I was wondering how much time I should be taking to get the runnings from the mash. I batch sparge and make 5 gallon batches. I haven’t really timed it, but I guess it takes me 15 minutes apiece on the first and second runnings, maybe less. Is that too quick? Usually I’m itching to get on with boiling by the time I have my second runnings draining. I’ve only had one stuck mash in about 3 years of all-grain brewing. Does going slow provide any benefits other than reducing the chances of stuck mashes?
I agree with the above. I did notice that the manifold design matters for batch sparging. Simpler is actually better. A basic kettlescreen type drain cover is less prone to getting stuck than a full-blown manifold that covers the tun bottom (but which is more conducive to making fly sparging more efficient). That’s because you’re draining the tun, not “sparging” the grain. Denny’s simple water hose SS-braid deal is probably the lowest cost and easiest solution.
Fast as it will allow. Try to go too fast and it will compact the grain-bed resulting in a stuck sparge and more spent time. I have to throttle it about half-way. Fifteen minutes is pretty good.
