newbe and a question

[ronytrombon]

Hi
Just bumped into this site and found it interesting and entertaining.
Just making the move from kits to all grain and I have a question
I need to decide on a grainfather/ACE/Klarstein type machine - or -
separate boiler/mashtun.
So - here's my question - if I go with a machine don't I also need a separate (20l or so) boiler to sparge the mash - or at least to top up once the grains have been removed ?
With the boiler/mashtun option I can batch sparge into my fermenter then return the lot into the boiler for the boil.


Apologies if this is a dumb question but would appreciate any responses
Thanks Rony

 

[Fil]

HI AND WELCOME ..

Not a dumb Q at all, for one i brew with a grainfather and i do heat up my sparge liquor in a 2nd kettle, However the g/f folk suggest you can preheat the liquor in the grainfather and pump out into a FV for use later before mashing in the grains.

Some folk report they sparge effectivly with water direct from a combi boilers hot tap, and some even report good efficiency when sparging with COLD WATER? If you treat your brewing liquor the combi boiler option may not be suitable and hot water tank systems are not suitable.

As your talking 12-15l of sparge liquor fitting a waterbut tap and kettle element to an old retiered possibly scratched FV is a budget option for a sparge heater..

Thing to remember is due to the recirculation of the mash liquor most if not all the sugars are already in solution, so unlike a sparge of a static mash all the sparge in a g/f type system is doing is rinsing out the remaining mash liquor in the contained in the grain.
However a warmer sparge will contribute to a faster boil..

And Yes a 2 vessel system re-purposing the hlt as a boil kettle using a FV or 2 as intermediate vessels is a highly viable option, a dedicated HLT is a luxury that space can let you afford but isnt necessary to brewing great beers. you can also fly sparge into a FV with only 2 vessels too.

 

[JapanBrew]

I don't have a GF , wanted one from the start, but built my system piece by piece over time. If I look back, I've spent at least the same, maybe more for my system. The GF is nice because it's one unit, take it out, brew, then put it away. My take, if you've got the cash go with the GF. You still need technique to brew. It isn't a system that does it for you. So if someone tells you to stay clear because you won't learn with one of those is full of ****.

 

[Pawlo7671]

I have a GF and it is hands down the best bit of brew kit i'v ever bought. I'm drinking an all grain pale ale now and the difference between this and a can kit is night and day. Geterbrewed do the GF with a free sparge heater, you also get 5% off using the forum discount code.

 

[dps51]

hi I have the Klarstein system which is the same as the ace
I wished I have got this in the first place
started of making kits then biab with a 50ltr pot on the stove
now got the Klarstein and I sparge using water direct from my combi boilers
and it works grate for me

 

[ronytrombon]

Many thanks for all your helpful replies I'm going to go with the Klarstein machine - just checked their website and they removed the reference to a cooler so looks like new customers will have to buy their own now rather than requesting a partial refund:-(

 

[grmski]

Many thanks for all your helpful replies I'm going to go with the Klarstein machine - just checked their website and they removed the reference to a cooler so looks like new customers will have to buy their own now rather than requesting a partial refund:-(

Good move, I've got the same and it's great, it's been the best investment I've made in the years I've been brewing. As was said I wished I'd bought one of these years ago before doing kits and then biab in a 50 litre open top drum with an immersion heater element fitted to it.

I sparge by heating the water in a big stock pot during the mash and then it's at the correct temp to sparge when I need it.