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Author Topic: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....  (Read 7025 times)

Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #15 on: November 03, 2010, 09:24:30 pm »
Maybe some people have bad backs or maybe they just aren't as virile as you. I've never considered using a shop vac for grain and probably never will, but it's a good idea, IMO.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2010, 05:28:00 am »
Bad back? Don't you still have to empty the shop vac? I just don't get where the convenience is, thats all I'm sayin'.

Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #17 on: November 04, 2010, 06:29:17 am »
Well, when you split up 40 pounds into 4, 10 pound batches, you only have to lift 10 pounds rather than 40. Also, it may be that you need to get the tun down to a manageable weight just to move it from a difficult spot.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #18 on: November 04, 2010, 07:01:04 am »
A scoop would work for that, and you wouldn't even have to plug it in. ;)

Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #19 on: November 04, 2010, 07:47:07 am »
Okay, you're right.

Offline denny

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #20 on: November 04, 2010, 10:48:52 am »
Just can't see the problem with emptying one for a 5 or 10 gallon batch. In fact, dragging the shop vac out would be a bigger PITA IMO.


Aye...I just carry my cooler out to the compost pile and dump it. 
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Offline bluesman

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #21 on: November 04, 2010, 10:55:54 am »
Just can't see the problem with emptying one for a 5 or 10 gallon batch. In fact, dragging the shop vac out would be a bigger PITA IMO.


Aye...I just carry my cooler out to the compost pile and dump it. 

+1

...but I put the cooler in a wheelbarrow and haul it to the compost pile.  Easy!
Ron Price

Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #22 on: November 04, 2010, 10:57:27 am »
Hello all,
Has anyone used a shopvac to suck the grain out of the mash tun?
I'm looking at a new system I'm about to put into action and will be dealing with 44 lb +/- of grain.
Currently I just pick it up and dump but that is 12 +/- lbs.
I know I could scoop it out, but thought the shopvac might be easier and faster.
Thoughts?

Thanks, Kevin

The OP is dealing with 44 pounds of wet grain. Hey Conan, can you carry that tun to the compost bin?

Offline akr71

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #23 on: November 04, 2010, 11:02:46 am »

The OP is dealing with 44 pounds of wet grain. Hey Conan, can you carry that tun to the compost bin?

No, but I can tip the tun over and empty it into a wheelbarrow, then wheel it to the compost.
Andy

Amherst, NS - Canada

Offline denny

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #24 on: November 04, 2010, 11:05:39 am »
Hello all,
Has anyone used a shopvac to suck the grain out of the mash tun?
I'm looking at a new system I'm about to put into action and will be dealing with 44 lb +/- of grain.
Currently I just pick it up and dump but that is 12 +/- lbs.
I know I could scoop it out, but thought the shopvac might be easier and faster.
Thoughts?

Thanks, Kevin


The OP is dealing with 44 pounds of wet grain. Hey Conan, can you carry that tun to the compost bin?


Please note that I wasn't responding to the OP....try to keep up!  ;)
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #25 on: November 04, 2010, 11:34:32 am »
I'm not trying to keep up with the diversions. I'm just trying to keep the thread on track with the original request. Only seems fair to the OP. :D

I too carry a large cooler with a lot of wet grain out to a compost bin, but I have to say, it's getting harder to do. I'm open to any ideas that will ease the brew day and the stress on my back. I'm really thinking about wheels on my mash tun via some sort of cart.

Offline euge

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #26 on: November 04, 2010, 12:08:50 pm »
I use a dolly (hand truck) with big bouncy wheels sometimes to move the tun out to the compost heap. Watching my back as well.
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Offline 6thstreet

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #27 on: November 04, 2010, 12:16:57 pm »
My mash tun is a keg.  It gets damn heavy when it is full of grain not to mention pretty hot.  I could tip it but I have to first unhook all of the plumbing and then try really hard not to spill wet grain all over my garage or myself.  I used to scoop it but it takes forever and doesnt do nearly as good of a job.  My shop vac is right there so it isnt inconvenient to get it out.  To be honest this works wonderful for my set up but when I was using a cooler I never considered it because it was lighter and more maneuverable.  Another thing is that when I uhook everything I really don't want a bunch of spent grains or especially used hops sprayed out onto my lawn.

Offline Mikey

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #28 on: November 04, 2010, 12:38:13 pm »
Do you just suck some fresh water through the hose to clean it out?

Offline 6thstreet

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Re: Removing spent grain from MT, has anyone.....
« Reply #29 on: November 16, 2010, 12:50:05 pm »
About a 10 second spray down with the hose and everything is as clean as a shop vac needs to be