Double Batch Sparge

Brewing Processes
1

I recently got a 17.4 gallon Penrose Kettle, so now I have the capacity to easily boil 10 gallon batches. However, larger of my coolers is only 54 quarts, so I was a little concerned with mash tun capacity in it after I converted it into a mash tun. Well, while I can easily get even a fairly high-gravity batch worth of grain to fit in the tun with about 1.5 qt of strike water per pound of grain, sparging must be done in two batches.

This is my method:

Mash it at around 1.4-1.7 qt of water per lb of grain.
Runoff the first runnings.
Add half of my sparge water
Runoff the second runnings
Add remaining sparge water
Runoff the third runnings.
Boil as usual.

My findings:

The beer has tasted as good as any other I’ve made (I discern no negative side effect). And, my efficiency has bumped up to a consistent 83% (from 80%). This basically means that, by adding 15 minutes to my brew day, I do not need to use a larger mash tun, my beer has not suffered, and my efficiency has not suffered.

Does anyone else do a double batch sparge?

2

Only when the grist bill is so large I can’t fit in all the water at once, which isn’t often.  Personally, I’d just get a bigger cooler if it was a regular thing, but if you’re happy with you procedure, there’s nothing wrong with it.

3

I went with larger cooler and it works fine, but sometimes I think the double sparge method is better, especially from a heat loss standpoint.

4

I use a 13.3 gallon (50 liter) keggle as a rims mashtun and a double sparge is my SOP.