Sparging question

pat2002tii · Jun 19, 2013

I built a herms system and this weekend will be my first time ever brewing a batch of beer. From what I read you should sparge for 45 min. Or more. During my test run it only took a few minutes to pump all the water out of my HLT into my mash ton and then gravity feed into the boil kettle. Does it drain slower with grains in the mash ton? How do I get this process to last 45 min or so?

Bobby_M · Jun 19, 2013

The 45 minute sparge is part of the "fly sparge" process but it sounds like you attempted to batch sparge. Did you first drain the mash wort to the boil kettle before adding all the sparge water? That's a proper batch sparge technique. If so, it doesn't need to take 45 minutes.

pat2002tii · Jun 19, 2013

I did a practice run without any grain at all, but yes I did drain the mash ton first, so time doesn't matter with a batch sparge? Is there any benefit to a fly sparge over a batch sparge? Thanks for you input.

tally350z · Jun 19, 2013

You will have some who say they get better effeciency from fly sparging and you will have some who say it hasn't changed for them. I personally get really good results when I batch sparge so why change it. I just add my sparge water stir for a good minute or so, vorlauf, drain. I do a 2 step batch sparge and get about 80-84*effeciency.

Since you have a herms system you will most likly want to fly sparge. You have to slow down the water flow when fly sparging to match the water input and the water output to get a equal flow, while keeping an inch or two of water above the grain bed. When I use my herms system I can usually get it down to where the fly sparge lasts 45 minutes to an hour.

pat2002tii · Jun 19, 2013

Ok thanks, so when you say two step batch sparge does that mean you drain the wort into the brew kettle, close the valve, fill with hot water from HLT and stir, drain into brew kettle, close valve and repeat?

tally350z · Jun 19, 2013

Yes, If you use a program to calculate the sparge water needed I jsut cut it in half and do two sparges.. Some only do one and some do two, its entirely up to you.

Jamming · Jun 19, 2013

Interesting. I always though by disturbing the Grain bed "stirring" would introduce Tannins in your beer, Granted some will boil off but doesnt this "stirring" cause off flavors? Dont mean to jack thread.

tally350z · Jun 19, 2013

No. The extraction of tannins is a combination of high Ph and high temps. If your within the proper PH range and your not using too hot sparge water than your good. The stirring is to "loosen" most of the sugars out of the grain for better extraction.

pat2002tii · Jun 19, 2013

Thanks for all the help. Maybe I will give fly sparging a shot. I think I will make my sparge arm out of 3/8 stainless tube instead of the 1/2 inch I am using now and drill smaller holes. This should slow it down a little and cover more area.

tally350z · Jun 19, 2013

Make sure you keep the water level above the grain bed as well.. You can also use a ball valve on the output side of the pump. When I sparge mine is almost close. Just don't restrict the flow going into the pump.