Sparge Arm

[grainbrew]

Greetings,

I have so far been fly sparging, and will try batch sparging this weekend.

I do however want to keep fly sparging an option and was hoping to build a sparge arm or drip system. I purchased Phil's Sparge Arm and I'm not having much luck with it.

What do you fly spargers use? Any pictures of fly sparging systems?

I will be using gravity to feed it.

J

[Payson]

I used Phils quite successfully then switched to batch sparging. As far as Phils goes, make sure your sparge water tank is high enough above it for gravity to do its work. I would bet you'll batch sparge and won't look back though.

[grainbrew]

How could I automate the batch sparge? I don't want to have to dump the water in myself, it's quite high. Would a spigot at the bottom of my HLT do the trick?

J

[ray m]

Still do what Payson suggested and make sure your HLT is high enough above the Lauter/Mash tun. Then just use the tubing that you would normally use for your fly sparge, except it's not connected to anything. When you're ready to add the sparge water for your batch sparge, just unclamp the hose and let the sparge water drain in.:)

[danno]

remember the purpose of a sparge arm. it's so that you don't channel your sparge liquid through your grain and leave sugars behind. you can just as easily use most anything to diffuse your water, a couple of people I know just set a plate on the top of their grain bed, then set their hose to run on top of the plate...

[grainbrew]

Thanks guys.

I think for time purposes, I'm going to batch sparge. I'm trying it tomorrow for the first time with my Irish Ale "Piss on the Blarney Stone".

Anyways, I guess I can just open the valve on the HLT and let it all pour in the MT, then stir it and drain it.

J

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by grainbrew
Thanks guys.

I think for time purposes, I'm going to batch sparge. I'm trying it tomorrow for the first time with my Irish Ale "Piss on the Blarney Stone". Whoa - you can do that from Canada??!!!?!??!? Impressive! ;)

[grainbrew]

If you drink enough in a short amount of time, yes, you can.

I'm also well equiped for the job...

J

[fretlessman71]

I guess so - your bladder must be huge! ;)