I started brewing a little over a year ago, made the switch to all grain last winter and have slowed down considerably on my brewing because ever since I made the switch to all grain, my efficiency has been horrible. I mean 45-55%! I figured my thermometer was off so I bought a new one, calibrated it and it is still doing absolutely horrible. I know its not so much the crush because I have tried from two different LHBS and ordered one online. I don't know what the heck is wrong. Like today for instance, I brewed a beer that beersmith estimated to be 1.072 and it wound up being 1.054. I know a lot of this is trial and error but I have changed everything up each time I have brewed and nothing has helped my efficiency.
I do a batch sparge, my cooler loses maybe 1-2 degrees over an hour so that should not be the problem.
The beer I have made is good, but everything I brew is all specialty or big brews, and none of them is turning out to be as big as I want them to be.
If anyone has any advice, please give it to me, before I turn this keezer I built last weekend into an Budlight distribution center!!!!! (JK about that last part but I need some help please.)
I do a batch sparge, my cooler loses maybe 1-2 degrees over an hour so that should not be the problem.
The beer I have made is good, but everything I brew is all specialty or big brews, and none of them is turning out to be as big as I want them to be.
If anyone has any advice, please give it to me, before I turn this keezer I built last weekend into an Budlight distribution center!!!!! (JK about that last part but I need some help please.)