Sparging...

[Cononthebarber]

Ok I am well confused! What IS sparging? Ive read many posts and think my brain has reached saturation point as I am no closer to an answer.

Now please correct me if i am wrong but I think that from all the info I've read sparging is taking the liquid from your mash tun and running it back through the grain to collect more fermentables? Yes or no?

Ive seen people using a method of what looks like tin foil with loads of holes in it? Whats that all about and why?

I would really appreciate a simple (no jargon) answer so that my brain doesn't explode. Many thanks in advance!

 

[dennisking]

If you look in the FAQ section there is a piece what's the difference between batch and fly sparging that might help.

 

[abeyptfc]

yeah conan your pretty much spot on, after mashing ( soaking grains in mash tun) you open the tap and pour out the liquid, at first the liquid may be cloudy as bits of grains are in it, you then pour that over the top of the mash, some folk put perforated tin foil on top to stop the liquid unsettling the grain bed, then you let all the liqour out, you then add heated water about 80 degrees to the mash and repeat the process, its basically to extract all the sugars out of the grain. go on youtube and search for jimmy the brewers page, and theres videos online of him brewing in 3 parts, he explains everything pretty well

 

[Cononthebarber]

Thanks for those replies it has cleared things up a lot for me! You have saved my poor little brain from reaching overload :thumb: