Batch spargin question.

[Robdog]

After reading the excellent web page about batch sparging i got a link to on here i now understand how to work out all of the amounts of liquid i will need etc etc.

My question is though can i put the first batch of wort straight into the boiler then just run the second batch on top of it because on the page the first batch goes into another collection vessle and the second batch goes direct into the boiler then the first batch is added.

Here is the page i mean http://www.18000feet.com/batch_sparging/english_ale.htm

Its not extra hassle really either way but if i can run batch one into the boiler then batch 2 on top it just means less stuff to steralise and less vessles to be cleaned afterwards.

The only reason i can think of for adding the first batch to another vessle is that there was only one boiler which after the first batch was still being used as a HLT.

[Northern Brewer]

A lot will depend on where and how you boil. I boil outdoors because the steam is a pain in the house. My first run-off equates to about 15 litres and I get this going in the boiler while I'm collecting the second runnings into buckets or whatever. I usually bring the second runnings to the boil in my collection of stock pots before returning them to the boiler, because I don't want to interrupt the 90 min boil, which of course by now contains the hops. This shortens my brew day. There would be nothing to stop you running the second runnings into the boiler, but it will take longer for your boil to start.

[Robdog]

Ill be doing the boil in the kitchen, wife permiting, so i think ill run the first lot off into the boiler then leave that while i do the second lot and then start the boil. I can always change things around when i get more experianced. I have a twin element for the boiler so that should speed things up a bit.

Ive also been thinking about maybe doing a continious sparge say just adding 2 litres of hot liquor a time until the required amount has passed through the grain. It will mean though il have to keep track of how much im putting in until i have added the required amount.

I think though as its my first brew i may do a normal batch sparge and as stated above let the first lot go into the boiler then run the second lot off into the boiler then do the boil. Maybe a bit long winded but it will do me to get me started.

Now for the boiler do you have to steralise these as i would imagine the boil will steralise the wort anyway?

[Parva]

In short yes Robdog, that is exactly how I do it. Collect and return first couple of jug fulls then run off into boiler. Fill with 2nd batch, stir and wait 10 minutes, collect first two jugs and return, run off into boiler. Also, what sterillising? There is no need to sanitise ANYTHING prior to the boil, not even the boiler. It's only post-boil where sanitisation becomes necessary.

[Robdog]

Ah thats excellent so i only really need to sanatise the FV

[Parva]

Ah thats excellent so i only really need to sanatise the FV

Basically yes (and the thermometer and anything used to aereate the wort).

[Robdog]

Excellent. Im running out of space to put beer now though im gonna have to get some of my kit beer drunk, what a shame ay?

To be honest im impressed with what ive done from kits so im hoping AG will be even better than that.