T – as in pomace

What is draff?

In a single malt whisky distillery, the term "draff" refers to the solid, ochre-coloured to brownish, insoluble residues that remain on the sieve plate of the mash tun after mashing or lautering malted barley.

https://youtu.be/jY13pF7fKyc

How does the draff get out of the mash tun?

The sieve plate of our mash tun contains a hatch that can be opened after lautering. Through this opening, the mash residue, still around 80°C hot, falls down into a small stainless steel storage container. With the help of the rotating rakes in the lauter tun, the entire amount of draff is discharged in this way.

Where is the draff collected?

The draff is stored in a draff silo, also made of stainless steel and holding approximately 25 tons, which is located outside the production building behind our three malt silos.

How does the draff get into the silo?

Already during the discharge of the draff through the bottom hole in the mash tun, this mass is first continuously conveyed further by means of a screw conveyor in a pipe and then pneumatically transported in bursts by means of air pressure generated by a compressor through a pipeline with a diameter of approximately 20 cm into the draff silo.

What happens to the draff?

Since draff contains all solid and insoluble components of the malt grain, such as fibers, proteins, oils, trace elements, and some vitamins, it is very nutritious and thus a welcome feed supplement for our local animals. For this reason, farmers from the nearby area collect the draff with a tractor and trailer once a week. A beautiful cycle back to nature.