WTF am I doing? Sparge question

[tmontana48154]

Ok so i've done 3 ag batches now and have been trying to read up on things as much as possible.
I came across threads and articles about batch and fly sparging and I realized neither really sounded exactly like what I have been doing, so my question is what the heck am I doing and is this wrong?

So here is what I'm doing:
I mash for an hour or so and drain all the wort.
I then take my heated sparge water (175F) and use a small pot to add it to the cooler. (This takes me about 10 minutes)
I then give a bit of a stir and open up the valve so it starts to very slowly drain (it takes about an hour to drain)
I then add this to my first runnings.

So am I doing this completely wrong?

I use an igloo cooler with false bottom for the whole process.
My efficiency has been 70%, 72%, and 71%.

 

[Walker]

you are batch sparging... but you are just doing it really really really slow.

instead of the little pot, just dump it all in at once.
then stir.
then wait 10 minutes.
then drain it all to the kettle, and do it fast.

 

[bullinachinashop]

Single batch sparge.
You'll get better efficiency if you double batch sparge and split your sparge water.
After a stir and rest, vorlauf until clear and let er rip.
Bull

 

[lumpher]

i agree with walker (a damn fine source). i single-batch sparge. i drain my mash, then re-mash at 168 with lots more water. i drain the water, then cook it all up

 

[LarryC]

Your pretty close but spending more time on the sparge than required. After I get my initial runnings I pour about 1/2 of the amount of 170° water I will need to get my boil volume (total volume - first runnings volume divided by 2). Stire completely, let it set about 10 minutes and then drain just like I did the first time (don't forget the Vorlauf step to clear the runnings). Repaeat until you have your pre boil volume.

Here's a link to a good write up that I used
clicky

The best part is, your next brew day will go much faster

 

[bovineblitz]

Single batch sparge.
You'll get better efficiency if you double batch sparge and split your sparge water.
After a stir and rest, vorlauf until clear and let er rip.
Bull

I used to double batch sparge, then I decided the one or two percentage points wasn't worth my time.

 

[tmontana48154]

Thanks for the replies I'm happy to hear that I can speed this up.
I will try doing a double batch sparge next time to see how that goes. Oh and yes I did fail to mention it in my description but I do vorlauf before I collect.

 

[bullinachinashop]

I used to double batch sparge, then I decided the one or two percentage points wasn't worth my time.

I don't batch sparge.

I fly sparge and love the fact that it takes a long time!

My time spent brewing is medicine for the brain.

Bull

 

[mateomtb]

Here's a link to a good write up that I used
clicky

The best part is, your next brew day will go much faster

That link is great thanks for posting it.

 

[bovineblitz]

I don't batch sparge.

I fly sparge and love the fact that it takes a long time!

My time spent brewing is medicine for the brain.

Bull

I can't wait for the day when that's the case for me. Brewing AG in a small apartment in a kitchen isn't as relaxing as what I envision for my future brewhouse.

 

[Jcmccoy]

Don't forget to vorlauf!!!