Beer Forum

Been all grain brewing for almost 3 years but I've always used the single braided hose approach for lautering. I just put a false bottom in the new cooler mash tun but I'm a bit concerned on getting a stuck sparge using the batch sparge method.

Any specific advice on how to avoid stuck sparge?

I recently did the same thing and it functions almost identically. You should still be fine to batch sparge.

Awesome, thanks.

This is my biggest point of contention right now. Ran a Cooler with Bazooka Screens for 10 batches with absolutley no issues. Moved to a 15 gallon Minibrew system with Stainless Megapot Falso bottom and RIMS system. I have found, after 4 batches, that it helps to allow the grain to swell and absorb water prior to bringing the pump on and compacting the grains too much. Have had stuck sparges in the beginning of the mash time, say first 10-20 Minutes, but after some stirring and patience, I can run full flow on the RIMS system. I love holding temperature to the single degree F, but proves to be a more 'stressful' mash time.

As said earlier, there should be no problem. Some folks run into stuck sparge problems with a batch sparge when using a tall skinny mashtun with a large amount of grain such as trying to do a 1.060+ beer in a 5 gallon round cooler. A deep grain bed will sometimes compact the grain when doing a quick runoff like you do with a batch sparge. A slow flow as in fly sparging avoids this problem. Pumping the wort from the mashtun will create the same problem. This is why the general consensus that deep grain beds work best for fly sparges (less chance of channeling) and shallow grain beds work best for batch sparging (less compaction).

Wayne

Rice Hulls can also be added to the mash to lighten up the mash and help draining if you are struggling with stuck sparges.

I like others above don't have issues unless my MT is maxed out (converted keg MT) and the extra depth of grain bed compacts down as per Bugeater's excellent post.

You can always go with a higher water:grist ratio. 1.25 qts per lb works fine in my mash tun (false bottom) whether I batch or fly sparge. If I was gettting stuck sparges, I'd have no hesitation formulating everything for a 1.50 qts per lb ratio.

hth=

Thanks for the responses. I'm sure she'l be fine. I may move to fly sparging one day if I see problems. Just wanted to see what the consensus was here.