Rugrad02
Well-Known Member
I bought a Stainless Sparge arm today from my LHBS. You know, the one that spins??? I know, you don't really need such fancy things but I have always wanted one. I got a good deal on it and it was kind of a splurge for me. I'm not the type of person that usually gets sucked in to gimmicks but the nerd in me couldn't resist.
I had been using a small section of hollowed out brew spoon attached to my silicone tubing. The spoon section was about the length of a AA battery. I used a drill bit to hollow it out and then drilled 4 tiny holes in the sides so that the water shoots or trickles out in a + pattern. It worked well enough but I started to get concerned with channeling because the water shoots in the same constant direction over the grain bed.
So, I gave in and bought this sparge arm. It came with a white plastic plank with a hole screwed in the middle, a section of brew hose and clamp and the stainless sparge arm. At the end of each side of the rotating arms were a black cap that didn't even appear to be made from a food safe material. I'm guessing some sort of PVC and I question what will happen to them when warmed to sparge water temps.
I hooked it up, like I normally would and gave it a go with water. I slowed my valve down until the arm was close to stopping. The flow rate was still too fast. It took only 14 minutes to go through 4 gallons of water. The idea of the arm is fantastic but the design is not up to par. The arm seems to be held together by a wire and is anything but smooth. The thing works like a champ when the valve is open at full but what's the point? Slower sparge is better right?
I could let the water simply trickle out of the arm slowly and without spinning but then I once again run the risk of channeling. Any ideas on what to do with this thing now? Is there a way to improve the function myself? Any thought would be appreciated.
I had been using a small section of hollowed out brew spoon attached to my silicone tubing. The spoon section was about the length of a AA battery. I used a drill bit to hollow it out and then drilled 4 tiny holes in the sides so that the water shoots or trickles out in a + pattern. It worked well enough but I started to get concerned with channeling because the water shoots in the same constant direction over the grain bed.
So, I gave in and bought this sparge arm. It came with a white plastic plank with a hole screwed in the middle, a section of brew hose and clamp and the stainless sparge arm. At the end of each side of the rotating arms were a black cap that didn't even appear to be made from a food safe material. I'm guessing some sort of PVC and I question what will happen to them when warmed to sparge water temps.
I hooked it up, like I normally would and gave it a go with water. I slowed my valve down until the arm was close to stopping. The flow rate was still too fast. It took only 14 minutes to go through 4 gallons of water. The idea of the arm is fantastic but the design is not up to par. The arm seems to be held together by a wire and is anything but smooth. The thing works like a champ when the valve is open at full but what's the point? Slower sparge is better right?
I could let the water simply trickle out of the arm slowly and without spinning but then I once again run the risk of channeling. Any ideas on what to do with this thing now? Is there a way to improve the function myself? Any thought would be appreciated.