Two Vessels Combinations of Mashing System
This kind of equipment is now widely used in the industry, mainly comprised of mash/lauter tun and kettle/whirlpool tun. The mash/lauter tun function is to mash and filter, while the kettle/whirlpool tun functions as boiling and whirlpooling. If you configure a hot water tank, the work effectiveness can be increased by 50%.
Advantages
The equipment is simple and requires a small investment
The pipeline is simple and easy to operate
The equipment height is low, meaning the site’s height requirement is not high.
Disadvantages
Only extraction and filtering can be used during the wort filter (the wort in the lauter tun can be extracted by the wort pump, then pumped into the kettle/whirlpool tank.) The filter speed is relatively slow, and there aren’t too many requirements for brewers. Once the operation goes wrong, the wheat grain layer becomes tight, making filtration difficult. The heavy results will cause the sieve plate to deform and affect subsequent use.
Generally, the beer equipment manufacturing industry will set up an agitator in the kettle/whirlpool tank because the kettle/whirlpool tank has a function with the whirlpool. The agitator will affect the effect of the whirlpool.
The water for washing grain needs to be prepared in advance and stored in the tank or fermenters (usually not recommended to store in the fermenters; if operated incorrectly, it is easy to form a vacuum in the fermentation tank or affect the operation of the ice water system), causing operational trouble and high heat loss.
To reduce the influence of the whirlpool, this type of equipment usually will not be equipped with an anti-rotation cross. It is mainly installed in the mashing tank, which prevents vortex from forming when pouring down the wort. There is no mashing/boiling pot with the anti-rotation cross. When pouring, it will easily form a vortex, which will cause gas to enter the wort pump, forming an air binding on the wort pump. This will cause a large amount of gas to enter the wort pump, forming cavitation and affecting the life of the wort pump.
Only the mashing with add wort method can be used. The mashing temperature step is less, and the malt quality is higher.
Generally, only two batches can be brewed daily, and the craft brewer must work overtime.
ACE 2 Vessels Brewhouse
Three Vessels Combinations of Mashing System (Two Tanks with Three Vessels of Mashing)
This equipment is generally combined with a kettle, mash/lauter tun, and whirlpool tank. Its lauter/whirlpool tank is composed of upper and lower structures. The upper structure is the lauter tun, and the lower layer is the whirlpool tank. It is commonly seen in beer houses and restaurants.
Advantages
Compared with the three-tanks-three-vessels saccharification system, the whole system is more compact and occupies less space
The heating area of the steam jacket in the kettle/boiling tank is huge and heats fast.
The lauter tun is above the whirlpool tank, which can realize natural filtration (wort filtration relies on gravity). The filtering speed is fast, the wort is bright, and the brightness is high; even if the operation goes wrong, the deformation of the false bottom will not occur due to the tightness of the wheat grain layer.
The whirlpool tank is designed as a vertical column tank because it is a special whirlpool tank. The whirlpool port is designed as a tangential whirlpool port, so the separation effect of hops and hot coagulum is better.
During the wort filter, the kettle can prepare the washing grain water, which can shorten the mashing time by 30-50 minutes. The usable effectiveness is higher than that of the two-vessel mashing system.
Generally, two batches of beer can be brewed during the daytime. If you consider working overtime and staying late, you can brew 3-4 batches daily. During the peak beer sales period, you can brew more beer in the shortest time.
Disadvantages
The equipment is generally higher than the traditional two-vessel mashing equipment and has certain height requirements for the site.
The equipment investment is higher than that of the traditional mashing two-vessel equipment, and the combined three-vessels mashing system can only do up to 1000L, and the volume is limited.
ACE 3 Vessels Brewhouse
Three Vessels Combinations of Mashing System (Three Tanks with Three Vessels of Mashing)
The equipment is available in a variety of combinations. The common combinations are as follows:
Mash tun + Lauter tun + Kettle/whirlpool tank
Mash/lauter tun + Kettle tun + Whirlpool tank
Mash/kettle tank + Lauter tun + Whirlpool tank
Advantages
The daily batches of brewing are similar to the three-vessel combinations of the mashing system.
The equipment height is low.
A variety of combinations can be selected, and later, it can be transformed into a four-vessels combination of the mashing system.
Disadvantages
Filtration can only be taken by filtration with extraction.
The equipment takes up a large area and requires a large investment.
ACE 3 Vessels Brewhouse
Four Vessels Combinations of Mashing System
Such equipment is common in small or medium-sized breweries. It is equipped with hot water tanks, in addition to basic mashing equipment, which can greatly improve production efficiency.
Advantages
The mashing process has a clear division of labor, significantly reducing the time occupied by the tank and improving production efficiency. The maximum brewing batch of beer can reach five batches per day.
Disadvantages
The equipment volume and land occupation are relatively large. Under the current transportation conditions, such equipment can do up to 3000L. If the volume of equipment is added, it must be constructed on-site.
Equipment investment is large.
