I mashed my second batch of beer on my new Blichmann Boilermaker with a false bottom this weekend and have some concerning results. Both batches have been 5 gallon batches with the first being a belgian blonde and the second being a wheat beer. Both have 8-9lb grain bills.
In both batches no matter how carefully, slowly, or the amount of wort I vorlaufed I could not get it to run clear. I ended up having to let the wort settle and then rack off of that to get a more clear (but not clear) wort.
I’ve read other posts and reviews that swear they get the cleariest wort without any issues…what am I missing?! Is it because my batches are too small and I’m not getting enough grain bed to filter everything out? Any help is appreciated!
Update: I followed the advise below and brewed 2 large 10 gallon batches. Turns out the issue was grain depth. I’ve had nothing but amazingly clear wort since upping my grain bed depth. Thanks!
Sorry I corrected the original post to state I mashed in my boilermaker with the false bottom. I use the same boilermaker as a kettle after transferring the wort from my collecting pot, but my issue is when I collect the wort from the mashtun.
Got ya. I got confused with the racking clear wort portion.
What does your crush look like? Also, a high amount of wheat will leave the wort cloudy. Could be the thickness of the grainbed, but 8 pounds should be thick enough unless you are using a 20 gallon pot.
what do you mean my not clear? my runoff is never or almost never crystal clear. It doesn’t seem to make a huge impact on final beer clarity if any at all. as long as no chunks are coming through I say no worries.
Could be grain bed depth I suppose. try brewing a bigger batch and that should be answered.
It’s a large 20 gallon pot. I’m thinking it may be that there wasn’t enough grain bed to create the filtration necessary…hopefully all I have to do is brew more beer ;D
