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oxidation risk with batch sparging

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boapiu:
I have done a little of both batch and continuous sparging and am wondering about the increased risk of oxidation when the grain bed is uncovered with batch sparging. I was reading some of the threads concerning fly vs batch sparging and noticed simplicity and wort clarity mentioned but not oxidation. Is oxidation such a small problem that it doesn't out weigh the other benefits? In the March-April 2008 BYO there is an article comparing the two methods and it mentioned a sort of hybrid technique where the wort is drained but not completely, so that the grain bed remains covered and then additional water added prior to draining again. This process is repeated as often as needed until the correct boil volume is obtained. I may give this a try as I no longer have a set up that allows me to both add water and drain simultaneously.

I am curious if folks more experienced with batch sparging have any issues with oxidation.

theDarkSide:
I've never had problem with oxidation or hot side aeration when batch sparging since I started all grain brewing 5 years ago.  It possible that it's there but I can't pick it up.  And I've been know to stir the heck out of the mash and sparge too.

greatplainsbrewer:
Never had an issue with HSA or oxidation in over 5years of batch sparging.

MDixon:
I believe pre-boil HSA is a myth, a fallacy, something invented by somone with too much time on their hands...etc.

Once my tun (I fly sparge), was sucking in air at the valve and before I noticed it I had a kettle full of foam while sparging. I started to fix it and figured why not have a nice experiment so I let it roll. Boiled, cooled, fermented, etc. Beer turned out fine and was fine over 6 months later. So what that tells me is it is nearly impossible to oxidize a beer pre-boil. Now if just anyone provided me with that info I might be skeptical, but I've been a BJCP judge a long time and while I am not hypersensitive to oxidation, I do know how to detect it.

So spash away pre-boil...

nateo:
HSA is about as big of a risk as getting hit by a meteor. It's a "real" risk, in that it exists, but the odds of it happening are so fantastically small you really shouldn't let it affect how you live your life.

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