homebrewandbeer.com

G'day,
I am just about ready to do my first all grain brew and need a couple of things cleared up. After the mash has sat for an hour, I recirculate the first runnings. Then do I drain the mash completely before I sparge or do I leave some wort in the mash tun? If so, how much?
My second question is about keeping grain. If I am buying cracked grain, how long can this be stored before it must be used. If I buy uncracked grain, how long can this be kept and how do I store it?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Cadbury

After you recirculate (vorlauf) you drain the entire mash.
Then add your sparge water, recirculate, and drain the lot.

Cracked grain should be OK for 2 or 3 months if stored in a cool dry place.
If it's till in its original packing (such as CraftBrewers vacuum packs) it will keep for many months.

I'm still using uncracked grain I bought close to a year ago, and it's fine.

+1 to everything Warra has said.

Grain doesnt last that long in my shed, i brew far too much (and as a consequence drink more than the medically approved daily quantities - all in the name of research.... )

Thanks, that has put me in the right direction.
Cadbury