Hey all, I'm having a problem when batch sparging, and hope to get a little advice from you batch sparge vets. Here's my setup:
Converted keg with 15 inch jaybird false bottom.
Standard ball valve/diptube pickup from dead center of screen.
I mash in, let sit for 20 minutes, stir.
20 minutes later, I start vourlof/recirc with pump very slow
When wort clears I've tried two methods: cranking the pump all the way (still recirculating) for 20 seconds, then transferring to BK. OR transferring to BK and running off at 1/2 throttle on pump. Both these methods give the same resulting problem, which is:
Big "sinkhole" forms about 4 inches in diameter where grainbed is a few inches below the rest. The wort channels to this spot, I can see it when wort level gets low enough. A little right and down from dead center (where the diptube would be).
After this first running, I add my second sparge water addition, stir, and repeat. I get the same dang hole in the same spot.
Has anyone had this happen? Jaybird sent me his level 1 screen, thinking that the FB might have been bowing and causing or contributing to the problem, but sadly, I used it yesterday and got the same result as before.
Finally, my efficiency isn't terrible considering it's channeling so badly. I'm getting between 67% and 74%, but I know I'm leaving sugars behind and want to get them!
Converted keg with 15 inch jaybird false bottom.
Standard ball valve/diptube pickup from dead center of screen.
I mash in, let sit for 20 minutes, stir.
20 minutes later, I start vourlof/recirc with pump very slow
When wort clears I've tried two methods: cranking the pump all the way (still recirculating) for 20 seconds, then transferring to BK. OR transferring to BK and running off at 1/2 throttle on pump. Both these methods give the same resulting problem, which is:
Big "sinkhole" forms about 4 inches in diameter where grainbed is a few inches below the rest. The wort channels to this spot, I can see it when wort level gets low enough. A little right and down from dead center (where the diptube would be).
After this first running, I add my second sparge water addition, stir, and repeat. I get the same dang hole in the same spot.
Has anyone had this happen? Jaybird sent me his level 1 screen, thinking that the FB might have been bowing and causing or contributing to the problem, but sadly, I used it yesterday and got the same result as before.
Finally, my efficiency isn't terrible considering it's channeling so badly. I'm getting between 67% and 74%, but I know I'm leaving sugars behind and want to get them!