HERMS Sparge confusion

[brewtim]

Bare with newbie question - I've not brewed AG yet - but sparging methods are keeping me awake at night :?

I've acquired a used HERMS setup, it came with a spinning sparge arm and a sparge sprayer (inverted cone), so naturally I have researched how to use these devices. The HERMS system approach is to use fly sparging following recirculation, but I have read many different methods in use and concern over hot side aeration.

Watching the electric brewery methods they just have a silicon hose just resting on top of the mash, or just below it for both recirculation and sparging......so what gives?

http://youtu.be/OT6f3zP2IB0?t=41s

What sparging methods are people using in their HERMS systems?

 

[31bb3]

I have a piece of copper pipe with a 90 degree joint on each end for my herms which rests on the mash then use a sprayer cone to spray the hot water over the mash when sparging

 

[prolix]

you can ue either the spinny or the sprayer, I would use the spiny for liquor rather than recirc as no bits to block the holes and the cone for recirc and sparge if using HERMs. As for hot side aeration I wouldn't really bother just keep the cone close to the mash bed to avoid undue splashing.

as long as you have liquid ontop of the grain bed you should not get channelling so how you get it there is your choice that guy chose just a hose and a slow sparge

 

[pittsy]

just watched that vid , think i'll stick to batch sparging , after emptying first running i refill and walk away for 20 mins then drain .Seems much easier than all that .

 

[PD]

:thumb: :thumb: for Pittsy

It don't get much easier than batch sparging. and if you hit the targets your aiming for why make things complicated.

 

[TidalPete]

Long-time lurker & first-poster here.
I agree that batch sparging is the simplest way to go. Fly sparging gives you a slightly higher efficiency but is much more time consuming.
I'm happy with batch sparging & just run a bit of food-grade silicon hose from my MT return onto the (cut-off) bottom of an old ss saucepan that sits level or just under the mash. Can post pics if anyone's interested.
A mate of mine just keeps his MT return hose floating on top of the mash with a good-quality fishing float & that works just fine.

 

[Vossy1]

I've tried both methods over the years with my HERMS system. I went from fly sparging to batch sparging thinking it would be quicker, however that was not the case. By the time I'd recirced batch 1 top up and batch 2 to a point where I was happy with the clarity of the runnings it was no faster than fly sparging. I also tried full batch 1 mashing (mash and top up at the same time) and didn't notice any difference in the tasting or storage quality of quick drinking beers, though it may have implications for 'big beer' storage.
I then went back to fly sparging but using the HERMS speed sparging at around 2.75-3ltr/min. It's been well documented that sparging at higher speeds will usually lead to loss of efficiency and possible tannin extraction, I have found neither of these to be the case.

Also, you can use the same equipment for the recirc as for the sparge, providing the holes are big enough to deal with particulate, I only ever use the inverted stainless sprayer for both now a days.

Horses for courses in the end, there is no right or wrong, just the way YOU like to do it :thumb: