Mashtun question

[john_unofficial]

I'm trying my first AG today using an AG kit. I've made all the gear myself to a strict budget. For example my mashtun is two 50L buckets one inside the other, a lever valve fitted to the outer one and about 200 small holes drilled in the base of the inner one, and insulated of course. Does the 5L of water in the sump count towards the strike water volume? Any advice much appreciated, thank guys

 

[ManseMasher]

If the 5 litres in the sump is dead space, then yes. If you look at the calculator link at the top of the page, you'll see there is one for batch sparging. Very useful.

 

[john_unofficial]

If the 5 litres in the sump is dead space, then yes. If you look at the calculator link at the top of the page, you'll see there is one for batch sparging. Very useful.

Cheers Manse, that's just it! This water does come out the spout at the end of the mash but it don't touch the grain during, that's why I have doubt. I'll start using the calculator further down the line at the moment I'm just following the instructions that come with the kit

 

[mirsultankhan]

I'm trying my first AG today using an AG kit. I've made all the gear myself to a strict budget. For example my mashtun is two 50L buckets one inside the other, a lever valve fitted to the outer one and about 200 small holes drilled in the base of the inner one, and insulated of course. Does the 5L of water in the sump count towards the strike water volume? Any advice much appreciated, thank guys

I'd like to see a picture of that set up, just out of interest. I would never have thought of trying to make a mash tun from two buckets. Amazing!

I found this, its probably similar.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bui...TEP-1-/step2/Tools-Materials-and-Disclaimers/

 

[john_unofficial]

I can't claim the idea is my own, I've seen it done a couple of times on the net including this link. My bins are larger and square shaped, I put the drain in the base to help with the syphon effect. Used it for the first time today, I reached an OG 6 points above the kits perdition so I guess it's working. Rightly or wrongly I did count the 5L water within bilge as strike water volume. Anybody have other ideasm

 

[eezybrewer]

I have made a similar one after watching this video [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3vJXUvNTFI"]CLICK HERE[/ame] I insulated it like the one from Instructables using a camping mat from eBay CLICK HERE. I did not use the metal fittings shown in the video, just a normal plastic tap. It will be used for the first time when I do my first AG brew very soon.

 

[john_unofficial]

Thanks for your help chaps My first go at AG produced 40 pints of a lovely IPA at 5.7% ABV, So pleased. Today I'm brewing a Guinness Extra Stout From Dave Line's Brewing Beers Like Those you Buy. I'm trying to get my head around the batch sparge calculator on this site. I'm not sure witch water goes in when, i.e. How much strike water do I use. If anybody can run though the values in green in simple terms for dummies I would be so greatful