DanMalleck
Active Member
Hi everyone
I’ve been brewing all grain for 12 years now and probably should have nailed my process by now. But I took some time off and am currently brewing smaller batches (3Gal) until I get my brewing mojo back. (long story no point going over it now)
The problem is no matter what I do my numbers are off. My efficiency is about 55%; my OG and FG are lower than expected, and everything is just…. Wrong
I could use some suggestions
I am using a 5 gal cooler with one of those DIY braided hoses as a filter. I grind my grains myself, and moisten the base grain before grinding so I get lots of husks to make a nice grain bed/filter. I get a pretty fine crush but not flour!
I picked up a decent ph meter so I have been keeping an eye on my ph and it matches the brewsmith estimations. Normally 5.5 or thereabouts. I have added lactic acid and baking soda (depending on which way I need to adjust the ph) and apart from one mess up the first time I use the meter it seems to have gone ok (to be clear I don’t make a ph adjustment while mashing since I know that by the time I get a decent reading it’s too late; I make my adjustements in the water before mashing)
I also stir vigorously when mashing and let er sit. The temp has held well where I need it.
I used to fly sparge but now in order to try to address the efficiency thing I turned to batch sparging. I use Brew Smith’s calculations for how much water to use but normally increase it a touch because my final volumes have been lower than I want. I mash, check the conversion with an iodine test, recirculate until clear, drain the tun, add the sparge water, stir for a bit, let it sit, then drain. Last batch I did I added the sparge water before first drain, but otherwise I normally drain first.
My gravity going into the kettle has routinely been about 10 points below expected, although my final gravities have been about what was expected give or take a few points.
Final volume has normally been about 1/2 gallon below expected and gravity has been off by 10-15 points.
Ok, so any suggestions? This is very frustrating. I mean, the beer hasn’t been terrible, but I would Ike to be able to hit the numbers a little better. (Btw I’ve been working on some basic batches, like a bitter or pale ale, so not a lot of complicated ingredients)
I’ve been brewing all grain for 12 years now and probably should have nailed my process by now. But I took some time off and am currently brewing smaller batches (3Gal) until I get my brewing mojo back. (long story no point going over it now)
The problem is no matter what I do my numbers are off. My efficiency is about 55%; my OG and FG are lower than expected, and everything is just…. Wrong
I could use some suggestions
I am using a 5 gal cooler with one of those DIY braided hoses as a filter. I grind my grains myself, and moisten the base grain before grinding so I get lots of husks to make a nice grain bed/filter. I get a pretty fine crush but not flour!
I picked up a decent ph meter so I have been keeping an eye on my ph and it matches the brewsmith estimations. Normally 5.5 or thereabouts. I have added lactic acid and baking soda (depending on which way I need to adjust the ph) and apart from one mess up the first time I use the meter it seems to have gone ok (to be clear I don’t make a ph adjustment while mashing since I know that by the time I get a decent reading it’s too late; I make my adjustements in the water before mashing)
I also stir vigorously when mashing and let er sit. The temp has held well where I need it.
I used to fly sparge but now in order to try to address the efficiency thing I turned to batch sparging. I use Brew Smith’s calculations for how much water to use but normally increase it a touch because my final volumes have been lower than I want. I mash, check the conversion with an iodine test, recirculate until clear, drain the tun, add the sparge water, stir for a bit, let it sit, then drain. Last batch I did I added the sparge water before first drain, but otherwise I normally drain first.
My gravity going into the kettle has routinely been about 10 points below expected, although my final gravities have been about what was expected give or take a few points.
Final volume has normally been about 1/2 gallon below expected and gravity has been off by 10-15 points.
Ok, so any suggestions? This is very frustrating. I mean, the beer hasn’t been terrible, but I would Ike to be able to hit the numbers a little better. (Btw I’ve been working on some basic batches, like a bitter or pale ale, so not a lot of complicated ingredients)