Stuck mash problems

[garvinator70]

I have a mash tun 80qt. I made a stainless braid for it . My first brew in it was LilSparkeys nut brown ale. Almost 12 pounds of grain. 1 lb. of flaked oats ,added them last. I mashed in about 1 quart shy , by mistake . It wasn't stuck all the way , I could only get a slow trickle. So I just added 4.21 gal. Of sparge water . Stirred and let stand for 10min. Then drained to boil kettle. What can I do next time to get the first runnings , to flow better ? Once I added sparge water it flowed very well. I vourlofed also and it stuck. Thanks in advance and cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[cease]

Throw in some rice hulls, a nice handful. It won't change the flavor and be easier to drain.

Look at your MLT though, may be cheaper in the long run to build something that will effectively drain. Manifold either out of PVC or copper.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

Throw in some rice hulls, a nice handful. It won't change the flavor and be easier to drain.

Look at your MLT though, may be cheaper in the long run to build something that will effectively drain. Manifold either out of PVC or copper.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Thanks I'm gonna try rice hulls . If that don't work ,I may have to build a manifold .


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[stevehardt]

Rice hulls are cheap and are good insurance against a stuck sparge

I know this sounds odd, but if you get a stuck sparge, hook up a hose to the fitting and blow through it. This can blow the clog out and get things running again.

 

[garvinator70]

Rice hulls are cheap and are good insurance against a stuck sparge



I know this sounds odd, but if you get a stuck sparge, hook up a hose to the fitting and blow through it. This can blow the clog out and get things running again.

I tried several times , blowing through it . It would only trickle . I didn't have all day ,had to get it done . I asked my LHBS if I should grab some rice hulls. " no I think you will be ok". I'm getting rice hulls from now on. My effiencey was still good , but I think it could get better.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[msa8967]

I have a mash tun 80qt. I made a stainless braid for it . My first brew in it was LilSparkeys nut brown ale. Almost 12 pounds of grain. 1 lb. of flaked oats ,added them last. I mashed in about 1 quart shy , by mistake . It wasn't stuck all the way , I could only get a slow trickle. So I just added 4.21 gal. Of sparge water . Stirred and let stand for 10min. Then drained to boil kettle. What can I do next time to get the first runnings , to flow better ? Once I added sparge water it flowed very well. I vourlofed also and it stuck. Thanks in advance and cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

How long is your ss braid hose? I have been using a voile slip on cover (like putting on a sock) and have never had a stuck sparge. I also don't have to vorlauf. Send me a pm if you would like for me to send you a cover to try out. I have made many of these recently due to a hurt back that won't allow me to brew right now.

 

[garvinator70]

How long is your ss braid hose? I have been using a voile slip on cover (like putting on a sock) and have never had a stuck sparge. I also don't have to vorlauf. Send me a pm if you would like for me to send you a cover to try out. I have made many of these recently due to a hurt back that won't allow me to brew right now.

Is your braid hollow ? Or did you put tubbing in it and cut slits at bottom? That's what I did.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Natdavis777]

I've had to hook up a tube and blow air in before as well. Took multiple times and a lot longer to run off, but got the job done. It was in an 80qt MLT as well


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

Is your braid hollow ? Or did you put tubbing in it and cut slits at bottom? That's what I did.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Thanks for the braid sock offer , I don't think that will help.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

I've had to hook up a tube and blow air in before as well. Took multiple times and a lot longer to run off, got the job done. It was in an 80qt MLT as well

How is your braid set up?
Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

How



Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I have blown into it as well...I have only had a stuck sparge twice, both times this worked.

 

[Natdavis777]

My ball valve has a barb attached to it. So throw on an appropriate sized hose, tighten is down with a worm clamp if needed. If wort run off slows down too much and it's stuck, but blow and you will hear the air pocket go through the tun. Should run off quicker for a bit. Repeat process until you have your runoff completed
And remember to use rice hulls the next time.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

My ball valve has a barb attached to it. So throw on an appropriate sized hose, tighten is down with a worm clamp if needed. If wort run off slows down too much and it's stuck, but blow and you will hear the air pocket go through the tun. Should run off quicker for a bit. Repeat process until you have your runoff completed
And remember to use rice hulls the next time.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Ok thanks ! Should I take the hose out of the braid and just use braid?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Natdavis777]

Does your braid filter still have the rubber hose inside it? If so, that needs to come out so there is a higher surface area for wort to permeate through.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

Does your braid filter still have the rubber hose inside it? If so, that needs to come out so there is a higher surface area for wort to permeate through.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Yes I put it back in after I cut slits in the bottom of it, as you would a manifold, should I take it out?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[GenIke]

You're using a water supply hose, right? If so then, Yeah take that rubber hose out. You just want the stainless braid portion

 

[garvinator70]

You're using a water supply hose, right? If so then, Yeah take that rubber hose out. You just want the stainless braid portion

Correct , thanks I will take it out. I thought it would claps with out it ?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[GenIke]

Correct , thanks I will take it out. I thought it would claps with out it ?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

I've heard of guys having them collapse but I dont think its a serious problem for regular sized batches. I know there was a tutorial on here somewhere where a guy stuck a stainless spring into the braid for strength.

That said, I've used a plain old toilet braid for a year and have had no problems.

 

[garvinator70]

I've heard of guys having them collapse but I dont think its a serious problem for regular sized batches. I know there was a tutorial on here somewhere where a guy stuck a stainless spring into the braid for strength.



That said, I've used a plain old toilet braid for a year and have had no problems.

Thanks , that's what I wanted to hear! Do you have to use rice hulls also?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[GenIke]

Thanks , that's what I wanted to hear! Do you have to use rice hulls also?


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

I have never used them. I've done some wheat heavy hefe's too which is supposed to be more problematic, but I've not had any issues.

 

[garvinator70]

I have never used them. I've done some wheat heavy hefe's too which is supposed to be more problematic, but I've not had any issues.

Great thanks ! Thats awesome


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Natdavis777]

Use rice hulls with when wheat or rye are a significant part of the grain bill. If you are only using 1 or 2 lbs, you can skip the hulls. If it's anything over 25%, a handful with do you some good. Also, before mashing, compress your braid (push the two ends together) and that should help with not getting stuck as well. My braid was really stretched out once and it was a bitch to drain. Had to throw on some gloves and compress it to allow more fluid to run through. Hope this helps


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[garvinator70]

Use rice hulls with when wheat or rye are a significant part of the grain bill. If you are only using 1 or 2 lbs, you can skip the hulls. If it's anything over 25%, a handful with do you some good. Also, before mashing, compress your braid (push the two ends together) and that should help with not getting stuck as well. My braid was really stretched out once and it was a bitch to drain. Had to throw on some gloves and compress it to allow more fluid to run through. Hope this helps


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

Can't wait to brew another! Cheers.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew