Batch sparging

[SeasideBrewer]

Three weeks ago I did an SNPA clone. I batch sparge. I mash with mash water in litres at 2.5 times the weight of the grain in kilos, and then sparge twice with each sparge at 50% of the water required to make up the total amount of wort I want to go into the boiler. I usually leave each sparge for 15 mins and then it takes a further 15 mins to re-circulate 3 or 4 times and then run the wort off.

However on this occasion I was pushed for time so squeezed all of the sparge water into the mash tun in one go. So one lot of batch sparging instead of two.

The brew has come out really well. But maybe I was lucky. Are there any issues to consider with just one sparge, or can I go that route again and save half hour or so off of my brew day?

cheers

[jonnyt]

That's what BIAB does

Effectively a mash-out stage

[Spud395]

If you can fit it in the mash tun, go for it.

[jonnyt]

I bottled Mysterio's SNPA clone around 4 weeks ago. What a brew, better than the original IMHO

[Rookie]

Three weeks ago I did an SNPA clone. I batch sparge. I mash with mash water in litres at 2.5 times the weight of the grain in kilos, and then sparge twice with each sparge at 50% of the water required to make up the total amount of wort I want to go into the boiler. I usually leave each sparge for 15 mins and then it takes a further 15 mins to re-circulate 3 or 4 times and then run the wort off.

However on this occasion I was pushed for time so squeezed all of the sparge water into the mash tun in one go. So one lot of batch sparging instead of two.

The brew has come out really well. But maybe I was lucky. Are there any issues to consider with just one sparge, or can I go that route again and save half hour or so off of my brew day?

cheers

Good post. I haven't done batch sparging yet and was also wondering about putting all the water in at once.

[nobby]

The way I sparge is similar. I drain the mash tun then put about 15 litres in and give it a good stir and leave for 10 minutes. I then slowly fill the mash tun up to the top and turn the tap on a little so it’s just trickling out. Obviously re-circulate at first. Then when the level falls an inch top it back up and keep doing this until all the sparge water is in the mash tun. It’s drained directly into the boiler and turned on as soon as the elements are covered. It takes about 20 minutes to drain all the sparge water but it works and get very good efficiency.

[Rick_UK]

I do it in 2 but only because my equpment isn't big enough for one.

As an aside, why are you recirculating 3 or 4 times? This seems a tad excessive and unecessary unless I too am doing something wrong?! I just recirculate the first litre or so where the wort is a bit cloudy.

Rick

[gnutz2]

I sometimes sparge in 3 batches and sometimes in 2 and so far i cant tell any difference, i imagine it's the same doing it in one batch.

I also never check sparge water temperature any more, as long as its warm (between 70-90) i just sparge, also i've never noticed any difference in efficience or taste.

[Spud395]

I sometimes sparge in 3 batches and sometimes in 2 and so far i cant tell any difference, i imagine it's the same doing it in one batch.

I also never check sparge water temperature any more, as long as its warm (between 70-90) i just sparge, also i've never noticed any difference in efficience or taste.

I'll have to say I find sparge temperature make a big difference to effiencey.
I noticed when I introduced a mash out step by raising my grain bed temp to mid seventies it improved my effiencey considerably

[gnutz2]

I sometimes sparge in 3 batches and sometimes in 2 and so far i cant tell any difference, i imagine it's the same doing it in one batch.

I also never check sparge water temperature any more, as long as its warm (between 70-90) i just sparge, also i've never noticed any difference in efficience or taste.

I'll have to say I find sparge temperature make a big difference to effiencey.
I noticed when I introduced a mash out step by raising my grain bed temp to mid seventies it improved my effiencey considerably

Strange, i just turn the HLT on for 20 mins or so and pour the hot water into the mash tun, last bag of malt i hit 85-87 %efficiency on all five brews.

Maybe i'm consistent in my randomness