| Author |
Message |
    
Paul Hoepper
Junior Member
Username: Hep
Post Number: 69
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 01:33 am: | 
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Guys,
Any correlation between run off speed & efficiency when sparging using the traditional sparge technique?
Cheers
Paul |
Ramon A
New Member
Username: Ramon
Post Number: 22
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 02:12 am: |
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Yes there is. I brewed a kolsch yesterday and because I was running off too quickly (approx. 40 minutes), my efficiency dropped to 62%! I was shootin for 16 (15 final after CFC loss) gallons of 1.048, and only got 13.5 of 1.044. I have become much less of a technical brewer than I was before, but I attribute the efficiency loss to a rapid vorlauf and sparge that compacted the grain bed and prevented the sugars from being rinsed. I think that's it. Of course, I've been doing some QA with my beers today, so I could be completely off my rocker.
When I had a 3-tier setup, I never spent less than 1 hour sparging, and ALWAYS had a consistent 75-78% efficiency. I have since switched to a 2-tier system, ala the morebeer sculptures, and have had multiple pump issues preventing smooth fly sparging. I've done a couple of batch sparges adhoc, but I miss being able to set the sparge from my HLT. I'm sure I could eventually figure out my efficiency and consistency with a batch sparge setup, but I need to do some upgrades before then. |
J. Steinhauer
Advanced Member
Username: Jstein6870
Post Number: 699
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 02:24 am: |
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With quicker runoff, you allow less time for the sugars in the grain to distribute themselves in the hot liquor. Usually, when I compact the grain, the runoff is slower, and efficiency goes higher. Channeling can contribute, too. It's hard to have the patience with the pump to let it runoff for an hour, I agree. I have also seen a 5-10 point loss in extract between 1 hour and 30 minutes of lauter time. |
Aaron Meyer
Member
Username: Meyeaard
Post Number: 136
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 02:18 pm: |
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If you're after a quick lauter time, you might try Denny's popular batch sparge method. My setup is getting 73%-75% efficiency quite regularly. Not quite as high as a fly sparge but to me grain is cheaper than time. |
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Brews and Views Archive 2005 
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