Constant Stuck Sparges with Copper Manifold

[barhoc11]

I deal with filtration systems in my line of work. The manifold system you've built is very similar to ones I have in some large sand filters. Your discharge tube is higher than your manifold and I'm betting it's higher than your outlet hose. It's possible that it's getting airbound. Once a small amount of liquid passes through to the outlet an air bubble gets trapped in the discharge tube and binds the fluids from leaving the tank even though there is much more liquid above the outlet height. Try drilling a hole in the top of the discharge tube. It should vent the air out. I'd do it next to the outlet, that way you can tilt it towards the outlet when you get down to the last inch or so of sweet. Once it's above the liquid level you it will not drain anyway. If you could turn the tee and the 45 around and go straight to the outlet you could probably avoid getting airbound and be able to tilt it to get that last inch or so more smoothly. Hope this helps.

Interesting idea, I do notice that when i start to get a stuck sparge, I get a lot of bubbles in my drain tube and then the flow gradually trickles to nothing.

I appreciate your comment but is there a way you can summarize what the issue I have might be so an idiot like myself can understand? I do not get how air could be getting into the flow as you mention. Also, this does not happen when I have no grain in the MLT, does that matter?

 

[Stirs]

Interesting idea, I do notice that when i start to get a stuck sparge, I get a lot of bubbles in my drain tube and then the flow gradually trickles to nothing.

I appreciate your comment but is there a way you can summarize what the issue I have might be so an idiot like myself can understand? I do not get how air could be getting into the flow as you mention. Also, this does not happen when I have no grain in the MLT, does that matter?

lol, most all liquids have a certain amount of dissolved oxygen in it that can separate and get trapped in the discharge tube. Your tube turns up and then back down. I may be wrong, but if you vent it at the top or shorten the tube between the 45 and the outlet, it may keep it from sticking. Turning the 45 around and going straight to the outlet would allow you to drain that last inch of sweet by tilting it. As it is, you can't tilt it towards the outlet, because you are drawing from the opposite side.

 

[rustym]

Mine is almost like yours and I've never had a stuck sparge.


I used a dremel to cut the slots. I used a braid before this and hated it. I would say your crush is the culprit.

 

[dan6310]

When I had my manifold, I would get stuck sparges If I had my valve set at 1/2 way while connected to a march pump. 1/4 turn was ideal. I switched to a bazooka screen and now I can go 1/2 turn during the mash recirculation with no issues. Come sparge time I still drop it down to 1/4 turn and hit 75-78% efficiency consistently.

 

[swackattack]

Mine is similar but outlet is in the center. Never got stuck. Just a little slow once

 

[govner1]

When I had my manifold, I would get stuck sparges If I had my valve set at 1/2 way while connected to a march pump. 1/4 turn was ideal. I switched to a bazooka screen and now I can go 1/2 turn during the mash recirculation with no issues. Come sparge time I still drop it down to 1/4 turn and hit 75-78% efficiency consistently.

I use a copper manifold in a 7 1/2 gal mash run w/ a center outflow. One thing I found was the need for a few holes on the top(in the corners) to help w/ flow & avoid "airlocks".

 

[barhoc11]

I use a copper manifold in a 7 1/2 gal mash run w/ a center outflow. One thing I found was the need for a few holes on the top(in the corners) to help w/ flow & avoid "airlocks".

Any chance you can give more details on how you added a few holes on the top in the corners?

 

[barhoc11]

Mine is almost like yours and I've never had a stuck sparge.


I used a dremel to cut the slots. I used a braid before this and hated it. I would say your crush is the culprit.

I went ahead and widened my slots to be a little wider like yours, I think this might help.

 

[govner1]

A small drill

 

[barhoc11]

A small drill

Where did you add the holes, any chance you have a picture of this?

 

[govner1]

No pictures on hand but as I said earlier, I put a hole on the top at each of the corner joints.

 

[barhoc11]

I just wanted to update this thread as I just got done sparging WITH NO STUCK SPARGES today. I am making a hefeweizen so I thought for sure I would get a stuck sparge but it looks like increasing the size of my slots in the manifold seemed to do the trick. I do notice that my vorleaf took longer than normal and that may have been because of the 60% wheat bill but this looks promising. I am going to try to get another brew on the books soon and see if this is the real deal or not but I am very happy. I think this was my first brew in 9-12 months that didn't have a stuck sparge.

Thanks everyone