Keggle problems

[madscientistbrewNq]

Well bought a 3 keggle system on the cheap. Immediate concerns- I installed a false bottom because it didn't some with one and I wanted to double check for leaks, etc... I was curious how everything would go so in the kitchen I went and probably put about 5 gallons of water in.... 24 cups of water was left in the bottom once the water was essentially below the spigot. I'm guessing it simply didn't want to fight gravity and work its way up the arm of the false bottom and out the spigot....

So I'm worried where that will leave me on brew day. 24 cups of water in the HLT, 24 cups of water in the mash tun mixed with grain and 24 cups of water in the boil keggle if you will plus mixed with hops and proteins from hot/cold break....

My wife argued that she didn't think the mash tun would be in issue due to the grains but I'm not sure I'm buying it. Obviously this problem would kill efficiency and when doing 5 gallon batches probably leave me with under 4 gallons especially with boil off unless I topped on the carboy but that will totally jack up a recipe.

Anyone want to help me out here. The previous guy used a chugger pump which is probably why he didn't have any issues but I was planning on just using gravity. I haven't looked to see what volume will be left with the dip tubes in the HLT or boil keggle but I'm assuming worst case scenarios. Also I would prefer not to siphon, or add a pump or two for the matter. I would like to keep it simple and just use the spigots. I mean that's what they are there for...

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[madscientistbrewNq]

Not a great pic but hopefully you can see the waterline.

 

[Hamaki]

Assuming you have a dip tube in your mash & boil vessels, attach silicon tubing to the outlet and you can siphon almost all liquid out of each, leaving just a few ounces once siphon breaks at the dip tube inlet.

 

[helterscelter]

Assuming you have a dip tube in your mash & boil vessels, attach silicon tubing to the outlet and you can siphon almost all liquid out of each, leaving just a few ounces once siphon breaks at the dip tube inlet.

I second that. I have dip tubes in both my keggles (one mt and one bk). Without the silicone hose the siphon breaks quite easily leaving most of the keggle bottom full of liquid. By adding the hose I can get all but a couple teaspoons.

 

[madscientistbrewNq]

I have two copper dip tubes for the boil keggle and the hlt. The mash tun has the false bottom. I have tubing for all the keggle spigots which would allow me to transfer liquid to the respective keggles via gravity. I don't mean to be stupid here but are you saying you guys manually generate siphoning by I'm guessing sucking on the end of the hose attached to the spigot? Wouldn't you have concerns given the water in the hlt is around 150 to 165 and even in the mash were talking 150 to 155 potentially?

Maybe a pic or an explanation would help me through my idiocy... sorry for the followup question...

 

[madscientistbrewNq]

Well its time to admit my ignorance sounds like this is not a unusual situatuation. I suppose I can alter my water calculation and grain bill to cover dead space but I am concerned about the amount of wort left behind in the boil keggle... i certainly wouldn't want to tilt or rock the keggle etc... especially in the break has coned up in the middle of the keggle from whirlpooling..

 

[helterscelter]

I have two copper dip tubes for the boil keggle and the hlt. The mash tun has the false bottom. I have tubing for all the keggle spigots which would allow me to transfer liquid to the respective keggles via gravity. I don't mean to be stupid here but are you saying you guys manually generate siphoning by I'm guessing sucking on the end of the hose attached to the spigot? Wouldn't you have concerns given the water in the hlt is around 150 to 165 and even in the mash were talking 150 to 155 potentially?

Maybe a pic or an explanation would help me through my idiocy... sorry for the followup question...

These pics are just a quick set up with no water.

Essentially when you open the valve with a full keggle the liquid will immediately pour out through the hose into your bucket or whatever you put the hose in. This creates the siphon. Once the water level gets lower than the ball valve, gravity/siphon action continues to pull liquid out of the keggle. It will empty until the level is lower than the dip tube and the vacuum is broken.

Edit: definitely do not try to stuck on the business end of your mt hose. Lol. Good way to get scalded.

Also, my pic has vinyl hose attached for an example. Never use such hose with hot liquid. I didn't have my silicone hose handy. Silicone hose is the best

View attachment 1420331770955.jpg

View attachment 1420331791839.jpg

 

[madscientistbrewNq]

Perfect thank you I read further and sure enough I corrected the issue as mentioned above. I got down to around 1.5 cups... thanks guys...

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

Siphons only work if the discharge is lower than the water level. I'm guessing you initially tested without a hose on the end, and as soon as the water level dropped below the outlet on the keggle (but still above the dip tube) it died, leaving behind quite a bit of water. By throwing a hose on there, the siphon action of the water flowing down the hose causes it to suck water up into the dip tube, which is exactly what we want.
-Kevin