Grainfather Mashing - Gurgling Sounds

[gmcardle]

So I completed my first session on the Grainfather yesterday and it all seems to go well with approx 5.5 grain bill for a Red Ale. However, throughout the mash I was hearing a gurgling/gushing water sound every 5 seconds or so which I haven't heard on any Grainfather video I've seen on YouTube. This gurgling sound lasted for the entire mash. In addition, after I'd placed the top perforated plate gently onto the grain, sat in the overflow inlet, connected the pump arm, set the mash I noticed that the wort, thoughout the mash, filled up over the top perforated plate and went down the overflow. The wort didn't clear as much as I'd hoped or have seen in other videos online....so intially I'm thinking is something not right? It would be air coming back from the pump but I'm not sure.

I have a short video on YouTube below of the sound during mash, please let me know if this is normal or other?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM5sfp26GIw

[mick02]

I get this gurgling occasionally although I don't know what's causing it, Never affected my beer though.

Just so you know, the wort is meant to go through the overflow pipe so nothing unusual there.

There is a specific Grainfather thread on the forum too, you might consider posting there in future, you're more likely to get some good feedback.

Mick

[gmcardle]

Many thanks @mick02, good to know! I'm not sure if it's the recirculation though the mash or air pockets from the pump.

[mick02]

Many thanks @mick02, good to know! I'm not sure if it's the recirculation though the mash or air pockets from the pump.

Just edited my post as I only noticed that you mentioned the overflowing etc. Sounds like your first brew went well.

[DEMPSEY]

That sounded like a bit of airlock. The wort does fill up on the top and overflows down the center pipe as normal. It often settles down.

[armedcor]

Got that on my first brew half way through. I was putting it down to 50% wheat maybe slowing the flow through the grain.  I just trottled the pump until it was just barely going down the overflow pipe.

[gmcardle]

Got that on my first brew half way through. I was putting it down to 50% wheat maybe slowing the flow through the grain.  I just trottled the pump until it was just barely going down the overflow pipe.

Thanks for the update, when I'm mashing should I have the pump on full throughout the mash or slow down the recirculation using the valve?

[armedcor]

I've only done the one all grain on it so far. I had it wide open until I started hearing that noise. Then I slowed it down just until the wort was barely going down the pipe.

[beerfly]

when the braumeister starts up it is programmed to vent to pump.  turns it on for a second or two then turns it off. it does it 3 or 4 times and it clears out any air in the pump.  you could try doing that see if it has any improvement

[DEMPSEY]

I would suggest you run the pump while heating up the mash water. That's what I do as standard.

[Leann ull]

Run the hose pipe down the top pipe to back flush in case you have any crud in it?

[Pheeel]

It's not a problem with the pump. It's the sound of the liquid going down the overflow. It's fine