AG sparge question

[timw]

Morning all,

Quick question - my boiler is a converted Wilkos fermenter and as a result doesnt have much more than 20 litres of capacity.

Once I've sparged that much, I stick it on to boil. Then I continue to take sparge runnings into a couple of jugs - usually 2 or 3 litres ish.

I then add them to the boil as I go through - topping up to replace the boil off, usually all done within a half hour once I am confident that the boil has calmed to a roll.

But why am I bothering to take runnings and keep them in jugs?? I guess its because when I first started brewing I was focused on completing each stage of the process and then moving on - but is there any reason that I cannot just take runnings as and when I think I can fit them in, direct from the mash tun??

The only issue that I can think if is that the temperature of the wort and grains in the mash tun will have dropped significantly - would that make any difference to the wort being drawn off and added to the boiler?

 

[clibit]

People mash over night, and then mash out and sparge in the morning, when the temp has dropped a lot. So there isn't a problem. I think the main issue is adding wort that is well below 100C to the boiler and losing the boil, I have tended to boil the excess in a separate pan and add it to the kettle when it will fit.

 

[MyQul]

I think the main issue is adding wort that is well below 100C to the boiler and losing the boil, I have tended to boil the excess in a separate pan and add it to the kettle when it will fit.

Although I do BIAB I do his too. I boil my sparge running and add them the main boil. If I don't and just add the running without boiling it takes ages to get it boiling again.

I don't know for sure but I always get the impression that stopping and starting the boil by adding cool sparge runnings somehow affects the hot break