Ok, really new to this, on my 3rd 1-gallon batch.
So what I've been doing is heating 3 quarts and of water to 170 and put in a muslin bag with my grains stirring every 15 min for 1 hour keeping temp between 145 and 155.
I then pull out the muslin bag and place it in a colander which i place on top of the kettle. Then I pour through about 2 quarts of 170 degree water to sparge.
I then boil for an hour, add my hops, etc.
My question is should I be using the water I mashed my grains in or do I dump it and only use the sparging water?
Sorry for the noob question and thank you for your help.
So what I've been doing is heating 3 quarts and of water to 170 and put in a muslin bag with my grains stirring every 15 min for 1 hour keeping temp between 145 and 155.
I then pull out the muslin bag and place it in a colander which i place on top of the kettle. Then I pour through about 2 quarts of 170 degree water to sparge.
I then boil for an hour, add my hops, etc.
My question is should I be using the water I mashed my grains in or do I dump it and only use the sparging water?
Sorry for the noob question and thank you for your help.