1st AG Brewday 9/05/07

[Vossy1]

Only relevant for fly sparging as well. This is a batch sparge

I see, I've just re read the topic and still wouldn't have guessed that based on volumes alone

Cheers POP, sorry RTD...too keen to help...never mind

[roger the dog]

Hey, thanks anyway Vossy, think I've b*ggered it up already by miscalculating the batch sparge volumes, anyone know if I can do a 3rd batch sparge to get the required amount of wort ?

[tubby_shaw]

Sounds like your first grain brewing session is going reasonably well RTD
Best bit of advice I can give you is not to panic and enjoy the day.
Good luck with the rest of it.

[Vossy1]

anyone know if I can do a 3rd batch sparge to get the required amount of wort ?

Can't see why not as long as you keep an eye on the gravity...maybe rinse ltr by ltr....anybody

[PieOPah]

Roger, you can theoretically do as many 'sparges' as you need to do.

In the past I have doe 3 sparges with a fourth for spare wort.

[bitter_dave]

Hey, thanks anyway Vossy, think I've b*ggered it up already by miscalculating the batch sparge volumes, anyone know if I can do a 3rd batch sparge to get the required amount of wort ?

When I used to batch sparge I often used to do a third batch sparge - I didn't bother with calculating the amounts etc - I just followed wheeler's description of 'remashing' - I kept going until I got a reasonable amount of wort or hit 1006. Why don't you add the water to the tun, and measure the gravity of the spargings when they come out - if they are above 1006 (or 1010 if you prefer) add them to the boiler 'till you think you have enough.

Also, remember on your first AG things will not go perfectly, but at the end of it you should have nice beer. Brewing is amazing forgiving to imperfections.

[roger the dog]

Ooh that's made me feel a bit better then. I've just added the second batch sparge liquor, 9 litres. I'll check the SG of the runnings & see how it's going. Should have about 23l after this run, anyone know what I should be aiming for as a final pre-boil volume ?

[PieOPah]

For a 22.71 litre batch, you would probably want around 30 litres of wort. This should take into account most of your losses. For your next brew you'll know whether this was too much or too little.

[bitter_dave]

.... remember, if you do end up with less wort at the end you can top it up to final gravity with water... so don't fret too much if you end up with less wort at the end than the final volume.

[roger the dog]

Thanks chaps, this is a great help

[PieOPah]

.... remember, if you do end up with less wort at the end you can top it up to final gravity with water... so don't fret too much if you end up with less wort at the end than the final volume.

Although when you find that you have hit your gravity but missed your volume, it can be quite depressing having to water down (or have less pints).

If you do need to water down, it is better to do it with (pre-boiled, cooled) wort rather than water!

[BarryNL]

.... remember, if you do end up with less wort at the end you can top it up to final gravity with water... so don't fret too much if you end up with less wort at the end than the final volume.

Plus, I assume you'll be dumping at least a litre of starter in there?

[PieOPah]

Plus, I assume you'll be dumping at least a litre of starter in there?

Unless using dry yeast

[BarryNL]

Plus, I assume you'll be dumping at least a litre of starter in there?

Unless using dry yeast

True - though if I'd gone to the trouble of AG I'd want to pretty much guarantee it would take off within a few hours rather than wait a day or more for a dry yeast to kick in.

Mind you, last time I made a starter it took off so hard I was cleaning up for ages...

[roger the dog]

I'm using Safale S-04, I'm just going to rehydrate it in about 300mls of water. Second batch sparge run-off under way. SG is 1012 @ 61°C so hoping to get another sparge out of it