Guidry
Well-Known Member
Ok, switched over from "regular" all-grain to BIAB and I was getting ~70% that way. Today I did a BIAB brew and got 52%. Any ideas how that could happen? Other BIAB brews have been 70+%.
I mill it myself. Like I said, I haven't had a real problem with efficiency before, I've always been in the 68-75% range. I thought about it a lot last evening because it frustrated me and I may have found a possible cause.
This was a small batch BIAB (2.5 gallon batch). I've always used one of those paint strainer bags to hold the grain, but normally my grain was in the 3.75-4.5lb range. This time I had 5.75 lbs and I think maybe the bag might be a little small for that. Maybe the mash water could not flow well enough through it. I have a larger grain bill planned for the next one so I think SWMBO might be sewing up a bag for me.
[Off to look for example photos]
C-Rider said:What are you mashing in and how much water did U use? Did you mix it at all during the mash? Did you stir as you added the grain?
I mash in my kettle. I always mash with 6 gallons of water regardless of grain bill and then use 170 deg sparge water to bring up to desired pre-boil water. I squeeze bag hard after initial mash and after rinsing grain bag with sparge water. Yes I stir after adding grain, stir really good too. I also stir at 1/2 hr mark, and again at end.
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