Batch Sparging equipment

[J.Brew]

I use a false bottom, it works eficiently for batch and fly. It's a bit more expensive than a manifold, and to tell the truth, if I knew then what i know now, I probably would have designed my own braided manifiold. Check ou Palmers How to Brew. It's a gold mine of info on this topic!

Cheers!

[Thirsty Mallard]

I had a manifold before I got my false bottom (that I currently use). I can tell you that a manifold will be easier to vorlauf... recirc takes alot longer with a false bottom. As for extraction, you tend to get a little liquid out with a false bottom than with a manifold.

Both will work just fine. I like the false bottom because it looks fancy and is easy to clean.

[el_stevis]

As some one who has a 5gal cooler with the false bottom and uses it quite a lot - definitely take the advice above and go bigger than 5 gal. ESPECIALLY for batch sparging. I can barely fit all the grain and sparge water in the damn thing. I just picked up a really nice rectangular igloo cooler last weekend on sale for $25 and plan to go the Denny Conn route with it. Total cost: $75 (I'm adding a nice stainless ball valve to it... cuz I CAN! You could do it for under $40 easy). As for false bottom versus manifold - my buddy's manifold sticks far less then my false bottom during run off for batch sparging. Take that for what it's worth. Good luck!

Cheers,
Stevis

[Denny]

The 5 gal. round cooler will work, but not as well as a larger rectangular cooler. The rectangular is easier to stir, holds more grain, and best of all it's cheaper. In my testing, a single line of braid is more immune to stuck runoffs and clears the wort faster than either a manifold or a false bottom. Although a manifold made of braid does work extremely well.