Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

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SteveThomps
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Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:01 pm

Hi,

I'm planning a 1 gallon SMaSH BIAB brew this weekend and not sure on how much water to plan for the sparge. I've been following some YouTube recipes up to now but I've bought my own grain this time.

I've seen some recipes that don't require a sparge and some that do.

My urrent plan is to just run a similar plan as previous brews, maybe 4ltr mash and 3/3.5 Litre sparge, 60 min mash, 60 min boil, but not sure how this will affect things.

Any help welcome.

Grain bill is 1.25kg pale malt.

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MashBag
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by MashBag » Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:47 pm

Others will be along soon, but I would not sparge.

Don't worry about evaporation rates... You can top up the fermenter.

SteveThomps
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:46 pm

MashBag wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:47 pm
You can top up the fermenter.
Can you?? Does this not mess with the OG? I've been quite a bit under with my volumes, tbh.

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Eric
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by Eric » Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:30 pm

By sparging against full volume you can produce clearer wort at higher gravity for a given weight of grain to produce a basic beer.
1.25 kg of pale malt has the potential of producing a gallon of wort at 1083 at 100% efficiency, but if you're making a 1040 beer, you would likely your target mashing at full volume.
It takes a while to get to grips with volumes. In much of Sunderland the water is very alkaline and while topping up is fine, heavily alkaline water should be first treated if used for that purpose. If you need to top up and your water isn't soft, you would be safer to buy some softer bottled water.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.

SteveThomps
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:27 pm

Great, thanks Eric. I'm Penshaw and have been using bottled water so far, yeah.

I'm planning a mead on tap water just to see what it's like, although plan to get a water test done sometime, though.

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MashBag
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by MashBag » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:34 pm

SteveThomps wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:27 pm
Great, thanks Eric. I'm Penshaw and have been using bottled water so far, yeah.

I'm planning a mead on tap water just to see what it's like, although plan to get a water test done sometime, though.
Do you have a furry kettle?

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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:40 pm

[/quote]

Do you have a furry kettle?
[/quote]

That's a bit personal, innit??

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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:42 pm

MashBag wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:34 pm
SteveThomps wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:27 pm
Great, thanks Eric. I'm Penshaw and have been using bottled water so far, yeah.

I'm planning a mead on tap water just to see what it's like, although plan to get a water test done sometime, though.
Do you have a furry kettle?
There is a bit of lime scale in there, yeah.

SteveThomps
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:42 pm

Haven't got the hang of this quoting carry on. . .

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Eric
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by Eric » Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:10 pm

Your water will be slightly hard, with about a third of the alkalinity my supply has. If you go to the Northumbrian Water website and enter your postcode into the section "What's going on in my area", you will find they provide a water analysis at the bottom of the page, giving the mineral levels a brewer needs. It's a while since visiting the site and that's new to me. More than that the mean values given are very close to the analysis I use.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.

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MashBag
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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by MashBag » Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:17 am

SteveThomps wrote:
Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:40 pm

Do you have a furry kettle?
That's a bit personal, innit??
Lol 😂.

There seems to be some hardness (calcium) if you get limescale in your tea kettle. That's a good thing.

If you are just starting out, I would make yourself some beer and get a big grin started.

Don't worry too much about final volumes and water treatment for now. A small batch and thorough tasting (I know someone has to do it) will tell you more about your beer than the internet.

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Re: Sparge volumes for 1 Gallon batch.

Post by SteveThomps » Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:34 am

Sounds like a plan. Thanks all 🍻

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