Comments on: Batch or Fly? http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/ Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:44:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ted Danyluk http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-444 Ted Danyluk Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:31:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-444 Travis, <br/><br/>Once the fly apparatus is set up and flowing, then it just flows. With batch, you'll have to pour the second batch water in and vorlauf a second time. But overall, I think it is easier, and rinses the grains more thoroughly. Plus, if the mash out wasn't quite hot enough, or was too hot, it can be adjusted with the second batch. I also prefer to do a mash-out, and with batch it is required, and instantaneous. Where-as with fly I usually let that step go most of the time...then I always questioned the temp of the mash during that long phase.<br/><br/>Some folks take a long time to get into all-grain. Then there are those who take quite a while to get into batch sparging. I find that its taking me a long time to get into open fermenting. But each of these changes in the process does take planning, equipment and a willingness to try. Catch ya later. Travis,

Once the fly apparatus is set up and flowing, then it just flows. With batch, you’ll have to pour the second batch water in and vorlauf a second time. But overall, I think it is easier, and rinses the grains more thoroughly. Plus, if the mash out wasn’t quite hot enough, or was too hot, it can be adjusted with the second batch. I also prefer to do a mash-out, and with batch it is required, and instantaneous. Where-as with fly I usually let that step go most of the time…then I always questioned the temp of the mash during that long phase.

Some folks take a long time to get into all-grain. Then there are those who take quite a while to get into batch sparging. I find that its taking me a long time to get into open fermenting. But each of these changes in the process does take planning, equipment and a willingness to try. Catch ya later.

]]> By: Travis http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-443 Travis Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:23:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-443 Keith - <br/><br/>Funny you mentioned that method. I was catching up on some of my old Basic Brewing Radio podcasts and James was interviewing Chris Colby who wrote that article and they were talking about that. Oddly, Nick and I have talked about doing that and never really thought of it as a method. Maybe we'll have to revisit that one again!<br/><br/>http://media.libsyn.com/media/basicbrewing/bbr02-28-08hybrid.mp3<br/><br/>Cheers Keith –

Funny you mentioned that method. I was catching up on some of my old Basic Brewing Radio podcasts and James was interviewing Chris Colby who wrote that article and they were talking about that. Oddly, Nick and I have talked about doing that and never really thought of it as a method. Maybe we’ll have to revisit that one again!

http://media.libsyn.com/media/basicbrewing/bbr02-28-08hybrid.mp3

Cheers

]]> By: Keith Brainard http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-442 Keith Brainard Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:36:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-442 I thought you have to recirc again after you add the second sparge water because you've disturbed the grain bed... but I've never tried it, so I could be wrong. But I can fill my kettle on a five gallon batch in about 45 minutes with nearly 90% extract efficiency with my method. I thought you have to recirc again after you add the second sparge water because you’ve disturbed the grain bed… but I’ve never tried it, so I could be wrong. But I can fill my kettle on a five gallon batch in about 45 minutes with nearly 90% extract efficiency with my method.

]]> By: marcus http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-441 marcus Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:55:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-441 I started with batch, then went to fly, maybe I will alternate both. You have a great point. I think its because I like watching the fly sparger go round and round and round... I started with batch, then went to fly, maybe I will alternate both. You have a great point. I think its because I like watching the fly sparger go round and round and round…

]]> By: Travis http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-440 Travis Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:51:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-440 Keith,<br/><br/>When you say "extra recirculation" what do you mean? When I fly sparged I recirculated as well and with the batch I pretty much recirculate like normal. Do people normally do more or add an extra step in their batch sparging compared to fly?<br/><br/>We've done what you're talking about as "a little of both" before, it worked out pretty well. Keith,

When you say “extra recirculation” what do you mean? When I fly sparged I recirculated as well and with the batch I pretty much recirculate like normal. Do people normally do more or add an extra step in their batch sparging compared to fly?

We’ve done what you’re talking about as “a little of both” before, it worked out pretty well.

]]> By: Andy http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-439 Andy Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:32:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-439 i've only done batch sparging so far. i've only been brewing fro a year, though and i'll try fly sparging at some point, just for the learning experience. but i must say, being able to do the run off, sparge and run off again in about 1/2 an hour total time is a benefit to me on a long brew day. i don't think either way is "right" or "wrong", though. i’ve only done batch sparging so far. i’ve only been brewing fro a year, though and i’ll try fly sparging at some point, just for the learning experience. but i must say, being able to do the run off, sparge and run off again in about 1/2 an hour total time is a benefit to me on a long brew day. i don’t think either way is “right” or “wrong”, though.

]]> By: Ted Danyluk http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Ted Danyluk Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:31:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-438 I prefer "batch" for most beers. It does become more challenging as the gravity goes really low or really high, and obviously as the batch size goes up (beyond 8-10 gallons). But usually the mash-out and 2nd-sparge water volumes can be increased/altered. Overall, it is simple and very effective. <br/><br/>I've noticed better efficiency, because the grains are more thoroughly rinsed, and there's almost no chance of channeling. It has been a long time since I've fly sparged, but I recall the finished beer was not as clean tasting and clear. Or perhaps my overall skills have gotten for fine tuned.<br/><br/>For the size and long shape of that massive mashtun, it would definitely require a large sparge arm. It would also require a very large volume of 2nd sparge water (probably too difficult to handle). In this case, fly sparging with a closed and vented lid would be best. I prefer “batch” for most beers. It does become more challenging as the gravity goes really low or really high, and obviously as the batch size goes up (beyond 8-10 gallons). But usually the mash-out and 2nd-sparge water volumes can be increased/altered. Overall, it is simple and very effective.

I’ve noticed better efficiency, because the grains are more thoroughly rinsed, and there’s almost no chance of channeling. It has been a long time since I’ve fly sparged, but I recall the finished beer was not as clean tasting and clear. Or perhaps my overall skills have gotten for fine tuned.

For the size and long shape of that massive mashtun, it would definitely require a large sparge arm. It would also require a very large volume of 2nd sparge water (probably too difficult to handle). In this case, fly sparging with a closed and vented lid would be best.

]]> By: Keith Brainard http://cnybrew.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Keith Brainard Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:06:00 +0000 http://cnybrew.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/batch-or-fly/#comment-437 I chose "A Little of Both" because I have an unusual combination technique. I basically fly sparge. But rather than exactly match the flow rate of incoming sparge water with that of the runoff wort, I just add a bunch of sparge water to the top of the mash tun, then when the water level drops to a little above the grain bed, I add a bunch more water.<br/><br/>This is what the BYO article came up with at the end for a compromise between batch and fly sparging . I never tried batch sparging, but I don't really see a problem with the way I do it. It seems to me like the extra recirculation step in batch sparging would be a pain, and it's not that hard to go add a bunch of sparge water to the mash tun every few minutes. I chose “A Little of Both” because I have an unusual combination technique. I basically fly sparge. But rather than exactly match the flow rate of incoming sparge water with that of the runoff wort, I just add a bunch of sparge water to the top of the mash tun, then when the water level drops to a little above the grain bed, I add a bunch more water.

This is what the BYO article came up with at the end for a compromise between batch and fly sparging . I never tried batch sparging, but I don’t really see a problem with the way I do it. It seems to me like the extra recirculation step in batch sparging would be a pain, and it’s not that hard to go add a bunch of sparge water to the mash tun every few minutes.

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