False Bottom not working effectively

[dazsnow]

Hi all,

I've upgraded from a 20L homebrew system to a 200L system and used it for the first time the other day. I previously did boil-in-the-bag but for my new system I have a false bottom. For my first test I decided to try a half-batch. The problem was that several kilos of grain managed to get down beneath the false bottom, blocking the outlet and also clogging the pump with grain, preventing me from being about to recirculate or transfer to the boil kettle.

I've been thinking about what could have gone wrong and the possible solutions:
- maybe I need a full batch so that there's enough grain weight to compact the grain bed above the false bottom so that the grain at the bottom doesn't fall through the holes or the small gaps around the side
- maybe I turned on the pump before the grain had chance to settle which created a vacuum and sucked the grain down through the false bottom
- maybe I knocked the false bottom when doughing in

I'm thinking of putting a roll of muslin cloth around the edge of the false bottom to get a better seal against the edge of the tun. Maybe also put a layer of muslin cloth over the false bottom itself to provide an extra layer of filtering. Another idea is to put a steel scourer (like for scouring dishes) in the tun outlet to filter out more grain - I'm worried though that it will still clog up the outlet and restrict flow to the point that my self-priming magnetic-drive pump won't work or might cavitate...

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jaybird]

dazsnow

Post up a picture of the false bottom and the system your using. I might be able to shed a little light and help out.

Cheers
Jay

 

[dazsnow]

I just have these pictures for now, will take some photos of the mash tun today.

Clogged outlet:

False Bottom:

 

[aangel]

Those small gaps at the sides you mentioned - get rid of them. Maybe try a silicon gasket, maybe wedge-hammer a "ledge" into the inner wall of your mash tun, maybe ring the tun with silicon hose. There's a few ways to go at that. Your pore size on the bottom is definitely smaller than the grains that got through - it's the side wall gaps that are your problem.

 

[Jaybird]

A fundamental flaw of most false bottom systems. Not enough filtration under the false bottom. Grain is going to get through! Is not a matter of "IS" it but how do you deal with it "WHEN" it does. I am a firm believer you need more than just a false bottom to stop grain from getting in the drain. You need filtration plates under the bottom to stop the grain that is GOING to get through. I do have a simple additional stand you can use. We sell a boatload of them for the MoreBeer false bottom system that people buy. I am sure it will help your system as well.

Not sure of the diameter of your system but check this out

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/False_Bottom_Stand_Small.html

Simple and affective!

You may need a ring of tubing for your system as well if it doesn't fit right.

Shoot me a PM and I can help get you something that will absolutely assist in stopping the clogged drain madness.

Cheers
Jay

 

[olotti]

I have a jaybird false bottom and its so snug I have to literally push it down to fit into place and I still get some grain in my runoff. The work of jay is topnotch love my false bottom but when grain is milled some particles are just so small they will sneak in at least that's the way I look at it. I couldn't have a better fit for my false bottom so I look at particulate size as its just part of what happens. To rid that I just vorlouf a lot to really clear the wort and even then ya can't catch everything, I just leave that stuff when I transfer to the carboy.

 

[dazsnow]

Thanks. Silicon tubing is hard to come by here to i'll try and plug up the gap with a ring of rolled up muslin. The gap around the edge is 4-5mm all the way around.

Here are more pics of the tun:

 

[dazsnow]

Thanks Jaybird. Do you do custom sizes? And ship to China? <

My false bottom is 65mm tall and the inside diameter of the tun is 565mm

I'm gonna try again on Monday, this time a full batch with a heavier/taller grain bed, with a ring of muslin cloth around the edge of the false bottom, and with a couple of this wire scrubbers in each outlet to provide extra filtering. Fingers crossed.

 

[Jaybird]

Thanks Jaybird. Do you do custom sizes? And ship to China? <

My false bottom is 65mm tall and the inside diameter of the tun is 565mm

I'm gonna try again on Monday, this time a full batch with a heavier/taller grain bed, with a ring of muslin cloth around the edge of the false bottom, and with a couple of this wire scrubbers in each outlet to provide extra filtering. Fingers crossed.

Yep custom anything. Of course I ship to China. What I can do is make you an x type stand and just notch it so they come apart and lay flat making shipping super easy. Do this if you want, take a measurement under the False Bottom on how tall this stand can be I know you said 65mm but is that accurate and actual height UNDER the False Bottom? Since we wont be using it as support it doesn't have to touch the under part of the False Bottom. I bet we can get you something fairly cheep shipped over to add that extra level of filtration and keep your kettle flowing. I say try the scrubby but if it doesn't work out shoot me a PM I am happy to help.

Cheers
Jay

 

[dazsnow]

Hopefully this will do the job for now - I've sewed a few layers of muslin cloth around the edge of the FB. It shouldn't soak up too much wort but may only last a few brews.

 

[Jaybird]

Hopefully this will do the job for now - I've sewed a few layers of muslin cloth around the edge of the FB. It shouldn't soak up too much wort but may only last a few brews.

That is DAMN crafty brother! Keep us posted on how it works.

Cheers
Jay

 

[augiedoggy]

what about splitting a smaller diameter silicone hose and slipping it around the circumference of the edge of the false bottom?

Edit nevermind just saw it was mentioned already... you could use any food grade plastic/vinyl hose really though since its really not going over 170degrees...