Lauter from mash tun

[owentp]

I want to use 5/8" poly tubing for my false bottom/lautering from my mash tun. What size holes & how far apart to drill.

Also on the side, top, or bottom of tubing? Is a metal false bottom also needed or will the tubing drain ok w/grain on top of it.

 

[Bithead]

I use cpvc. Alternately cut slots and drilled holes about 1/4 inch apart, so a slot then row of 3 holes. Used the smallest bit I had, 5/64ths. Mine are on bottom. I think they work best there as there's less dead space. John Palmer says bottom or top works.

 

[owentp]

So your grain bed lays on top of it or do you have a false bottom as well?

 

[Bithead]

No false bottom. Just the cpvc manifold.

 

[owentp]

Thx. Does it matter how much (in volume/weight) of grain bed is on top of it to work? Thinking of using a rubbermaid brute hdpe can to use 46 lbs of grain for 15.5 gal batch.

 

[Bithead]

The link to this calculator will tell you how big your mash tun needs to be. Looks like your grain bill at 1.25 quarts per gallon of strike water will require an 18.06 gallon tun not taking into account dead space.

http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml

 

[IslandLizard]

If you use a large single-walled (garbage) can, you need to add insulation to keep the temps from dropping too fast. Are you recirculating/heating the mash or just doing a single infusion?

Why not use a large cooler, like 150 qts?

How do you want to sparge? Fly sparging needs a well designed manifold and certain mash/lauter tun dimensions to work. Batch sparging is way simpler. Just stir, wait, and lauter. The manifold for a batch sparge is not very critical. Slots 1" apart in 1/2" (or 3/4") CPVC pipe will work fine. Do a search to get some ideas.