Mash tun clogged

[desertlizardking]

I'm brewing pumpkin ale, did the first two draws. Then when I went to drain to, the pot it's clogged. Any ideas??

 

[desertlizardking]

Batch sparge by the way

 

[nater3]

Pumpkin is some sticky stuff.
Did you include a few handfuls of rice hulls in the mash?

 

[b-boy]

Stuck sparge. Rice hulls do help a lot. What are you using - false bottom, manifold, bazooka screen?

 

[desertlizardking]

No rice hulls, and water heater hose. It is draining so slow.

 

[desertlizardking]

And yes very sticky. I've done two all grain with the same amount of grain and never had this. I did do pumpkin in it.

 

[desertlizardking]

So what are your suggestions. I have a mash tun full of stuff and no clue what to do.

 

[b-boy]

If it's totally stuck I usually dump it into a paint strainer bag in another pot and do an impromptu BIAB with the leftover wort.

Sometime stirring helps, but I'm guessing you've probably tried that.

If you don't have a strainer bag try using a colander to get as much liquid out as you can without too much grain.

Once they're stuck you're pretty much screwed. At that point you're just trying to salvage the wort.

 

[desertlizardking]

I've stirred enough to where it is draining slowly. Should I just use other pot idea or try and ride it out

 

[b-boy]

At this point I'd just try to strain it into another pot. You'll be fine.

I've done this several times and it's never messed anything up. After several of these experiences I am a die hard Rice hull fan now. They work really well.

 

[desertlizardking]

I will be from now on lol.

 

[b-boy]

Yeah - nothing worse than a stuck sparge. Except maybe an infected batch of beer.

At least you got through the mash and 1 washing before it stuck! That's a plus! When it sticks on the first runnings you know you're in for a long night.

 

[desertlizardking]

Yep. I actually got it flowing. Guess the Second pot scared it lol. Thanks for. The help

 

[mcotter]

Stirring typically helps but when that fails I always just open the valve and blow through the tube lol. Not the most sanitary method but it's pre-boil so who cares.

 

[desertlizardking]

Lol that's awesome. I thought of that myself. My problem was when I stirred the first time I kinked the hose.

 

[Ian123]

I second the blow through method. Worked twiced for me now. Took a couple tries the second time.

 

[b-boy]

I've never had that work for me. It usually unclogs, but then it clogs right back up after a few seconds. That, and the chance of scalding my lips with 160F wort makes me a little nervous.

 

[Saboral]

I've used an air compressor before to blow back through the valve sharply and this has blown out the stuck sparge and usually doesn't get stuck again. Just make sure the lid is loosely covering your tun when you do it.

 

[desertlizardking]

Lol what and not blow hot wort all over you and your friends. Sounds like a party to me

 

[Saboral]

Ain't no party like a hot wort party, cause a hot wort party don't stop. Well unless you are brewing with pumpkin and don't use rice hauls.

 

[desertlizardking]

Ouch nice, I deserve that.