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raffeja
Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Asheville, NC
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:37 pm Post subject: mash tun brand/false bottom setup |
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I'm currently using a converted keg with a hinged false bottom from Stainless Brewing (http://stainlessbrewing.3dcartstores.com/15-SS-Hinged-False-Bottom-_p_163.html). I get terrible grain bed compaction and have to stir throughout the mash to keep it flowing. Has anyone tried other brands outside of Blichmann? Not hating on them, just exploring all options. Spike Brewing looks to have a nice setup and false bottom for a lot cheaper. Blichmann certainly has the most unique false bottom design. Should I shut up and drop the cash on the Blichmann or is anyone having luck with other options?
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raffeja
Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Asheville, NC
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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P.S. I have a pretty coarse crush, so it has nothing to do with that
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11123 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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How coarse is coarse ? What do you have your mill gap set to?
What pump are you using?
Kal
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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raffeja
Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Asheville, NC
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Mill is set at 0.046" and I'm using a Chugger pump SS center inlet.
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11123 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Cool. Thanks for confirming. So your mill is set fairly coarse as you mentioned, and you should be able to run that pump full throttle without any issues.
You could loosen the mill slightly to 0.050 - 0.055" or so and mash slightly longer but I doubt it'll help much if you're having severe grain bed compaction issues today at 0.046".
I do really like Blickmann kettles and would still use them if I had to rebuild today, even though there are many more options available now. They are more expensive, but they're the "pay once, cry once" solution that I find gets everything right. I have some thoughts/opinions on the spike kettles here if you're curious: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=315946#315946
Good luck!
Kal
_________________ Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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raffeja
Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Asheville, NC
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Link Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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I always appreciate your prompt and detailed responses. Thanks for everything.
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11123 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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JMD887
Joined: 31 Jan 2018 Posts: 120 Location: Akron, Ohio
Drinking: Two Hearted Ale
Working on: American Red IPA
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11123 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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My thoughts here on sparge arms: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/mash-lauter-tun?page=3
LD/DR: You don't need anything fancy. I get 95% mash efficiency with a simple hose. Keeping the setup simple results in no chance of clogs, less parts to clean, less cost, and less work.
Kal
_________________ Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
Last edited by kal on Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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JMD887
Joined: 31 Jan 2018 Posts: 120 Location: Akron, Ohio
Drinking: Two Hearted Ale
Working on: American Red IPA
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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kal wrote: | My thoughts here on sparge arms: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/mash-lauter-tun?page=3
LD/DR: You don't need anything fancy. I get 95% mash efficiency with a simple hose. Keeping the setup simple results in no chance of clogs, less parts to clean, less cost, and less work.
Kal |
Sweet- good to know. Thank you.
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 664 Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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One thing I would suggest is using a QD on the hose connection to the inside of the kettle. Makes it nice to remove when cleaning or adding grain. I just hang it up with the other hoses at the end of the brew.
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JMD887
Joined: 31 Jan 2018 Posts: 120 Location: Akron, Ohio
Drinking: Two Hearted Ale
Working on: American Red IPA
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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dp Brewing Company wrote: | One thing I would suggest is using a QD on the hose connection to the inside of the kettle. Makes it nice to remove when cleaning or adding grain. I just hang it up with the other hoses at the end of the brew. |
I like that- I think that will be the golden ticket!
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11123 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Yep - depending on your setup and process, making the hose removable may help you out. I toyed with the idea but ended up not using one.
Kal
_________________ Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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JMD887
Joined: 31 Jan 2018 Posts: 120 Location: Akron, Ohio
Drinking: Two Hearted Ale
Working on: American Red IPA
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not to sure how my process will change/ adapt to the new set up- guessing there will be a bit of trial and error... but more coast affective to play around with a QD than $70-100 attachment to start.
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 664 Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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Link Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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You can always use a QD for something else if you don't like using it in the MT. So out no money!
_________________ Visit dp Brewing Company
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701pilot
Joined: 10 May 2016 Posts: 50 Location: northern california
Drinking: Bohemian Pilsner,Caribou Slobber, Munich Helles, Weissbier, Black Bute Porter, RIS, Irish Red Ale
Working on: Milk Chocolate Stout
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Link Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 2:52 am Post subject: |
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JMD887
I use the ss SS Brewtech recirculation manifold. I modified it to use a 1/2" hose for better circulation. I was having a very uneven grain bed using the loose hose methed. I gained about 3% mash efficency, now i have a very leval grain bed.
_________________ Mark
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JMD887
Joined: 31 Jan 2018 Posts: 120 Location: Akron, Ohio
Drinking: Two Hearted Ale
Working on: American Red IPA
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Link Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 3:16 am Post subject: |
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Mark,
Awesome- thanks for your input. Greatly appreciated!
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dp Brewing Company
Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 664 Location: Midwest
Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes
Working on: Nothing
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Link Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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701pilot wrote: | JMD887
I use the ss SS Brewtech recirculation manifold. I modified it to use a 1/2" hose for better circulation. I was having a very uneven grain bed using the loose hose methed. I gained about 3% mash efficency, now i have a very leval grain bed. |
I've thought about getting that attachment a few times. I just didn't like how it used such a small hose size. How did you modify it?
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raffeja
Joined: 22 May 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Asheville, NC
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dtapke
Joined: 26 Oct 2018 Posts: 12 Location: Portage, Wisconsin
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Link Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I use the sparge manifold and the autosparge from your links and love them both. Obviously they're gadgets, and I like gadgets. The autosparge is great for me as it allows be to run my sparge pump and mash pump and the sparge level stays perfect during the whole sparge. this allows me to do long slow sparges on bigger batches (18-24 gallons) hands free. I also use the Blichmann G2 valve on the input to my kettle which really lets me dial in the flow i want.
but do you need them? not at all. I know folks that get nearly the same efficiency i do on cooler mash tuns doing batch sparging with a stripped out stainless braided toilet supply line for the false bottom
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