Possible No-Sparge - Advice Required!

[haZe]

Ok, this is probably a long story for what should possibly be a simple answer, but thought I'd give a few details to hopefully give you the full picture:

I'm getting some equipment together for my first attempt at AG. In fact, I'm more or less done

I have access to a system which is basically 2 large Stainless Steel pots, on the same level with the ability to pump water from the bottom of one into the open top of the other. The bottom taps can be turned on/off individually, as can the top tap which is on a swivel (as in a kitchen tap) meaning I can transfer liquid both ways.

Sort of like this: (!)

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|______|_______|

Each has a burner and the right-hand one has a temperature control.

My idea was to use the left-hand pot (no temperature control) as my HLT and then to pump into the right-hand pot with the temperature contol where I'd conduct my mash.

When done, I could then drain the mash tun and collect the runnings into a spare fermenting bin before using the remaining water in the HLT to batch sparge. Eventually I'd have a bin with my pre-boil volume which I could then transfer (pick it up and pour it) back into the HLT which would then double-up as my boiler.

I'd like to skip the step of having to collect into a spare bin if possible - so, would it be ok to leave the mash water in the tun, introduce my remaining water and circulate the whole lot from the bottom tap and back in through the top? Then pump it all back to the (now empty) HLT for boiling?

Would this be a no-sparge or half-arsed sparge?! Not conventional I know, just wondering if I'm missing a big reason for this not being a plausible idea.

Cheers for any thoughts...

[lancsSteve]

Sort of like this: (!)

'''''''''''''''''' |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
`````` | ``````
|
|______|_______|

Looks a lot more feasible in edit mode than display!

[lancsSteve]

When done, I could then drain the mash tun and collect the runnings into a spare fermenting bin before using the remaining water in the HLT to batch sparge.

Eventually I'd have a bin with my pre-boil volume which I could then transfer (pick it up and pour it) back into the HLT which would then double-up as my boiler.

Having done this and slipped I can attest to the horrible danger of picking up 25 litres of HOT wort... ANd it's still VERY hot pre-boil!

I'd like to skip the step of having to collect into a spare bin if possible - so, would it be ok to leave the mash water in the tun, introduce my remaining water and circulate the whole lot from the bottom tap and back in through the top? Then pump it all back to the (now empty) HLT for boiling?
Would this be a no-sparge or half-arsed sparge?! Not conventional I know, just wondering if I'm missing a big reason for this not being a plausible idea.

Cheers for any thoughts...

If the capacity is there this doesn't sound to me too bad - a single batch sparge essentially I think...

You could of course dobbel it - do this once then use the run off as the strike water for a second mash - a practice banned in Elizabethan times for wasting grain and producing loony juice

[haZe]

Bugger, hadn't noticed that...

Ignoring the (cough) well put together diagram then, hoping you get the idea!

[haZe]

If the capacity is there this doesn't sound to me too bad - a single batch sparge essentially I think...

No problems with capacity, could get 40l in each comfortably enough.

My only worry would be efficiency, although admittedly not a massive concern considering the quantities. I'm hoping that circulating the run-off round for a while might improve this a little.

You could of course dobbel it - do this once then use the run off as the strike water for a second mash - a practice banned in Elizabethan times for wasting grain and producing loony juice

Sounds interesting, might well be worth further investigation!