Lauter Tun And Mash Tun for Brewhouses

What is a Lauter Tun?

Lauter Tun is a vessel for separating the wort from the solids of the mash and is also used with temperature-programmed and double mashing systems. This process is known as lautering. Lautering is critical because it ensures that the wort is free from any grain or other solids that can affect the quality of the beer.

A lauter tun works much like a large sieve, much like the mash tun. It normally has a slotted, perforated floor, also called a false bottom, which holds the spent milled grains, while allowing the wort to filter through the grain bed and collect in the space beneath the wort then runs to the brew kettle.

Other brewhouses may have a setup in which a single vessel serves as both the mash and the lauter unit, thus eliminating the need to pump the mash. These systems remain common in the UK for performing single temperature infusion mashes. Such mash tuns, like lauter tuns, are fitted with false bottoms. The advantages of a combination mash/lauter tun are less up-front equipment cost and a smaller footprint in the brewhouse. The advantage of two separate vessels for mashing and lautering is that the mash tun can be filled again with a new batch while the previous batch is still running off into the kettle. Thus, a separate lauter tun allows a brewery to produce more brews per day than would otherwise be possible.

What is a Mash Tun?

A mash tun is a vessel that is used in the brewing process to steep grains in hot water. 

A mash tun typically has a false bottom that separates the grains from the liquid, allowing the liquid to drain off while leaving the grain behind.

Differences Between a Mash Tun and Lauter Tun:

While both a mash tun and lauter tun are used in the brewing process, there are differences between the two. 

1. The primary difference is their purpose. 

A mash tun is used to steep the grains and convert the starches into fermentable sugars. 

While a lauter tun is used to separate the liquid wort from the spent grains.

2. Another difference is the design of the vessels. 

A mash tun typically has a false bottom that is designed to keep the grains separate from the liquid during the steeping process.

A lauter tun has a perforated false bottom that allows the liquid to drain off while leaving the grain behind.

3. The sparging arm in a lauter tun is also an important design feature that is not present in a mash tun. 

The sparging arm is used to add hot water to the mash to rinse the remaining sugars from the grain, which ensures that the wort is as sweet and flavorful as possible.

4. Finally, the false bottom in a lauter tun is typically finer than that in a mash tun. 

This is because the lauter tun's primary purpose is to separate the liquid from the spent grains, so it needs to be as effective as possible in removing any solids.

In conclusion

When selecting a mash tun or lauter tun there are several factors to consider including the size of the vessel, materials used and design features. 

The mash tun and lauter tun are two key components in the beer brewing process. While they both play a vital role in the process, they have different purposes and designs. The mash tun is used to steep the grain in hot water to convert the starch into fermentable sugars, while the lauter tun is used to separate the liquid wort from the wort after mashing is complete.