Hi, all. The n00b here, another question.
I brew using commercial kits using the sttep-in-a-bag-and-add-LME method, and for the past four batches (two Pale Ales, one Red Ale, one Porter) I seem to be missing my predicted OG numbers.
For example, the last batch (the Red Ale) from Brewer's Best kit says that the OG should be 1.048-1.052, but I came in at 1.026 or so.
I have checked my hydrometer: I poured a measure of water into the tube, let it sit at room temperature for several hours (wife.gov is adamant about keeping the house at 69 degrees, which is pretty close to the 68 degrees at which the hydrometer is calibrated) and I got a reading right at 1.000.... so I'm pretty confident the hydrometer is correct.
My method, in case that's the source:
I have a 16 quart stock pot where I'll heat 2.5 gallons of water, steep my grains (usually 150-165 degrees F), remove the grain bag and let drip, add the LME, boil and add hops to schedule, chill in a large Igloo cooler filled with ice water until temps are around 90, siphon to my carboy, add cool water to make 5 gallons (I measured 5 gallons and drew a line on the carboy so I know where to stop) and use a sanitized turkey baster to draw wort to take a gravity reading.
What am I doing wrong? Final gravity readings are usually pretty close to the predicted numbers on the kit (Red Ale predicted: 1.011-1.015, and I had 1.010), but with an OG of 1.020, I'm getting beer that's pretty weak.
Muchas gracias for any input or help all y'all can offer.
JRB
I brew using commercial kits using the sttep-in-a-bag-and-add-LME method, and for the past four batches (two Pale Ales, one Red Ale, one Porter) I seem to be missing my predicted OG numbers.
For example, the last batch (the Red Ale) from Brewer's Best kit says that the OG should be 1.048-1.052, but I came in at 1.026 or so.
I have checked my hydrometer: I poured a measure of water into the tube, let it sit at room temperature for several hours (wife.gov is adamant about keeping the house at 69 degrees, which is pretty close to the 68 degrees at which the hydrometer is calibrated) and I got a reading right at 1.000.... so I'm pretty confident the hydrometer is correct.
My method, in case that's the source:
I have a 16 quart stock pot where I'll heat 2.5 gallons of water, steep my grains (usually 150-165 degrees F), remove the grain bag and let drip, add the LME, boil and add hops to schedule, chill in a large Igloo cooler filled with ice water until temps are around 90, siphon to my carboy, add cool water to make 5 gallons (I measured 5 gallons and drew a line on the carboy so I know where to stop) and use a sanitized turkey baster to draw wort to take a gravity reading.
What am I doing wrong? Final gravity readings are usually pretty close to the predicted numbers on the kit (Red Ale predicted: 1.011-1.015, and I had 1.010), but with an OG of 1.020, I'm getting beer that's pretty weak.
Muchas gracias for any input or help all y'all can offer.
JRB