I've been brewing for a number of years now and recently upgraded to a 20 gl stout tank system. I've used the system 3 times and my Sparge seems to be inefficient. Hoping for some ideas on how to fix it or a suggestion from other Stout tank users. Here are links to the mash tun and sparge arm I am using:
https://conical-fermenter.com/20-Ga...-Recirculating-Fitting-and-Bottom-Outlet.html
https://conical-fermenter.com/Sparge-Arm-10.html
Here's my process:
Mash for 60 minutes
Hook up a 90 degree elbow and recirculate for 15 minutes
Hook up the Sparge arm and rinse the grains with 170 degree water
I try to do this as slow as possible but I do not get the rain effect unless it is fully open- it just kind of drizzles over the top. Sparging on this system went way too fast the first time- about 30 minutes for a 15 gallon batch. I have slowed it down to 45 minutes but I feel that is still too fast. At my preboil, my gravity is low and there is still plenty of sugars left in my mash tun. In essence, I'll continue to sparge into a bucket until my runoff gravity reads between 1.015 and 1.020 on my refractometer. Then I'll boil, adding the extra runoff as volume permits until I have my preboil volume. I've successfully hit my numbers this way but it takes an awful lot more sparge water and propane to boil off and make room in the kettle. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can improve the efficiency of my sparge-
maybe turn on the sparge arm full bore then when the tanks full of water slowly drain? I wouldn't keep the constant 1/4 of water above the grain bed this way. Anyone have this system and can advise?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the lengthy post.
Steve
https://conical-fermenter.com/20-Ga...-Recirculating-Fitting-and-Bottom-Outlet.html
https://conical-fermenter.com/Sparge-Arm-10.html
Here's my process:
Mash for 60 minutes
Hook up a 90 degree elbow and recirculate for 15 minutes
Hook up the Sparge arm and rinse the grains with 170 degree water
I try to do this as slow as possible but I do not get the rain effect unless it is fully open- it just kind of drizzles over the top. Sparging on this system went way too fast the first time- about 30 minutes for a 15 gallon batch. I have slowed it down to 45 minutes but I feel that is still too fast. At my preboil, my gravity is low and there is still plenty of sugars left in my mash tun. In essence, I'll continue to sparge into a bucket until my runoff gravity reads between 1.015 and 1.020 on my refractometer. Then I'll boil, adding the extra runoff as volume permits until I have my preboil volume. I've successfully hit my numbers this way but it takes an awful lot more sparge water and propane to boil off and make room in the kettle. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can improve the efficiency of my sparge-
maybe turn on the sparge arm full bore then when the tanks full of water slowly drain? I wouldn't keep the constant 1/4 of water above the grain bed this way. Anyone have this system and can advise?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the lengthy post.
Steve