First All Grain Batch - A little help

[jaybagley]

I created my first all grain recipe in BeerSmith 2.0 and commenced brewing. It's in the fermenter now, so only time will tell how it turns out, but there are a couple of issues right off the bat. Maybe you all can help with some answers.

Problem #1 - Expected 6.98 Gallons out of the Mash and only got about 6.5. I noticed that after the batch sparge was drained and sat for awhile, more liquid accumulated (I noticed after the brew session while cleaning out the tun). I got about another 1/4 gallong out of it. I drained the mash and added the sparge water, let it set for about 10 minutes and then drained. Is my process wrong?

Problem #2 - My OG was lower than expected. I wanted 1.066 and wound up with 10.60. BeerSmith says my efficiency was 54%.

Problem #3 - I pitched two packets of rehydrated US-05 and oxygenated my wort with a Gulfstream oxgenation system and 14 hours later I'm noticing very little activity. I'd have thought that it would be humming by now. My fermenter is at 62 degrees right now, a little cooler than I'd like, but it's January in Chicago.

Here is my Brew Process information:

Recipe: Hingle McCringleberry IPA TYPE: All Grain
Style: American IPA
---RECIPE SPECIFICATIONS-----------------------------------------------
SRM: 10.5 SRM SRM RANGE: 6.0-15.0 SRM
IBU: 67.4 IBUs Rager IBU RANGE: 40.0-70.0 IBUs
OG: 1.066 SG OG RANGE: 1.056-1.075 SG
FG: 1.010 SG FG RANGE: 1.010-1.018 SG
BU:GU: 1.015 Calories: 199.7 kcal/12oz Est ABV: 7.4 %
EE%: 72.00 % Batch: 5.50 gal Boil: 6.98 gal BT: 60 Mins

---WATER CHEMISTRY ADDITIONS----------------

Amt Name Type # %/IBU
5.50 gal Chicago, IL Water 1 -
4.00 g Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 mins Water Agent 2 -

Total Grain Weight: 13 lbs 8.0 oz Total Hops: 9.00 oz oz.
---MASH/STEEP PROCESS------MASH PH:5.40 ------
>>>>>>>>>>-ADD WATER CHEMICALS BEFORE GRAINS!!<<<<<<<
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
12 lbs 8.0 oz Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 3 92.6 %
8.0 oz Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 4 3.7 %
8.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) Grain 5 3.7 %


Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Mash In Add 4.47 gal of water at 163.0 F 148.0 F 75 min

---SPARGE PROCESS---
>>>>>>>>>>-RECYCLE FIRST RUNNINGS & VERIFY GRAIN/MLT TEMPS: 70.0 F/70.0 F
>>>>>>>>>>-ADD BOIL CHEMICALS BEFORE FWH
Batch sparge with 2 steps (0.77gal, 3.62gal) of 168.0 F water
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
0.50 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - First Wo Hop 6 22.8 IBUs

---BOIL PROCESS-----------------------------
Est Pre_Boil Gravity: 1.055 SG Est OG: 1.066 SG
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
1.00 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - Boil 20. Hop 7 13.9 IBUs
1.25 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - Boil 15. Hop 8 13.8 IBUs
0.50 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Boil 15.0 mins) Other 9 -
1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 mins) Fining 10 -
1.00 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - Boil 10. Hop 11 8.3 IBUs
1.25 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - Boil 5.0 Hop 12 8.6 IBUs
1.00 oz Falconers Flight 7 C [9.90 %] - Boil 0.0 Hop 13 0.0 IBUs


---FERM PROCESS-----------------------------
Primary Start: 01/05/2013 - 7.00 Days at 67.0 F
Secondary Start: 01/12/2013 - 10.00 Days at 67.0 F
Style Carb Range: 2.20-2.70 Vols
Bottling Date: 01/22/2013 with 2.6 Volumes CO2:
---NOTES------------------------------------




 

[chickypad]

Congrats on your first AG batch. Couple thoughts on your issues

#1 - I always throw in a few extra quarts for sparge than what the software tells me so I'm not stuggling to get every last drop (doesn't seem to affect my efficiency, 76-79% both batch and fly sparging on my systems).

#2 - Did you stir after adding your sparge water? I stir it up good when batch sparging then let it sit for 10 min. Also little hard to tell but your crush seems a kinda coarse, I think I see some whole kernels in there. Maybe tighten that up.

#3 - I use US-05 a lot but once in a while get a batch that seems to start slower despite same rehydrating process, etc. Probably just needs some time at 62*. I wouldn't be too worried at 14hrs.

 

[jaybagley]

I crushed the grains at my LHBS. Maybe I could run it through twice?

 

[coosabrew]

Agreed with chickypad, I have crushed grains better with a rolling pin! A good stir while mashing and sparge (batch) will help. Did not see a filter of some sort on the wet grains pic? Using a bazooka tube or SS braid? Sounds like a nice brew, IPA with Maris Otter, sweet! The crush has a huge impact on efficency. Congrats! and enjoy. Do not worry about fermentation, it will happen.

 

[jaybagley]

Thanks for the replies! To answer a couple questions. I poured my mash water into my mash tun which has a SS braid and then added the grains and stirred. I also stirred when I added my sparge water.

 

[jaybagley]

One more quick question. When draining the wort, I recycled about 3 of the 4 gallons through because it never seemed to clear. What's the best way to tell if the runnings are clear? Maybe I just need better light in my garage.