Robobrew/Grainfather type systems and sparging

[DiBosco]

Folks,

Am toying with the idea of a Robobrew type system, but all the videos of how they work seem to gloss over or saying nothing about the sparge process.

When I sparge in my coolbox I use a system I knocked up that puts the hot water through s system of pipes and evenly distributes the water over the grain. I've seen a nice looking system in bigger coolboxes that automatically rotates and arm as water goes through the arm and sprinkles all over the grain.

I can't see what happens with Robobrew on any videos. The closest I found was some
Aussie just pouring bucketfulls of cold water over the grain when he lifted the inner bucket out.

I'd've thought that as it can circulate water around for the mash it should be most than possible to heat water and have it sprinkle over the grain in the lifted out bucket, but I'm starting to think you need a separate heater for the sparge water which seems like a proper ball ache and gives little advantage over the current kettle/coolbox setup.

Am I just expecting too much from n all-in-one system? Or am I missing something?! Thanks!

 

[Deathstar]

I found this to be a good vid to watch.
Have a look at 18.45

Yes you need a separate sparge heater, or heat the water beforehand and store it ready.

 

[HarryFlatters]

bucketfulls of cold water over the grain when he lifted the inner bucket out.

When I can be bothered to sparge, that's exactly what I do. Just whack half a Campden tab in the water and pour it in and let it trickle through while I tidy up.

 

[Jakeyboi]

So they aren’t quite all in one systems, you have to have a separate water heater, and then pour it over the grain with a jug or something. It must work ok as I seem to get 80% BHE with the GF.

 

[aamcle]

I have my treated sparge water in the fermenter (my water has high alkalinity) and ladle in onto to the top disk at sparge time.

Aamcle

Ps I sanitize the FV before I fill it.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

So they aren’t quite all in one systems, you have to have a separate water heater, and then pour it over the grain with a jug or something. It must work ok as I seem to get 80% BHE with the GF.

The guy in the video says you don't need a separate water heater you can use the GF to heat it but you'll need something to put the hot water into to keep it hot until you use it later.

 

[DiBosco]

Thanks, folks I'd naively assumed the unit would heat uo the sparge water, pump it up through the arm and sprinkle it evenly over the grain. If it did that, I'd be ordering one. As it is, I say, essentially, no advantage over my peco/coolbox, boiler methid, which I bought for a lot less. I suppose the mash might be slightly better to be fair.

 

[Peter Scandlyn]

This is another of those puzzles - to me anyway - in brewing with the 'sprinkling of water to sparge'. What?

Pouring sparge water over the top plate seems to distribute evenly? Yes/no?
Slight bodily effort needed to achieve is all.....