Homebrew Set Up Question

Hey guys -

I'm a BIAB'er who recently decided switched to traditional 3 vessel brewing. I built a mashtun about 2.5 months ago and have used it twice with little success (major stuck sparges). Last weekend I installed a weldless ball valve on my brew kettle. Things are moving (albeit, slowly, with regards to my mashtun) in the right direction! I also recently acquired a Shirron Plate Chiller and a March pump.

I have two questions for you guys:

Question 1
I'm using a 20" long 3/4" wide water heater supply braid in my mash tun (Coleman xtreme 52qt cooler). Looks like this and basically extends the whole length of the cooler:



With both of the beers I've done since 'switching' over, I've had no luck running off. The first was a pumpkin ale using 60 ounces of baked pumpkin puree, so I kind of expected some trouble. I used a 1/2 lb of rice hulls, but still could not run off 7 gallons of wort into the kettle (collected about 2g's before it stuck completely). The second beer was a simple pale ale wherein I used only 10 lbs of 2 row pale malt. No rice hulls. It stuck before I even had a good clear run-off.

I'm mixing the grist well and letting it set before I begin my run-off. I'm also opening the mashtun valve very slowly so I don't compact the grain. In both cases, I only opened the valve half-way because I was trying to limit the chances of a stuck sparge.

In both instances I had to line my kettle with the BIAB bag and strain the mash tun mixture through it. Major pain in the ass.

Am I using to few rice hulls (I didn't think hulls were always necessary, true)? Or is it possible the weave on my braid is too tight (and/or too long?)? The LHBS has a bazooka screen and I'm considering buying one of those to test out the mash tun again.

Question 2

Before I use my new pump and plate chiller, I want to make sure I'm putting things in the right order.

Order:
Kettle --> Plate Chiller --> Pump --> Carboy

I figure this is the right order based on the fact that I can elevate my kettle to gravity feed the plate chiller, but then I will probably be pumping up from the chiller/pump to the carboy. In order to prime the pump, I understand the chiller will have to be somewhat more elevated than the pump itself.

Admittedly, using the pump for 5 gallon batches may be more hassle than it's worth, but I'm also considering it use to whirlpool chill, in which case I would stop using the plate chiller.

Anyway - just some stuff that's been on the brain. Hoping you guys can help.

Thanks in advance!

 

Well, that's a good question. I ran it through the LHBS mill and it seemed like it was a good crush, not too fine. That said, I've always double milled my grain for BIAB, so what the hell do I know!

I've also bought my own mill, so I'll have more control over that for future brews, if that is the problem.

That was the issue on my mind. I don't want to ruin the pump and I know you aren't supposed to restrict the inflow, but you can restrict the outflow.

Sounds like I need to go: Kettle --> Pump --> Plate Chiller --> Carboy

Just wait until I want to add a hop rocket someday!

Water flows through fine. I do have the braid reinforced with a stainless steel spring (1/2" diameter).


Sounds like you guys are all pointing to the crush. I will see if using my own mill (properly set) makes the difference.

 

Just checked the specs for the Rebel Mill I have and it's set to .027". Not sure if the LHBS is set finer or not.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm hoping the next beer will runoff a lot easier. It was taking literally hours to get 2-3 gallons in the kettle. It's really demoralizing to pick up the BIAB bag and dump the mash through it.

 

I'll definitely consider this once I have a reasonably precise way to measure the gap. Might just try it with the factory setting first though.

I bought an 11" bazooka screen today to try out in place of the braid. I haven't tried fitting it in the mash tun, but will give that a whirl on the next brew day.

I was attempting to batch sparge. Never emptied out the tun enough to add the sparge water though.

 

Update:

I replaced the stainless steel braid with a 13" bazooka screen. Mash tun was working like a champ yesterday. Had it filled to the brim with 27 lbs of grain and 9 gallons of strike water. Ran off a little over 6 gallons without any trouble. Batch sparged with 2 gallons and that went smoothly as well. Finally!

I successfully used the march pump to move 9 gallons of strike water to the mash tun. Nice and easy! I knew that hop pellets and bazooka screens don't really cooperate, but I tried whirlpool chilling with the pump and the pellets clogged up the screen and made the pump useless. I'll use hop sacks/bags next time. Didn't think a measly 2oz's of hops would kill my screen.

Thanks for everyone's replies. What a relief.

 

Some pics, for the helluvit: