I still need to test this more but I might have a tip for those who recirculate during mash and run into getting stuck. Yesterday I brewed a strong stout and for a 17.5 lb 5g batch I added 1/2 lb of rice hulls. I have a theory that dark grains can be an issue. But the real interesting thing was house I added the grains.
I put my full volume of water in, attached the recirculation arm, and started the pump. Then I added my grains. After using a paddle here and there eventually I finished. What was odd was the pump was wide open and it stayed wide open and the level was very high. So even wide open it looked like I was safe from having the element exposed.
Sadly after 15 minutes I decided to tinker and I switched the recirculation arm. After that I could only run the pump slowly and the level wasn't very high.
I think if I left the arm alone it might have been fine the entire time. I will try that next time. My guess is if you let the grains compact then won't be able to run the pump wide open.
I put my full volume of water in, attached the recirculation arm, and started the pump. Then I added my grains. After using a paddle here and there eventually I finished. What was odd was the pump was wide open and it stayed wide open and the level was very high. So even wide open it looked like I was safe from having the element exposed.
Sadly after 15 minutes I decided to tinker and I switched the recirculation arm. After that I could only run the pump slowly and the level wasn't very high.
I think if I left the arm alone it might have been fine the entire time. I will try that next time. My guess is if you let the grains compact then won't be able to run the pump wide open.
