What sparge device to put in my converted cooler.

[formula2fast]

I am going to build a round 10g MLT cooler as I want to start AG brewing, and have seen the blichmann auto sparge, the sparge arm, and the sparge-o-matic. Norcal also has a fixture that has a cross of tubes with a bunch of holes drilled in it too.

Which one are you using? Which one is better? Is one of them not good? I only want to do this once, and want the best efficiency I can get. Any advice is appreciated.

P.S.- I also posted this in the DIY section and have had little response. I am guessing all the guys using these things hang out in this forum, so I thought I would bring it here too. Thanks!

 

[kvess]

The one I have looks like a small shower head. it works great and has a lever that i can adjust the flow.

 

[formula2fast]

That is the sparge-o-matic. That is the first one I saw, but it just seemed so small to sparge over the entire grain bed. Is the spray pattern pretty wide on it?

 

[oakbarn]

Fly sparging. Is for flys. Batch sparge. Put in .5 extra 2 row base

 

[bknifefight]

No additional equipment is needed for batch sparging if that is important to you.

 

[wSelwyn]

I have yet to experiment with anything fancy for fly sparging. I just use an old tupperware lid that I pour my sparge water on top of with a pitcher. Works good for me.

 

[suprchunk]

Fly sparging. Is for flys.

And pros.

 

[kvess]

That is the sparge-o-matic. That is the first one I saw, but it just seemed so small to sparge over the entire grain bed. Is the spray pattern pretty wide on it?

It does have a pretty good pattern on it. I always keep the water 1 inch above the grain line anyway. I can also keep the lid closed and not loose heat.

 

[dbhokie]

I made one with a ball valve and 1/2" spare CPVC. that I can either hook up to a higher HLT for a gravity flow regulated with the ball valve, or I can put a funnel on it and pour from stove and my pitcher. Or screw on an ID barb for tubing.

I just took a T and had one end go up through the lid, another connecting piece and a ball valve on the top of the lid, then a line came out evenly spaced on each side of the T to another T to run two bars across the top spaced evenly from the outermost point and betwixt each other. Then drilled tiny holes in it.

I know there are things that may work better or are better designed, but its how I made mine, I have good efficiency and it was all spare fittings and pipe I already had. With two parallel "showers" it covers the grain bed good and I can kind of angle adjust the drill points for the curvature of the MT.

 

[cabron99]

All you need to do is get the sparge water in without drilling a hole in your grain bed. Keep about 1/2 to 1 inch of water on top. I used some food safe tubing and fittings I found at Lowes.
Pat

 

[formula2fast]

I just want to make sure I get water in around the whole grain bed and not all in one spot. It looks like either the sparge arm or the sparge-o-matic is the way to go.

 

[BigBlue10EM]

I use the stationary sparge arm that northern brewer carries. Has worked well for me.

 

[hafmpty]

I've got one of these for sale if you are interested. I haven't put it in the classified section yet but will be. It does a great job of evenly spreading the sparge water across the grain bed.

www.midwestsupplies.com/stainless-steel-sparge-arm.html

You can install it through the lid of your Rubbermaid MLT like some or I would just rest it across the top and it would spin slowly to gently rinse the grains. It's nice too because you don't need much flow at all for the bar to spin.

I'm looking for $30 shipped. PM me if you're interested.