Here is the Hot Liquor tank (HLT)
Here is a top view of the HLT , it is fitted with a thermostatic temperature control and the water is heated with a 1500 Watt hot water heater element. I will fill it with hot water from my TANKLESS system and this weekend I am going to try and help it out with solar energy.
HLT thermostat set at 190 though I use 170-180 degree mash water
My mash tun
Simple 48 qt rubbermaid cooler fitted with a mini-keg bung in lieu of the drain. That is fitted with a stainless braid water line (yes, the ones at Home Depot) that is run through the bung to an in-line valve for flow control at sparge time.
I always pre-heat my mash tun with a gallon or so of 200 degree water so its nice and hot for the grains and will hold a temperature for a long time.
In go the grains and mash water, the amount of water is dependent on how many grains the recipe calls for. In this case 13lbs of grains = 4.5 gallons of 175 degree water. That is stirred in with the grains and the hope is you hit the mash temp you are looking for, this beer style called for a 152 degree mash.
I think I'll be alright
Batch sparge first run-off
THIS INITIAL RUN-OFF GOES INTO A PITCHER
Once it runs clear, as seen here:
Then I direct the hose into the BOTTOM of the boil kettle and vorlauf (recirculate GENTLY!!!!!) the quart or so that ran to the pitcher.
The second run-off will be equal to the other half of the boil volume. 3.55 gallons ( this was a 90 minute boil )
Here is the second run-off going into the kettle.
As the second run-off is progressing I
hit the burner
...and put the bittering hops in.
PVC adapter, PVC pipe and a 5 gallon paint strainer bag (yup, from Home Depot) keep the hops where they need to be and out of my fermenter
Nothing to do now but more cleaning and get a carboy ready for fermenting
What about all those spent grains you rinsed................... why make bread. There is still some residual sugar and plenty of whole grain goodness. It makes great pizza dough as well
Boiling away...............................