preventing stuck sparge in wheat beer

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by highvoltage415, Sep 15, 2019.

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  1. highvoltage415

    highvoltage415 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2018 Maryland

    I recently switched to brewing 5 gallon all grain batches. before that i was doing 5 gallon extract batches and a few 1 gallon all grain batches on my stove. When I did a 1 gallon batch i didn't do a sparge. My next 5 gallon brew is going to be a wheat beer, with a grain bill of 5 lbs 2 row and 5lbs wheat. How much rice hulls should i add to prevent a stuck sparge?
     
    #1 highvoltage415, Sep 15, 2019
  2. Brewday

    Brewday Zealot (721) Dec 25, 2015 New York

    We have different systems but i usually just coat the top of the false bottom with about a handful.
     
    #2 Brewday, Sep 16, 2019
  3. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    I'd use half to three-quarter pound rice hulls
     
    #3 HerbMeowing, Sep 16, 2019
    billandsuz likes this.
  4. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    No rule per se.
    Rice hulls are pretty cheap and also really light. About half the weight of the wheat is usually enough. So for 5 pounds wheat add around 2.5 pounds, give or take. Don't b cheap.

    Cheers
     
    #4 billandsuz, Sep 16, 2019
  5. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    Yes, rice hulls are good insurance, but in my experience wheat is usually not all that problematic. Rye, on the other hand, ...
     
    #5 utahbeerdude, Sep 16, 2019
    GormBrewhouse likes this.
  6. Supergenious

    Supergenious Maven (1,273) May 9, 2011 Michigan

    It depends on your setup. I’ve never used more than a half pound for 5 gallons and never had an issue.
     
    #6 Supergenious, Sep 16, 2019
  7. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    I’d say a 0.5-1 lb should be good.

    Other tips:

    Mashout (to 160s F)
    Runoff mash slowly (valve ~20% open only)
    Runoff to gravity/grant
    More coarse of a grist crush if stuck sparge is recurring issue
    Don’t overmix
    Don’t add too much sparge volume on top of mash (keep about 0.5-1” water on top of grain during sparge)
     
    #7 hoptualBrew, Sep 19, 2019
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