Sparge + Pumpkin?

[mikefranciotti]

Hey guys, I'm brewing a AHS Pumpkin ale and I've got my 4lb's of pumpkin baking at the moment.

I just realized, I'm using 1 quart of sparge water for every 2lb of grain in my grain bag. If I'm adding 4lb's of pumpkin, does that increase the amount of sparge water needed? I am thinking not and the addition of pumpkin won't increase the necessary sparge water especially since it'll put me over my 5 gal mark.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[rsmith179]

No real changes in your sparge water additions are needed. However, make sure that you are using plenty of rice hulls in your mash if you're going to be adding the pumpkin to the mash. They tend to get nice and stuck if you don't add the hulls. Also, remember to sparge SLOWLY to help prevent a stuck sparge.

 

[wildwest450]

Don't forget to raise your strike water a few degrees above normal, the pumpkin will suck some heat out.