I did my first AG with my MLT today and it did not go well.
First, I meant to mash at 154 for 60 min. I did all the calculations and used brewing software to figure my strike water. Everything was at the correct temp, but when I added the water the temp hit 147. I added hot water- I don't know temps and volumes because I was panicking- and couldn't get it over 150.
Then my sparge got stuck. Not a biggie in itself, I think it was the flaked barley that did it.
Then I forgot to vorlauf.
Then, I ended up with 5.75 gallons in the kettle for a 5 gallon batch- pefect, right? No. I boiled for an hour and ended up with 3.5 gallons. I wasn't blasting it either, just a nice rolling boil. Has anyone ever heard of a 39% evap rate?
To top it off, I pitched before I took a gravity reading so I have no idea what my efficiency was.
At least it was a nice balmy 55 degrees.
First, I meant to mash at 154 for 60 min. I did all the calculations and used brewing software to figure my strike water. Everything was at the correct temp, but when I added the water the temp hit 147. I added hot water- I don't know temps and volumes because I was panicking- and couldn't get it over 150.
Then my sparge got stuck. Not a biggie in itself, I think it was the flaked barley that did it.
Then I forgot to vorlauf.
Then, I ended up with 5.75 gallons in the kettle for a 5 gallon batch- pefect, right? No. I boiled for an hour and ended up with 3.5 gallons. I wasn't blasting it either, just a nice rolling boil. Has anyone ever heard of a 39% evap rate?
To top it off, I pitched before I took a gravity reading so I have no idea what my efficiency was.
At least it was a nice balmy 55 degrees.