4. milling targets for mash filters to membraine mash filters advantages vs. Lautering

Modern Mesh Filters

  • Material Composition

    • Plates and filter cloths made of polypropylene.

    • Polypropylene cloths last five times longer than traditional cotton.

    • Easier to clean than cotton cloths.

Compression Feature

  • Impact on Brewing Cycle

    • The statement that compression enables a shorter cycle for more brews per day is false.

    • Compression enhances extraction efficiency but does not necessarily affect cycle time.

Benefits of Modern Mash Filters

  • Advantages Over Traditional Systems

    • Higher extraction efficiency.

    • Lower water usage with drier spent grains.

  • Air Pressure Details

    • Initial compression at approximately 0.5 bar (7 psi).

    • Final compression at about 0.8 bar (11 psi).

Spent Grains Consistency

  • Comparison of Spent Grains

    • Mash filter produces lower moisture spent grains than a louder ton.

    • Mash filter shows superior extraction performance (less than 5% husk fraction vs. 15-20% in mash ton).

  • Impact of Grinding

    • Increased surface area in the mash leads to better extraction of starches, proteins, and polyphenols.

    • Fine particles accumulate in mash filters but are problematic in louder tons due to height.

Chamber Configuration

  • Brew Size Relation

    • Number of chambers in the mash filter scales with brew size.

    • Increased original gravity results in more chambers required for the same amount of finished wort.

  • Efficiency in Brewing

    • Mash filters allow for production of approximately 12 brews per day.

Advantages of Mash Filters Over Louder Tons

  • Wort Clarity

    • Mash filters yield a clearer wort with lower turbidity and lower fatty acids.

  • Higher Extract Yield

    • About 1-2% more extract from finer grinds and effective sparging.

  • Final Grain Properties

    • Lower moisture and higher solids in spent grains leading to reduced water usage.

  • Flexibility in Recipes

    • Accommodates significant changes in recipes for craft brewers.

  • Brewer Efficiency

    • Quick changeover (about five minutes) between recipes.

Space and Cost Considerations

  • Footprint

    • Smaller footprint than louder tons, beneficial for space management in a brewery.

  • Maintenance Concerns

    • Regular membrane and gasket replacement needed; cost implications.

  • Visibility Issues

    • Limited operator visibility in mash filters compared to louder tons.

Disadvantages of Mash Filters

  • Maintenance Needs

    • Changing membranes, gaskets, and filter cloths can be labor-intensive.

  • Spent Grain Removal

    • If pressure is too high, spent grains can be harder to remove.

    • Poorly modified malts may create sticky conditions complicating discharge.

Final Insights

  • General Suitability

    • Best suited for larger breweries with standardized brews requiring fewer adjustments in chamber numbers.

  • Market Application

    • Used in approximately 25% of global beers, but up to 90% in Belgium.

    • Future potential in craft brewing remains to be seen.