Batch or Fly Sparge

[Toot]

There are hundreds of threads on the net on this subject but out of curiosity....

Who batch sparges and who fly sparges and why?

Ive only ever batch sparged but with a new keg setup about to be debuted this weekend im thinking about new techniques.

[MrC]

Yeah, I agree. Horses for courses. Do what suits you best with what you have at the time.

[Mike Neilson]

Do you want to buy a HLT jt? I have one for Sale.

[jt]

Cheers chap but I'm sweet really.
2 pots with known volumes - fill from tap - heat on stove - dump in mash - like Glen said, no thought required - and it's best kept that way !

If I ever upgrade it'll be all the way to double batch size because I don't like to spend so long brewing for one keg

cheers, jt

[Mike Neilson]

This is a double batch size HLT???

[jt]

I'd use my kettle - 28 litre - as HLT if I upgraded - adding temp control.
Would need new tun and kettle. One day, maybe

Thanks for thinking of me all the same

cheers, jt

[Reviled]

Im trying to find an HLT but only need about a 10 litre one lol

[James P]

Ahem to that jt, I am getting my shit sorted for making an electric keg (as opposed to electric puha!).

I have a 10 gallon cooler, and a 50 litre keg, I *should* be able to do a double batch boil yes?

[vdog]

You might, depends how vigorous your boil is, and how closely you want to watch it. I reckon in a 50L keg you'd manage about 45L max as a starting volume, which (depending how big you cut the hole in the top and whether you use a lid) could give you anywhere from 35-40L at the end - say 37 after trub loss? I was never game to do a boil that size in our 50L keg, but maybe gas-fired is a bit more volatile.

[Haish]

You'll struggle to do a double batch boil with a 50L keg. I've done double batch boils in my keg and its a pita. You need to do a really long boil progressively adding wort to end up with 40L. Foam control is also necessary to avoid boilovers.

I'm planning an electric keg too. What element are you planning to use? I'm planing to use a 2kW water heater element but may up this to 3 dependiing on how it performs. I'm going to use mine as an HLT and stick with gas for the boil.

[Mike Neilson]

I have done a doublebatch boil thing and its in the case swap. I got 19L (a batch) into the fermenter fermented it out and ended up with 18.3L cose enough to fill a keg. Theres a few things you can do to keep the hot break under control with out that seman looking stuff you can squirt into your beer. Wort aeration dont do it!!!!!!!!!! get rid of as much 02 as you can prior to mashing and do your best not to aerate your wort pre boil!! have you woundered why you get a shity boil late into the boil???? its because theres no oxygen left to cause you a problem. it not to say your wort isnt boiling.

[James P]

Vdog: gas seems more volatile I have had a boil over with a 30L starting volume in my 50L keggle. I was thinking out buying some of the boil control stuff that DG uses, or sit there an spray it with water like I have seen on youtube!

haish: Not exactly sure yet, I have read the 2kW have issues getting large volumes up to boil. May need to add a secondary element to get up to boil. In my dream situation the whole thing is going to be run from PC controlled program..... one day....

Mike: batch size into fermenter is usually 22 litres so there are a couple of bottles for saving. Until I can get consistent results from bottling from my keg, it is easy to bottle condition for the likes of the NHC. Maybe I just need to experiment....

[jt]

Depends on the power you're putting through it. I do 24-25 litres in a 28 litre still base and watch like a hawk .. and hop additions would be hair-raising if only I had some left