setting up equipment profile in brewtarget for first batch ever

Greetings,
I am attempting to do my first batch ever and it's going to be all grain since there are no malt extracts where I live. This is also my first approach to brewing software. Here is my problem: in Brewtarget, when filling the field about the lauter deadspace, on the equipment settings, and since I have never brewed a single batch with it yet, must I write down how much tap water is left behind in the empty cooler when the spigot stops draining? Or must I grind enough grain to reach the amount stated in the recipe, pour it into the cooler filled with HOT water, leave it rest for an hour and then measure how much water is left behind in this condition? is this last question more related anyway to the grain absorption issue? This is what is keeping me away from beggining my brewing experience. Thanks in advance for any help.
Axel

I downloaded that program and gave up on trying to figure it out though. As far as free programs go I use a variety off the web and have great results.

I use this one to calculate strike temp, mash water and sparge water volume:
http://www.brew365.com/mash_sparge_water_calculator.php
The default data on this program is usually good enough. After your first batch you can always make adjustments.

And this one to calculate my recipes:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/calculator/

I didn't have the patience to figure out the data entry for brewtarget and the stop watches that were built in, frustrated me too.

THOUGH it could be because I was using a Mac, and that's usually the cause of all of my computer problems.

It depends on how you are sparging, and what kind of filtering device you have/ how much liquid is left behind during lautering. I mash in a 10 gal ss pot with a bazoooka screen, and i have my deadspace in brewtarget set to 2 or 3 qts. Hope that helps...

mpride1911 said:

I downloaded that program and gave up on trying to figure it out though. As far as free programs go I use a variety off the web and have great results.

I use this one to calculate strike temp, mash water and sparge water volume:
http://www.brew365.com/mash_sparge_water_calculator.php
The default data on this program is usually good enough. After your first batch you can always make adjustments.

And this one to calculate my recipes:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/calculator/

I didn't have the patience to figure out the data entry for brewtarget and the stop watches that were built in, frustrated me too.

THOUGH it could be because I was using a Mac, and that's usually the cause of all of my computer problems.

Click to expand...

FWIW i use brewtarget on mac. A little confusing at first, but i like it. Ive been fine-tuning my equipment stats, and its been pretty close to whats actually been going on during brewday.

nicklepickles said:

FWIW i use brewtarget on mac. A little confusing at first, but i like it. Ive been fine-tuning my equipment stats, and its been pretty close to whats actually been going on during brewday.

Click to expand...

That's cool, I keep thinking about getting back around to it and really getting an understanding but since the other sites have been working, I keep putting it off. But I don't get off work for another 7 hours, so maybe now's the time.

mpride1911 said:

That's cool, I keep thinking about getting back around to it and really getting an understanding but since the other sites have been working, I keep putting it off. But I don't get off work for another 7 hours, so maybe now's the time.

Click to expand...

For being free, its very nifty, and a bit more
accurate than the brewing app on my iphone that i paid for (brewpal).