Fly Sparging clarification

[Bru]

After mashing and draining the first runnings my plan is to :
add about 5L of water at about 80degC, stir and then open the valve on the MLT and the valve on the fly sparge manifold (calibrated to deliver +-1L / min)and sparge untill Im at 1.008.
I maintain +-80degC and +-4cm of water above the grain bed for the entire sparge - is this correct ?
I assume if the sparge runnings are innitially not clear (after stirring) I pour them back into the MLT ?

 

[Jaybird]

It seems like you have a batch sparge and fly sparge combo there.
There is no reason to drain your first runnings. Resirc till it runs clear and start running to the boil kettle. At the same time start adding 170* water to the top of the grain bed to maintain 1-2" of cover water. Continue to do this for about an hour or until you have your start boil volume. I calculate my runnings for time and shoot for 1 hour. I do this like this

14 gallons (target volume) x 4 = 56 quarts/60 min = .93 quarts per min
Good luck
Jay

 

[Bru]

That makes sense - thanks.
Ive read that some guys stir in between taking the first runnings and starting the sparge. Your method sounds easier.

 

[Jaybird]

Oh I am sure there are. There are all kinds of ways to sparge. Some are better than others, some work better for some people than others. None are wrong, just as long as you're brewing all is good in the world.

 

[bmckee56]

When you say.... "Run Clear" do you mean no grain in the liquid coming out or are you refering to clear like water? I know that may be stupid, but I am very new to AG (actually going to try my first on Wednesday).

Salute!

 

[schristian619]

he means no grain in the wort. grain husks in the boiled wort can lead to off flavors.

 

[bierbrauer]

I usually add some 80C +/- water to the mash, stir and then start draining slowly. After collecting several quarts in a container and dumping it back on top of the grain bed then I open up the sparge water and start collecting my wort. This should create a nice filter bed after a short period of time. A time bonus if you have a separate burner for your boil kettle, then you can start heating the wort after a gallon or so has been collected.