Mashing & Spargeing

[rohanski]

I am going to start all grain next year and trying to get all of the equipment ready but I have a question about mashing and sparging. What is fly sparge and batch sparge? Do either one of these use a sparge arm and do I need one at all? I have heard that batch sparging is less efficient but I don't know if it is or even why.
Is it necessary to stir the mash? I read somewhere that it isn't necessary.

 

[Bobby_M]

I'd recommend skimming through the Wiki for starters https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/All_Grain_Brewing_Simplified

 

[malkore]

fly sparging uses a sparge arm, and you don't stir the grain bed once you start.

batch sparging doesn't use a sparge arm, and you do stir the grain bed between batch sparges, and you recirculate, and you let the grain bed resettle.

you can get great efficiency from batch sparging, at the cost of more manual labor.

think of sparge type as part of your home breweries unique method of production, just like your tap water imparts its own uniquness in your brews.

 

[rohanski]

Do you stir the mash before the sparge while it is going through the sugar conversion?

 

[Got Trub?]

Do you stir the mash before the sparge while it is going through the sugar conversion?

Yes you can but you don't have to.