not the prettiest thing, but it's my best friend on brew day.

I can send you all the measurements if you want them.

 

[FlyGuy]

Yeah, I need another burner. I think.

A really cheap and easy solution is to use a cooler as an HLT. I heat my sparge water during the mash and transfer it to my cooler HLT. This allows you to free up the burner when the first runnings are lautered.

 

[CBBaron]

I have a 30qt turkey fryer for a brew kettle. By boiling the first runnings I can get my worst hot break out of the way with a half empty pot. By the time I get my kettle full with two additional sparges I have gotten two hot breaks and there is much less chance of a boil over. It also allows me to boil off some of the volume early allowing more head room in the kettle.
I heat my sparge (and mash) water on my stove in a 20qt canner, which frees up the propane for the brew kettle.
Craig