Grain matter surprise
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DerbyshireNick
Grain matter surprise
Just pitched a brew but there was an issue along the way that ended up being a help. I noticed there was some brown around the boiler element backing (a minor leak had occurred on the previous brew). I normally mash in the evening, leave the wort in the boiler overnight and boil first thing. Because of the leak I left the wort in a bucket overnight while some sealant on the boiler dried. Come morning it was interesting that because it was in a bucket I could see how much rubbish from the grain had settled out... It was allot! The positive is I was able to rack off and leave it behind, what was left did not taste or smell great so it can only be a good thing, I'll be removing it like this from now on... Don't fancy boiling it. I use the bucket between the mash and boil anyway so it's no more effort and we will soon find out if there is any benefit.
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DerbyshireNick
Re: Grain matter surprise
no real interest but what the hell... here are some images anyway...
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far9410
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Re: Grain matter surprise
Know what you mean, but I think after boiling it won't do any harm
no palate, no patience.
Drinking - of course
Drinking - of course
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DerbyshireNick
Re: Grain matter surprise
Yeah... but.... if you boil something that tastes like crap... surely its flavor is going to be carried into the body of the boil (in this case the wort). It may be really really minor but never the less.
The thing was the taste was the same as the twang that settles out around week 4-6 so I wondered if by removing this there would be any difference later on. I suspect its nothing at all but you have to try these things!
The thing was the taste was the same as the twang that settles out around week 4-6 so I wondered if by removing this there would be any difference later on. I suspect its nothing at all but you have to try these things!
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Eric
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Re: Grain matter surprise
Do you recycle the initial runnings from your mash tun?
While most stuff that I've read suggests returning the first two litres or so to the tun, I recycle at least ten before collecting any wort. Even so, the runnings aren't what I would call clear until about half way through a fly sparge of a 23 litre brew. Accordingly I would expect to find some debris in suspension but would be surprised if it was more than a thin layer on the bottom.
While most stuff that I've read suggests returning the first two litres or so to the tun, I recycle at least ten before collecting any wort. Even so, the runnings aren't what I would call clear until about half way through a fly sparge of a 23 litre brew. Accordingly I would expect to find some debris in suspension but would be surprised if it was more than a thin layer on the bottom.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.
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DerbyshireNick
Re: Grain matter surprise
yeah naturally I recycle a good 2-3 litres for the mash and sparges (2x batch) ... maybe I need to do more then.
There is not as much as the image might suggest as the matter is in suspension in the bottom inch of wort.. its not an inch of matter if you are with me.
The thing is this is part of my process at the mo until I fix the issue with one of my boilers (HTL) so its no harm in having it settle out and racking off. I am considering filtering through a muslin or something next time too just out of pure curiosity how much "stuff" is removed.
There is not as much as the image might suggest as the matter is in suspension in the bottom inch of wort.. its not an inch of matter if you are with me.
The thing is this is part of my process at the mo until I fix the issue with one of my boilers (HTL) so its no harm in having it settle out and racking off. I am considering filtering through a muslin or something next time too just out of pure curiosity how much "stuff" is removed.
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Eric
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Re: Grain matter surprise
Yes, fully understand what you say and agree it can't be good to have a lot of insolubles for all sorts of reasons..
Like you, I understood a couple of litres or so might be all the recycling needed. I went further and found I could recyle forever and not get really clear wort. As said, I now recycle for about 15 minutes until I see a distinct change before collecting the wort. As the runnings thin, it also clears. If you batch sparge, of course you would have to repeat the process for each sparge.
Glad to have seen those pictures.
Like you, I understood a couple of litres or so might be all the recycling needed. I went further and found I could recyle forever and not get really clear wort. As said, I now recycle for about 15 minutes until I see a distinct change before collecting the wort. As the runnings thin, it also clears. If you batch sparge, of course you would have to repeat the process for each sparge.
Glad to have seen those pictures.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.