[denny]

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?

I've heard from a lot of people who had problems with the braid floating (I don't consider that a problem, but some do), or getting tangled if it's too long.  One person even told me that shortening the braid increased his efficiency, although I have trouble understanding why that would be.  In my experiments, I've used braids from 3" to the length of my cooler with equal results from all of them.  The only reason my current braid is the length of my cooler is that it's the last length I tried and I was too lazy to change it.  Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

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

done!

[majorvices]

My braid is probably about 8-9 inches long. I tied it in a knot and this keeps it from floating and I have no issues with run off.

[Mikey]

I have 2, 12" pieces of 1/2" braid. Short didn't work for me, but this setup never sticks.

[mrcceo]

Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

But a longer braid does provide more surface area to gather and channel the wort to the outlet which could make a difference with compressed grain beds and gummy grains like wheat and rye.

Just a thought

[tschmidlin]

Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

But a longer braid does provide more surface area to gather and channel the wort to the outlet which could make a difference with compressed grain beds and gummy grains like wheat and rye.

Just a thought

That's what I was thinking too, but it sounds like it's not a problem for these guys.

Do you tilt the mash tun a little bit to aid in the wort flowing to the channel?

[mrcceo]

Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

But a longer braid does provide more surface area to gather and channel the wort to the outlet which could make a difference with compressed grain beds and gummy grains like wheat and rye.

Just a thought

That's what I was thinking too, but it sounds like it's not a problem for these guys.

Do you tilt the mash tun a little bit to aid in the wort flowing to the channel?

I will tilt it after the final sparge.  Since the outlet is just above the bottom of the tun it helps to get out the last bit of wort.

[denny]

Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

But a longer braid does provide more surface area to gather and channel the wort to the outlet which could make a difference with compressed grain beds and gummy grains like wheat and rye.

Just a thought

But it really doesn't channel it to the output since the braid is open.  The wort merely runs through it.

[Mikey]

Keep in mind that all of the draining happens at the cooler outlet, so a longer braid doesn't really provide more "space" for the wort to run through.

But a longer braid does provide more surface area to gather and channel the wort to the outlet which could make a difference with compressed grain beds and gummy grains like wheat and rye.

Just a thought

But it really doesn't channel it to the output since the braid is open.  The wort merely runs through it.

If a longer perforated tube isn't an advantage, then a sewer system wouldn't need but a couple of feet of lateral line. Same thing only backwards..

[tubercle]

 I have a ~4" braid connected to the outlet with a ~4" piece of 1/2" copper pipe w/ hacksaw slots on the tail end. Stops the floating issue and if the wort wants to go through the pipe slots or braid or a combination of the two, then help yourself. Never had a problem of any kind with this setup. My cooler is red w/blue stripes too. I like the best of both worlds.

[denny]

If a longer perforated tube isn't an advantage, then a sewer system wouldn't need but a couple of feet of lateral line. Same thing only backwards..

Based on my experience, I don't know if that's a valid comparison.

[redbeerman]

The generally recommended amount is "a handful".

Or about 4 oz.   depending on the size of your hand.

[mrcceo]

If a longer perforated tube isn't an advantage, then a sewer system wouldn't need but a couple of feet of lateral line. Same thing only backwards..

Based on my experience, I don't know if that's a valid comparison.

The grain bed compresses around the braid forming what amounts to a pipe with perforations. The more perforations which are provided by the longer braid /pipe the more wort that can be filtered as the grain bed compresses or as the filtering slows due to clogging of the braid by fines or sticky material.  If all goes right you wouldn't need a long braid but when adding wheat or rye the additional length gives you an added safety factor.

[bluesman]

I've also heard (I believe it was Gordon Strong) of cutting channels in a grid pattern in the grain bed to facilitate better channeling.  

[Mikey]

I'm not saying a short tube won't work, but the added length is a nice safety factor. Just stands to reason that the more surface area your filter has, the faster it will allow the runnings to flow and the less likely it will clog.

[denny]

I'm not saying a short tube won't work, but the added length is a nice safety factor. Just stands to reason that the more surface area your filter has, the faster it will allow the runnings to flow and the less likely it will clog.

But why wouldn't the wort just flow in one side and out the other?  Why would it follow a perforated tube with so much open surface area?