blockage with mash tun

[Bushmaster]

Hello

Over the last few brews I've noticed that when running my wort from mash tun to boiler, the flow of wort slows and then stops completely. I currently use a thermos insulated coolbox as a mash tun, with the usual copper strainer in the bottom. I can only guess this is the build up of grain blocking off the slits in the strainer, but there seems no quick fix to unblock it.

Any ideas please?

[pas8280]

Hi a stuck mash is not uncommon and can usually be quickly sorted by blowing up the pipe to remove the blockage, obviously the grain bed will need to settle again and you will have to recirc the wort until it runs clear again.
If you are having regular problems with stuck mashes it might be worth having a look at the design of the filter, see it you can put more slits into it without losing the integrity of it etc.
Paul

[steve_flack]

Hi a stuck mash is not uncommon and can usually be quickly sorted by blowing up the pipe to remove the blockage

Just make sure you get your timings right as you really don't want a gob full of hot wort.

[Deebee]

Hello

Over the last few brews I've noticed that when running my wort from mash tun to boiler, the flow of wort slows and then stops completely. I currently use a thermos insulated coolbox as a mash tun, with the usual copper strainer in the bottom. I can only guess this is the build up of grain blocking off the slits in the strainer, but there seems no quick fix to unblock it.

Any ideas please?

you may need to make more slits in the manifold. mine are around 4 mm apart. I have had one stuck run off and thatw s due to the use of some specialist roasted malts that basically turned to powder when they were ground down.

Another issue could be the speed of your run off. if you run off too fast the grain bed can collapse.

lastly make a false bottom for the MT Wilkos have some stainless steel BBQ that are ok, i used a chopping board, cut to size and then drilled to death. Works fine.

[Big G]

I had this problem.

Got Fed Up......Converted to the Brew in a Bag Option....Great Results!

[Brotherton Lad]

Just had my first stuck mash on AG11, absolutely no flow from the off (possibly because I'm near the bottom of the sack of barley and it's more powdery, this in spite of the fact I've tried to mix it up). I use a cool box with copper strainer from Brupaks.
So first I stuck a length of syphon pipe on the tap and blew down it. Air went into the mash but still no flow. Then I added a batch of sparge water and stirred it, to no effect. In the end I jugged and tipped the whole lot into my old brewing pillowcase suspended in the boiler, removed, cleaned and hit the copper manifold. After tipping all the mash back into the tun, I got a flow. Though I don't really understand how I fixed it.

[a-slayer]

The easy answer is to put a muslin bag over the the strainer....your problem will be solved. I also have a sheet of perforated plastic that just slides on top of the strainer but in the bag. That's what I do and have never had a problem since. I also put one over my hop strainer in the FV and never have a problem there either.