How much water do you sparge with?

[Jordan71017]

OK it'll probably be awhile before I graduate to all-grain brewing but I have a question for future reference. How much water is a good amount to sparge with? I've read that 2 quarts of water per pound of grain is a good ratio to MASH with but the article didn't say how much to sparge with. I've read a couple of recipes (just out of curiosity) and they always seem to sparge with a different amount of water than they mashed with. Are there any guidelines to follow as far as water amount is concerned for sparging?

 

[Oldbrew75]

I'm still a noob but this is what I have read. You would use the rest of your water to sparge with. So say you have 7 Gallons and it takes 4 Gallons to Mash in, you would use the last 3 Gallons to sparge with. Correct me if I am wrong someone!

 

[Bookem15]

I do BIAB and I just use enough water to get me to my pre boil amount. Once I get to about 7 to 7.5 gallons I am good to go...

 

[Surly]

OK it'll probably be awhile before I graduate to all-grain brewing but I have a question for future reference. How much water is a good amount to sparge with? I've read that 2 quarts of water per pound of grain is a good ratio to MASH with but the article didn't say how much to sparge with. I've read a couple of recipes (just out of curiosity) and they always seem to sparge with a different amount of water than they mashed with. Are there any guidelines to follow as far as water amount is concerned for sparging?

There are software programs out there that will inform you of the amount f water you need depending on a variety of factors. I use Beersmith myself. http://www.beersmith.com/forum/

 

[william_shakes_beer]

Is there any harm in running all your target water through the grains? Once you have converted the starches, the sparge is simply rinsing the goodness out. Yes?

 

[Yooper]

Generally, you want to mash with 1.25-2 quarts of water per pound of grain (BIAB no included!). This ensures correct mash pH. In my case, I mash with 1.33 quarts of water per pound of grain to get the correct pH, although too make a stout I use 1.75 quarts per pound.

To sparge, you generally just sparge to get to your boil volume. It's easiest if you work backwards to get the amount. For example, I'm using 10 pounds of grain. I mash in with 15 quarts of water (1.5 quarts per pound). I can expect that the grain will absorb .125 gallons per pound so I can assume that 10 pounds of grain will absorb 1.25 gallons in the mash. I used 15 quarts (3.75 gallons) to mash in. That means that 2.5 gallons of first runnings out of the mash. Since my boil volume is 6.5 gallons, I need to sparge with 4 gallons. The sparge water won't suffer from grain absorption, since once the grain is saturated, it won't absorb any more.

It's common in the first couple AG batches to miss the volume targets, so I recommend having extra hot water on hand for adding to the sparge volume.

 

[bob1852]

My general rule is to have as much sparge water available as my anticipated final volume (I may not need it all, but I like to have it available; and what doesn't get used, gets boiled and run through the CFC to sanitize).

So, if I'm doing a 10-gallon batch; I'll have 10-gallons of sparge available.
5-gallon batch; 5-gallon of sparge...

But, as Yooper said; you basically subtract your needed pre-boil volume from your mash runnings volume to get your needed sparge amount.

 

[frazier]

So, if I'm doing a 10-gallon batch; I'll have 10-gallons of sparge available.
5-gallon batch; 5-gallon of sparge...

Reminds me of the famous Lincoln quote - someone asked him how long a man's legs should be: "Long enough to reach the ground!"
Carry on.

 

[Jordan71017]

What is "BIAB"?

 

[dobeluvr]

brew in a bag...a method where you put your grains in a bag in the mashing vessel

 

[Jordan71017]

TY all.