Anyone have input with the smallest amount of grain that would be workable for a 15 gal MT? Currently I have a RIMS and for a few months no direct fire. Temperature loss is my main concern. Any others? TIA
Ok let me ask this question another way. For those who recirculate and sparge, what is the smallest fill that you look for - percentage wise? I've really only found one suggestion, it was 66-75%. I can accept the upper limit, but I've done what beersmith calculated to be a "4 gal mash tun needed" and it worked well in a 10 gal round cooler with no issues. If going too big (small gain bed depth) just means that my efficiency drops a few points I can work around that. It could be that 65-75% has merit, but based on something that most HB'ers would laugh at. 40%, even 50 - 75% full I can live with.
Thanks, but that's not what I'm asking. I have many ways to figure the size. I'm asking how shallow can a grain bed be without having issues. But I went ahead and bought the MT.
Wrap in towels or blankets, and place some foil on the top of the mash to hold some heat in. I can't give specifics on the minimum amount of grain, but assume your temp comntrol should be pretty good with this method and any heat loss should start to happen after the initial conversion is done.
I would probably be batch sparging for now if you're doing small grain amounts in a large tun. I use an old sleeping bag over my uninsulated tun. Where did you get that, stout tanks?
What? No hackers looking at the URL? Yes Stout Tanks. They have a new false bottom and the draw is on the bottom under the false bottom. I really like their stuff, but in fairness they aren't the only alternative to Blichmann. Darrin at BrewersHardware has some kettles/tuns now too. There's also Polarware. I don't think Polarware is in the same class, but it's a nice entry level pot/MT that of course will make the small quality beer. And you if upgrade it can be used as a HLT.
Polarware makes the kettles for MoreBeer, and I've been really, really happy with mine (Although I did set mine up after market for reirculation with some extras). That being said, I've been eyeing that Stout mash tun you just purchased, as well as the boil kettle with conical bottom for improved whirlpooling... Makes me wish I had money and wasn't a poor graduate student
I'd say 1/2 of the 15 gal mash tun or 7.5 #s of grain if you are batch sparging currently. Really, any amount is possible on the lower end if you can tolerate temp swings and thermometers that don't cover.
