Help with a false bottom in Xtreme MLT

[beerisking]

Hey everyone, so I have an unusual MLT in that I built a false bottom for my Coleman Xtreme that I use in conjunction with a 'sorta' dip tube. It makes more sense with the photos. Basically I use a SS mesh screen for strength (forget the specs,came from McMaster but it is fairly thick guage and stiff,excuse the innuendo) that sits atop a polypropylene mesh screen for filtering. Below this is a center placed 1/2" copper tube that runs from the bulkhead to the middle, where it ends in a"T".View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424382016.806333.jpg

My concern is whether I should be concerned with channeling of water and should I drain the wort and sparge as fast as I can (after vourlafing) since this setup allows for fairly fast draining without stuck mashes?

 

[thekraken]

I like this. Where did you get the PP mesh and what does that cost? If I were doing it I would think the SS mesh and PP mesh redundant but I understand you needing the SS for support.

As for your question about channeling, I don't see why it would be a problem. I'd make some standoffs so that the whole thing sits level above the pick up tube.

 

[beerisking]

One step ahead. I do have a support made that holds it up,didn't include it in the photo. It does seem redundant, but the hole sizes are different (the SS is on the higher end of recommended hole size while the poly is on the loss end) and I ordered both not sure which one would be easier to size into a rectangle shape,ended up using both. As for the price, not bad on either one. I think $20 for each. Poly is 2 pieces 'stitched' together where SS is one sheet.

 

[maierhof]

This is exactly the MLT that I have right now - and I have a false bottom of SS to give me the space I need for flow at the bottom. Nice work on the poly extra screen.

There are lots of nooks and crannies in this thing that is for sure - this is why I ended up doing a BIAB bag instead of the extra screen. Even then - I still get a few grains that manage to work their way through the cracks in that bag.

Obviously you vorlauf - but - do you recirculate this thing? If not - you should. This is why I added the HERMS for mine. If you do - you won't have to worry about channeling if you build your sparge arm correctly. EDIT: You don't have to worry about your flow if you are not sparging. You are right - you can just mash and let it flow out as fast as you want if you are doing a single infusion no sparge. You will want to let it flow into the boil kettle and then start your burner - then in about 10 minutes - let it flow down again as the grains keep lots of wort in them and it just takes time to get it all out. I can't ever wait long enough to get it all - I usually leave about 3qts in there... If you sparge - you will want to do so at a low level on your ball valve - dont just let it flow full throttle.

If you want to build a better pickup tube - I would look at adding long braid into a tee that loops the entire bottom as it will provide better flow for you. Or even doing a copper manifold down at the bottom. There are lots of manifold builds up here on the forums for this if you need ideas. I chose not to do a pick up and just have a upside down 90 as this MLT has a gradient down to the out tube already as I recirculate.

 

[beerisking]

So I brewed with my setup again this weekend and a thought came to me when I was setting the MLT up. Given the dead space between the bottom of the cooler and the mesh screen,it seems like I have a gallon or so of mash water not in contact with the grain and I'm wondering if this may be bad for my efficiency. I normally try to shoot for 1.4 qts per pound of grain,but most systems have all the liquid in contact with the grains. This is making me think I should go to a manifold system or HERMS pump like you talked about maierhof. Can you describe the HERMS system you use with this cooler?

 

[thekraken]

You're still extracting all that water out from under the false bottom aren't you? I wouldn't call it dead space just because it's not in contact with the grain. Dead space, to me, refers to the wort you are leaving behind. So long as all your grains remain submerged/saturated/in contact with water at 1.4 qt/lb I think it should be fine as far as for efficiency. I've heard of people using much thinner mash then that.

 

[maierhof]

My HERMS situation is a chugger pump, and a small 12v pump for the flow inside the HERMS pot. The pot itself is the original extract pot that I bought when I first started - 8gal. At the bottom of said pot I have a 5500w electric heater (on only 110v right now =:<) and I made a 35 ft length at 1/2" copper tube inside the HERMS pot. I rolled it around a corny keg.

I have a Kai electric brewery setup where I gauge the output of the MLT and the output of the HERMS situation to get me a midline of where I need to be. I setup a return manifold by putting a 3/4'' copper pipe in the top of my lid for the MLT - then put an extra line of 1/2" tubing which I silver soldered closed and it runs a rectangle shape - then put big holes in the top of that return and place it under the wort line of the MLT while I mash. I typically run about at 1.5 - 1.6 level on my mashes... The only stuck sparge was my last one - but it was 23 lbs of Maris Otter which apparently can get stuck sometimes.

Since I started crushing my grains twice on the huge mill at morebeer in Los Altos - I have yet to get a conversion of less than 85%. And the bag - really - helps with the clean up. Lift - dump - spray - done for the day until brew day where I soak the whole MLT (Bag in) in StarSan.

See linked vid for you:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcszjprydqfn2fe/VID_20140816_161652_480.mp4?dl=0