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Author Topic: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?  (Read 11187 times)

Offline brewmonk

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So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« on: August 20, 2011, 06:30:23 am »
I'm one of those extract guys who looks over at the "big kids" doing all grain and want to play.  ;D

I was curious what the average brew day length is for you guys, from beginning prep to process to final cleanup.
I'm looking at doing something simple like a mash in a bag on the stove top. I've seen that some people have a fancy set up and can do it really fast, and others just take their time, but what would be an average (if there is one) length of time.  My schedule is limited but maybe not too much.

Thanks.
Br. Francis
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Offline ukolowiczd

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2011, 07:43:01 am »
I first want to say that when I looked at all grain brewing from an extract brewers perspective, I too thought it impossible. But since I did my first all grain, I haven't looked back. It really isn't that much more difficult but does add probably about 3 hours. The thing an all grain brewer is doing that an extract brewer isn't is pulling out the sweet wort from the grains rather than using extract. I like just buying a mash/lauter tun. You can mash easily right now by just putting in 10 lbs. of grain and hot water into a cooler to get a mash temp b/w 150-155F. Let it sit for 1 hour. Then you need a lauter tun with holes on the bottom for the grains to settle out. You'll pour hot water (168-170F) over the grains, slowly for an hour. Wha-la! You've got your wort! I lauter out about 6.5 gallons and boil in a 7 gallon pot so I don't have to add water at the end. Once you get this process done, you'll find tons of new toys to add to make your beer better and better. But I promise you, once you do all grain, your first beer will be so much better than all your extract versions (although not to insult anyone; I personally have never made a better extract beer).

Overall you'll be adding about 2 1/2 - 3 hours to your brew day (1 hour mash, 1 hour sparge/lauter and 1/2 - 1 hour of getting liquids to temps).

2 of the many suppliers where you can buy cooler mash/lauter tuns for under $150.

http://www.homebrewstuff.com/index.php

williamsbrewing.com

Offline tygo

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2011, 07:44:56 am »
It takes me around 5-6 hours from start to finish depending on how long I'm mashing / boiling.
Clint
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Offline a10t2

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2011, 07:45:36 am »
4.5-5.5 hours, depending on the length of the mash and the boil.
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Offline denny

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2011, 08:14:35 am »
1 hour sparge/lauter

You can cut that down to 15 min. by batch sparging.

It takes me about 4 1/2 hours for my average single infusion batch from the time I run water to the time I finish cleanup.  Depending iin the beer, sometimes I'll extend the mash or boil for an extra 1/2 hour beyond that.  I have a situation where I have most of my stuff set up all the time, so I don't have to deal with getting it out and setting it up.  You can see my equipment and method at www.dennybrew.com .
« Last Edit: August 20, 2011, 08:17:26 am by denny »
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Offline jamminbrew

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2011, 08:15:19 am »
The first time I did an all grain brew, it took me over 8 hours. I have since refined my methods, and can do it in 5-6 hours.  Time well spent, if you ask me.
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Offline jeffy

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2011, 08:44:02 am »
The first time I did an all grain brew, it took me over 8 hours. I have since refined my methods, and can do it in 5-6 hours.  Time well spent, if you ask me.
For me, the quickest would be just over four hours and the lengthiest about six, depending on the mash schedule and the boil time.  I get some prep work done the day before, setting up the equipment and milling the malt.  Having more than one burner helps speed thing up, I think.
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Offline tonyp

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2011, 08:50:31 am »
Just did my first all-grain batch and it took around 5-6 hrs total, but now that i've done the process i think i can cut that down by atleast an hour
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Offline Mark G

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2011, 09:14:55 am »
I've got it down to about 4 hours on brew day, but I do most of the prep work the day before. I'll mill the grains, prepare my water, and get all my equipment out the night before brewing. Then I set up an electric bucket heater in my HLT and put it on a timer so the water is at, or close to, strike temp when I wake up in the morning. I'm guessing that if I skipped the day before prep, my brew day would be closer to 5 hours.

And batch sparging is your friend...
Mark Gres

Offline ukolowiczd

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2011, 09:46:34 am »
Is batch sparging simply pulling out all the wort at once, adding all your sparge water, mixing and pulling out the wort again? Or do you add sparge water in steps? Do you guys find that this is just as effective as fly sparging?

Offline denny

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2011, 10:13:40 am »
Is batch sparging simply pulling out all the wort at once, adding all your sparge water, mixing and pulling out the wort again? Or do you add sparge water in steps? Do you guys find that this is just as effective as fly sparging?

Your first description is correct.  It's at least as effective as fly sparging and in some cases even moreso.  I average about 85% efficiency with batch sparging.  See www.dennybrew.com for details.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline skyler

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2011, 10:58:39 am »
I would whole-heartedly recommend anyone new to mashing to first try batch sparging before deciding whether to try fly sparging. It is far faster and easier, and it typically requires less equipment. The margin of error is also far bigger with batch sparging, so little beginner errors are not so damning on the final product.

Offline cheba420

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #12 on: August 20, 2011, 12:48:08 pm »
Depending on boil time...5.5 - 6 hours from start to finish.
Matt
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Offline alan_marks59

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2011, 12:30:45 am »
Hey Gang! Don't forget the clean up time...

YMMV,
Alan

Offline Malticulous

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Re: So, how long to do a 5 gallon all-grain batch?
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2011, 07:35:29 am »
All day. I don't do much else. It's my day off.