Herms & rims

[haerbob3]

Hi anyone have advice for someone just starting out with a HREMS rig? I have brew 6 batches so far. Like it. I am still having a problem getting my efficiency to be the same between batches.

How big of an effect does your crush have to do with it?

I am batch sparging because I only have one pump.

 

[tally350z]

What is the variance you are having in the efficiency? Are you crushing the grain yourself? Do you have some examples?

 

[haerbob3]

I do the crushing myself. I use a barley crusher and an electric drill at just enough speed to keep it moving. If I go faster I had stuck sparges but that was when I was doing my mashing in a cooler. Does the rate at which the wort flows thr the grain bed effect the efficiency?

 

[Rbeckett]

crush will affect efficiency if it is grossly under cracked or over powdered. You have probably experienced the powder issue, but can prevent that by adding rice hulls next time. I try to get the crush as fine as I can get without a stuck sparge. I also tend to re-rinse my grains a bit when I am vorkaufing and sparging. If it isnt really really clear I dump it back in the top with the sparge water and try again. I batch sparge and add just enough water to cover the grain by about 1 inch when I am sparging. I have even poured a gallon or more back into the tun because it didnt appear to be clear enough solids wise to suit me too. Maintaining your temps is a big thing to conversion rates so keep a close eye on you Strike, Mash-in and temp drop too.

Wheelchair Bob