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FAQ-Kettle Screens

Question: What’s a mash/lauter tun? How does it work?
Answer:

A mash tun, also called a lauter tun, is a vessel in which you infuse your grains; usually a large cooler (or kettle) equipped with a false bottom and a valve with a spigot that allows you to draw off the sweet wort. In order to extract the sugar from the grains, you place them in the mash tun and cover them with water that is heated to 156 to 168 °F......Click to Read full Answer

Question: Why do I need a false bottom? What purpose does it serve?
Answer:

A false bottom is kind of a screen that aids in separating the sweet wort from the mash/ grains. A false bottom is usually a round piece of metal with lots of little holes drilled in it. It sits at the bottom of your mash tun, and is either curved or has legs that allow it to sit an inch or so above the bottom of the mash tun. When you sparge, the grain forms a kind of bed on top of the false bottom, allowing only the wort to filter through. Thus, your spigot doesn't get clogged with grain when you open it....Click to Read full Answer

Question: Why does all grain brewing take longer then extract?
Answer:

All grain brewing takes longer then extract because you are making the beer from scratch. It is kind of like making a cake from flour, butter, sugar, etc. instead of buying a cake mix. The all grain process is about extracting the sugars from the grain to make your beer. In extract brewing, you already have this part of the process done for you. It can take 4 to 6 hours for the extraction of the sugars to occur, and that is where the extra time comes in. You need this extra time to heat the water, convert the starches into sugar, and then you can boil the wort like normal. Brewers use the all grain method because it gives you total control of what goes into your beer. You get to choose all the grains, all the hops, and the yeast. With extract brewing you are somewhat limited by the company that makes the extract. You can choose how light, or dark, the extract is, but you do not have control over what grains are used in the extract making process. All grain brewing is the same process that the commercial brewers use when making their beer. They start with the raw ingredients, and end up with beer in the end. For those that are looking to be as close as possible to the professionals, all grain brewing is the only way to go. You have the most control over your beer and you can experiment with the flavor of the beer when you all grain brew. Is all grain brewing for everyone? No, time limits are a major reason why people do not get into all grain brewing.Plus, equipment can be expensive for this type of brewing. But, the results can be unmatched by extract brewing. The process itself is not as complicated as it appears. After a time or two, all grain brewing will become like second nature to you. For most, the extra time and effort is worth it. ...Click to Read full Answer

Question: What do I need to get into all grain brewing from extract brewing?
Answer:

It is great that you are ready to move on to the next step in brewing. All grain brewing isn’t that much harder than extract brewing, but it does take some specialty equipment. We want to say that we aren’t going to cover the fermentation equipment that you need because we assume you already have that, or you already know what you need to add. Also, there are a lot of ways to set up an all grain system, we are just going to go for a simple set up in this article. The same concepts work for any system, just replace items where you feel fit. Basic Equipment 1. 7.5 gallon brew pot, or larger 2. A 10 gallon water cooler (Gatorade cooler) with lid 3. A 5 gallon water cooler with lid 4. 2- Weld-B-Gone spigots 5. False bottom 6. High Temp Tubing 7. Propane Burner Optional Equipment 1. Sparge Arm 2. High Temp Pump ...Click to Read full Answer

Kettle Screens

Who are we to say these products should only be used in all-grain applications? These false bottoms and screens work well to help filter out hop material when used in your boil kettle whether you are an extract brewer or all-grain, particularly when used with whole hops.