[redzim]

Can't seem to find a quick answer to this: what percentage of the grain bill (by weight) are you guys using to add rice hulls? I batch sparge, and a couple recent batches with slow/stuck sparges (esp. one that was 25% wheat and 25% rye that was my Worst. Sparge. Ever. ) have got me thinking that rice hulls could help out.

thanks
red

[Mikey]

0% here.

[mrcceo]

Increase your water to grain ratio in your mash. You can go up to 2:1.
I usually keep mine between 1.5 to 1.75 to 1.

[ryang]

I had a 5gal batch of wit with 3lbs barley 4lbs wheat along with 3lbs of flaked wheat and oats.  I used a one pound bag of rice hulls.  I think I'd add more next time.  It didn't get stuck, but it was very slow.

[theDarkSide]

I just did an oatmeal stout this past weekend and use 1/2 lb of rice hulls.  The wort was pouring like oil and never stuck once.  Would it have stuck with the rice hulls?  I don't know but didn't want to take the chance with the flaked oats.

[redzim]

Increase your water to grain ratio in your mash. You can go up to 2:1.
I usually keep mine between 1.5 to 1.75 to 1.

I already run between 1.75 to 1 and 2.0 to 1.

[denny]

The generally recommended amount is "a handful".

[mrcceo]

Increase your water to grain ratio in your mash. You can go up to 2:1.
I usually keep mine between 1.5 to 1.75 to 1.

I already run between 1.75 to 1 and 2.0 to 1.

How is your crush? Do you have a lot of intact husks?

Second, and I'll probably catch some heat for this from Denny but if your using a braid in he bottom of your mash tun you may want to consider increasing the length and at the same time stretch it out a little to open the weave a bit.  I got 2 stuck sparges back to back and this solved the problem. Even with 50% wheat it flows like a champ.

[denny]

Well, pragmatically speaking, if that solved your problems, that's the right thing to do.  But I have to admit that I've never had a problem with a stuck runoff, and most of the time a shorter braid works better.

[mrcceo]

Well, pragmatically speaking, if that solved your problems, that's the right thing to do.  But I have to admit that I've never had a problem with a stuck runoff, and most of the time a shorter braid works better.

Maybe the weave is closed to much and he needs to open it up a little more.

[majorvices]

0% here.

+1 - even on 60% wheat.

[tschmidlin]

I'll throw in a pound when doing a batch with a lot of wheat.  I don't really know how much it helps, I've never tried the same recipe without the rice hulls.

[redzim]

Well, pragmatically speaking, if that solved your problems, that's the right thing to do.  But I have to admit that I've never had a problem with a stuck runoff, and most of the time a shorter braid works better.

Maybe the weave is closed to much and he needs to open it up a little more.

I have the 12" Bazooka screen, got it from NB about 2 years ago... it certainly looks like a tighter weave/mesh than the pix on Denny's site.  I might try to stretch it....   I've ordered a bit of rice hull and since I have a good feel for how my system drains on a 100% barley grain bill, I'll add half a pound or so to my next batch and see if it speeds it up at all, if that helps I'll use it on my next wheat beer.

[tschmidlin]

most of the time a shorter braid works better.

Can you explain this too* Denny?  How short are we talking about?  How long should the braid be for that 70 qt cooler we were talking about in the other thread?  I know I said I got it to use as a cooler and not a mash tun, but as long as I have it I might as well try it out, right?

*And go and answer the other thing I asked you about.

[majorvices]

FTR I have the SS mesh braid from Lowe's in my small MT and a Bazooka screen in my big MT and don't have a problem with either. The run off is a little slower, but not so much that it causes a problem.