Stuck Sparge!!!

[RedClayBrewer]

Second all-grain brew today. Massively stuck sparge. I mashed 12.25 pounds of grain (11 lb pils, 1.25 lb 60L) in 4 gal; strike temp 165, 156 after dough-in. After an hour, I started to run off. I pulled off about 2 qts, recirculated it, got about another 2 qts and recirculated that as well.

At this point the sparge begins to slow down to a trickle. After another pint or so, it stopped completely. I did a quick google search and saw that I could add some additional sparge water to try to thin it out and raise the temp. No help. I was able to scrape the mash spoon along the hose braid and I got a little more out, but not much.

I ended up scooping out the mash tun and refilling it. This with some more sparge water bought me about 4.5 gal before it stuck again. I scooped it out again, but it did not run off anything when I put it back in with the last of the sparge water.

After 2 hours of failed sparge, I boiled the 4.5 gallons I had. Ended up with 1.068 SG. A lot more than the 1.051 I'd planned on, but I only put 3.5 gallons in the primary.

So, What do y'all do when you have a stuck sparge, and what do you do to avoid it? The pils and 60L were crushed at TC, so there were not particularly fine. I'm mashing in a 5 gal rubbermaid cooler with a hose braid. I mashed 10 lbs in it last time with no issues like this. Do I need rice hulls with this amount of grain?

Thanks!

-rcb
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[BigCMac]

12.25 lb grain isn't that much as long as the weight can be supported by your braided hose without collapsing. It sounds like your braid may be closing up on you. I Started with the gott cooler, false bottom with mash pad. I'm now using a ss false bottom and still a mash pad in an insulated 1/2 barrel sanke keg. Knock on wood, I've never had to empty my mash tun out to resolve any issues...

this is where it all started...

http://www.homebrew.com/shopping/index.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=homebrew&Product_Code=MFB-MP-13

they also had a cheaper plastic false bottom that came with their basic AG setup...

C
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[RedClayBrewer]

Yeah, I tried the "Phone a Friend" lifeline. This was after I didn't have success scraping the hose braid and before I scooped out the mash tun. I hope the "bowling ball" came out alright! As did the straw!!!

I did not consider that I might be collapsing the braid with the weight of the mash. It was *only* 2.25 pounds more. I suppose it could have been a case of the barley kernel that broke the camel's back.

Does anybody else mash with a hose braid in a 5-gallon cooler? What's your limit on grain?

-rcb
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[brandonlovesbeer]

So I'm confused, did your braided hose get smashed or is the sparge just stuck for some other reason.

When I got a stuck sparge, the easiest way I found to fix it was to pour all of the collected wort back into the mash. Stir it around so all was loose again, then begin to sparge again.

I've found that the only time I get a stuck sparge is when I try to run off to quickly. Your answer may be that you just need to slow down the collection.

This will add on some time, but you will have a smaller chance of sticking.

Good luck.
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