66 replies to this topic

[Mynameisluka]

I would say that I utilize a pump and a float switch to automate my fly sparging... otherwise I would just do batch sparging. A popular setup these days is the "Cube" cooler. Do a little searching in the forum here and you will find a few discussions. I lost my instructions on how to convert my 48 Quart cooler, otherwise I'd forward them to you. And I don't know where I found them on the net... but they were great instructions.

I used to do some hydroponic gardening, and i still have a brand new pump and several brand new float switches. hmmm...i will dig around to find the "cube cooler" instructions.thanks for all the help.

[Deerslyr]

I used to do some hydroponic gardening, and i still have a brand new pump and several brand new float switches. hmmm...i will dig around to find the "cube cooler" instructions.thanks for all the help.

Pump needs to be rated for food and also high temps. Most use the March 809 Pump. Remember, at points the fluid being transfered will be near boiling.

[Mynameisluka]

Pump needs to be rated for food and also high temps. Most use the March 809 Pump. Remember, at points the fluid being transfered will be near boiling.

ahh...good point. batch sparging sounds cool.

[djinkc]

can you elaborate a little more? what size cooler would you suggest for batch sparging 5 or 10 gallon batches? is there a cooler that will work well for both?

70 qt ColemanI used to batch sparge. This worked fine for 10 gal batches. I've only done one small 5 gal batch for canning starters. It seemed to work fine that day too.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

70 qt ColemanI used to batch sparge. This worked fine for 10 gal batches. I've only done one small 5 gal batch for canning starters. It seemed to work fine that day too.

I use something like that for fly sparging. I did an 11 g batch of 1.090 barleywine in it with room to spare.

[Deerslyr]

ahh...good point. batch sparging sounds cool.

It sounds like you may eventually make the move to fly sparging... in which case you might want to construct a manifold out of cpvc so you will be ready when the day comes. Keep in mind that if someone close to you asks you what you want for your birthday or Christmas... it's ok to give them this link!A little bit down the road you may want to invest in a mill so you can have the benefit of buying grain in bulk. I just picked up a 55 pound bag of 2 Row for $33.

[MtnBrewer]

It sounds like you may eventually make the move to fly sparging... in which case you might want to construct a manifold out of cpvc or copper so you will be ready when the day comes.

Fixed.

[Deerslyr]

Fixed.

My copper welding skills suck. cpvc is easy to cut and glue. also quite a bit cheaper than copper. either way though... it's all good. I've got copper elsewhere in my system, so I get the alleged benefit of copper in other areas.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

My copper welding skills suck. cpvc is easy to cut and glue. also quite a bit cheaper than copper. either way though... it's all good. I've got copper elsewhere in my system, so I get the alleged benefit of copper in other areas.

My manifold is copper and cpvc but not soldered or glued. I need to be able to take it apart to clean it out.

[Mynameisluka]

Keep in mind that if someone close to you asks you what you want for your birthday or Christmas... it's ok to give them this link!A little bit down the road you may want to invest in a mill so you can have the benefit of buying grain in bulk. I just picked up a 55 pound bag of 2 Row for $33.

link sent to wifey as an early christmas list idea.i like it!

[Mynameisluka]

My manifold is copper and cpvc but not soldered or glued. I need to be able to take it apart to clean it out.

with the cpvc, that makes sense because that stuff fits together fairly tightly. but, how do you keep your copper stuff together?

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

with the cpvc, that makes sense because that stuff fits together fairly tightly. but, how do you keep your copper stuff together?

the copper couplings keep everything together pretty well. I bent the end caps slightly out of round with channel locks. This holds them securely on the pipes, but still removable.

[Mynameisluka]

you know, now that i think about it, copper fittings fit together fairly tight.

[Deerslyr]

I should qualify my cpvc manifold by saying that not all pieces are glued together for ease of cleaning. It can be taken apart. Chris, you will find that no two manifolds are the same.

[BrewerGeorge]

You want to glue/solder most of the fittings together, but leave a few key pieces loose enough to be taken apart. I hold mine together by cutting a slit in the female side of the fitting and squeezing it with a worm screw clamp.

[Mynameisluka]

hmm...how hard is fly sparging without the pump? i guess it would have to be gravity fed from a hot liquor tun into the mash tun, and then from the mash tun into the kettle, which would require three levels. i'll eventually end up building a stand for all of this, but i'll wait until i get all of the equipment the way i want it.shoot...i'll probably end up going big like this guy one day.https://www.lamabrewery.com/:)

[Deerslyr]

hmm...how hard is fly sparging without the pump? i guess it would have to be gravity fed from a hot liquor tun into the mash tun, and then from the mash tun into the kettle, which would require three levels. i'll eventually end up building a stand for all of this, but i'll wait until i get all of the equipment the way i want it.shoot...i'll probably end up going big like this guy one day.https://www.lamabrewery.com/

Never fly sparged without a pump because I wasn't set up for gravity. I hear some guys do it though.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

hmm...how hard is fly sparging without the pump? i guess it would have to be gravity fed from a hot liquor tun into the mash tun, and then from the mash tun into the kettle, which would require three levels. i'll eventually end up building a stand for all of this, but i'll wait until i get all of the equipment the way i want it.shoot...i'll probably end up going big like this guy one day.https://www.lamabrewery.com/

When I first started all grain, I would fly sparge by dipping a pitcher into the hlt and pouring it into a strainer over the mt. It was not the most efficient method, but got the job done. I have one pump now which still requires 2 tiers. A pump is really nice for vorlouf. I've been thinking about a second pump. Has anyone seen pics of Tasty McDoles set up? It looks like his pumps are mounted to the front of the keggles.

[BarelyBrews]

i have considered partial mash, but it seems to me that if i am going to do that i might as well go ahead and do all-grain.what say you brews-bros?

I would try the Partial mash first,i think you would like it.And find that it doesn't cost much to try it.My first partial mash, i cracked the grains with a roller pin(was a pain).Anyhow i found it was a great addition to extract kits.My 2 cents.

[Mynameisluka]

I would try the Partial mash first,i think you would like it.And find that it doesn't cost much to try it.My first partial mash, i cracked the grains with a roller pin(was a pain).Anyhow i found it was a great addition to extract kits.My 2 cents.

did you use the paint strainer concept?