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Sparging to PBG or preboil volume?

brewmoreblack

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Jul 13, 2008
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Location
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newbie all grain question..

When sparging, is it better to sparge to your expected PBG, or sparge to your expected pre-boil volume, and then boil down to your PBG before starting the hops schedule?

 
I have found it much more consistent to fixate on the pre-boil volume.  If you over collect, it's a pain to boil it down.  Once you learn your system, you'll get fairly consistent and be close enough.  If you just have to hit an OG, then you can either boil longer, add some DME, or add some water with ten mins to go to lower to the SG. 
 
I too always shoot for a consistent pre-boil volume.  I know my boil-off rate and would rather adjust the wort than over sparge and collect off flavors.  I do keep an eye on the gravity to be sure I don't collect anything below 1.008 which is my cutoff. 
 
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