Would this work/First 10G Batch

[mike neff]

I am going to attempt my first a 10 gallon batch in my 15 gallon kettle. I can't fit a full volume so instead of a dunk sparge I was thinking of draining 2 or three gallons from the kettle after the mash is complete into a bucket then adding the sparge water into the kettle with the bag/grains still inside, stir and pull bag. While bags draining pour bucket with first running back into kettle. Think it will work or should I just dunk? Thanks

 

[RM-MN]

It will work that way but you are leaving your bag of grains in wort that is nearly the same as what you drained and will gain little from the sparge. It will be much better if you can drain the kettle and then add the water to the bag of grains for sparging. Pull the bag and let it hang over the kettle to drain and then after it has drained either do a dunk or pour over sparge. I think the dunk sparge will get you more of the sugars but I haven't made a comparison.

 

[apache_brew]

I don't see why not. That seems less messy then tea bagging the grain in another bucket. I went the 2 vessel route and threw the bag in a large cooler to avoid any lifting.

Keep an eye on that kettle for boil overs. Fermcap or a garden hose are good alternatives to extra headspace.

 

[mike neff]

I was thinking more for volume than efficiency, I think ill check gravity after mash and decide either way the sparge water will be there. Good call on fermcap I forgot what a boil over was doing 5 gallon batches in 15 gallon kettle.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Couple “work arounds” for maxing out a kettle that I’ve found helpful...

At the end of the mash rest, top up the kettle w water near the rim, this is helpful as it is difficult to mash in close to the rim, but easy to “flood” the kettle after the mash....

Pull the bag and while hanging over the kettle, pour sparge water through the bag in small volumes trickling the sparge water through the grain. This also makes volume adjustment simple as you can measure what’s in the kettle and merely sparse to volume, and an additional vessel is not required.
One would think the sparge water will just cascade over the outside of the bag, but surprisingly it goes through the grain much better then expected.
Regardless, any method passing the water through the grain is better then just topping up the kettle w water.
I’ve never checked gravity of the trickle sparge, but it appears colorful and sticky lol fwiw

 

[Jeff Kroosz]

I don't see why not. That seems less messy then tea bagging the grain in another bucket. I went the 2 vessel route and threw the bag in a large cooler to avoid any lifting.

Keep an eye on that kettle for boil overs. Fermcap or a garden hose are good alternatives to extra headspace.

What is the garden hose trick to avoid BO's?

 

[RM-MN]

As the foam starts to build up a spray of water will quickly knock it down. I do the same thing by knocking down the foam with a wire whisk but the spray would be easier. Personally I would use a spray bottle instead of the hose.

 

[Jeff Kroosz]

As the foam starts to build up a spray of water will quickly knock it down. I do the same thing by knocking down the foam with a wire whisk but the spray would be easier. Personally I would use a spray bottle instead of the hose.

I'll stick with ferm cap. Thanks for the reply.

 

[LittleRiver]

This is the simplest and most efficient way I've found.

• Mash with 1/2 of the total water
• Drain the wort into a bucket, leaving the bag & grains in place
• Add the second half of the water to the grains, stir thoroughly
• Raise the bag, pour the bucket of wort into the kettle, fire the heat for the boil
• Leave the bag draining over the kettle during the boil (no squeeze)

 

[mike neff]

Went with the pour over sparge and it worked great. For some reason I always thought that i would some how have to the bag open while hanging and pour through the opening. Thanks for the tips.