I am about to venture into all grain and have been doing a lot of reading about sparge volumes, evaporation rates, losses due to equipment, grain absorption etc. However, while these calculations seem important, I was thinking of a more intuitive approach: I start with the assumption that the goal of the mash/sparge is to extract a given amount of solubles for a predetermined batch size. So the main objective is to get the solubles in the BK and not worry about sparge volumes.
So, I was just planning on a 1.5 qt/lb mash and fly sparge until I hit 2-3 brix (@ 1.010 gravity). That way the solubles will be extracted while staying away from tannins etc. Also, if my target batch size is too low after boiling, I will just add water to the fermentor since I will have recovered the correct amount of solubles per the batch size.
Seems the focus should be on what is in the water rather than the amount of water.
Am I crazy??? I apologize in advance if this has been covered....
So, I was just planning on a 1.5 qt/lb mash and fly sparge until I hit 2-3 brix (@ 1.010 gravity). That way the solubles will be extracted while staying away from tannins etc. Also, if my target batch size is too low after boiling, I will just add water to the fermentor since I will have recovered the correct amount of solubles per the batch size.
Seems the focus should be on what is in the water rather than the amount of water.
Am I crazy??? I apologize in advance if this has been covered....
