Pour Over Sparge & BS3

[Wagon_6]

Has anyone figured out a way to accurately plan out a recipe/equipment profile with a 1 or 2 gallon pour over sparge using beersmith 3?

My new system has a utah diesel basket and i’ll probably pour over sparge on beers bigger than 1.060. I’ve played around in bs3 but cannot figure out a way for a BIAB mash to add a sparge step.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I recall a thread on this in the past few months. I did not find that with a quick search but saw several other threads.

For the most part BIAB in BS = Full Volume Mash. I had the best luck treating a BIAB with Sparge as a Fly Sparge in BS. You might have to tweak your grain absorption as BS has 1 value for Sparge and 1 value for BIAB. I find that 0.05 gal per lb works for me, though I think it will vary based on grain crush, amount of non-grains (like flaked wheat sucks up water more than grain) and how you drain/squeeze the bag. (I think BS uses fl oz/oz for whatever reason instead of gal/lb.)

Edit: Here is the one I was thinking of...but I see some others with a search like "BeerSmith BIAB Sparge". https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/dunk-sparge-beer-smith.661262

 

[Wagon_6]

Good point, i’ll try plugging in a “fly sparge” mash and dough in with everything but 1 or 2 gallons.

For those that pour over sparge, how many more gravity points are you getting?

 

[doug293cz]

A pour over sparge will improve you lauter efficiency. The problem with a pour over sparge is that it is impossible to know just how well it works. If you really want predictability, either do a no-sparge, or batch (dunk) sparge. Those are more consistent and predictable, as long as you stir aggressively prior to each run-off.

Brew on

 

[CascadesBrewer]

For those that pour over sparge, how many more gravity points are you getting?

Man...it feels like I converted to BIAB a long time ago and I have been brewing non stop...but I guess it was just Dec 28 that I did my first 5 gal BIAB, and I have a total of three 5 gal BIAB batches and four 2.5 gal BIAB batches. I cannot compare much between batches given the different sizes and equipment, but I am getting 5% to 10% higher mash efficiency with my 5 gal batches with a dunk sparge vs my 2.5 gal full volume mash batches.

That said, I have been doing a dunk sparge mostly because it fits my current process better since I cannot move my kettle with the full volume mash. At some point I need to decide on a strategy to insulate my kettle while sitting on my propane burner and play around with full volume mash. The dunk sparge process is not that much work but it is more work than just sitting in a chair watching my bag drain (plus measuring and treating 2 waters, and heating the sparge water).

 

[Wagon_6]

A pour over sparge will improve you lauter efficiency. The problem with a pour over sparge is that it is impossible to know just how well it works. If you really want predictability, either do a no-sparge, or batch (dunk) sparge. Those are more consistent and predictable, as long as you stir aggressively prior to each run-off.

Brew on

Yea I’m realizing it may not be very predictable. I may start tracking and separating my runoffs to see of I can find some repeatability.

 

[Wagon_6]

I’ll give the dunk sparge more thought. I did see in the post you linked Cascade that someone basically made up the BH efficiency loss difference between smaller and larger OG beers with a pour over sparge. I think I’d be happy with that.

 

[LittleRiver]

... I need to decide on a strategy to insulate my kettle while sitting on my propane burner and play around with full volume mash...

For kettle insulation I get great results with a youth sleeping bag, as shown in this post.

Most of my brews are full volume, no sparge, no squeeze (gravity fully drains the bag into the kettle). It makes for a very enjoyable brew day. I consistently exceed recipe targets with that process, for "normal" ABV beers.

... basically made up the BH efficiency loss difference between smaller and larger OG beers with a pour over sparge. I think I’d be happy with that.

That's basically what I've found, that a sparge step will make up for any efficiency losses when doing a big beer. The sparge process I use is described in this post, what I like about it is that you never have to handle a hot drippy bag (as in a dunk sparge), and you don't have to tediously pour water over a hanging bag (as in a pour over sparge).

 

[CascadesBrewer]

For kettle insulation I get great results with a youth sleeping bag, as shown in this post.

Yeah...I probably need to dig through my closets or make a run to the local thrift shop and get some blankets or a sleeping bag (or maybe just not worry about holding the mash temp). On the other hand, I am not completely unhappy with the process I have been following so it has not been a high priority (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/yet-another-biab-first-timer.660301/). On crappy days it is nice to move the mashing process back in doors and my insulated box has worked well for me for many years...though I need to get motivated to clean out a spot in my garage and fix the water faucet on the front of my house.