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**the_bird** · 01-26-2007, 05:31 PM

Efficiency sucked because I didn't collect as much wort as I should have (and as BeerSmith told me to). Didn't want to do a huge boil, so I eneded up sacrificing some efficiency points.

Desert_Sky · 01-26-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

The only problem with using your desired total runnings as your starting point (as I noted in the other thread, usually 7 - 7.5 gallons for me) is that for really BIG beers, your efficiency will suck. So, you have to either know to collect more on those, or factor in lower efficiency. My 1060 - 1065 beers have been 65% - 70% efficiency, my last ~1050 beer was almost 80%, so there will be a bit of a learning curve with your system.

Well sounds to me like you are assuming that everyone uses a hydrometer in the first place.

cheers

**Orfy** · 01-26-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimone

Well sounds to me like you are assuming that everyone uses a hydrometer in the first place.

cheers

And so you should. How can you know efficiency? How you're beer will turn out? If its finished?
Hell I believe you can even forecast the weather and tell what time of day it is with a hydrometer.

**the_bird** · 01-26-2007, 07:15 PM

I was hit-or-miss with the hydrometer when doing extract, but I check consistently with AG. I try to develop my own recipes, so it's the only way of being able to dial in my system. I know, now, that big beers, I'll probably get around 70% unless I sparge a ton, small beers close to 80%; that influences how much malt I'm using. I'm using my O2 system for the first time this weekend; I'd like to know it's impact on attenuation, that may also come into play down the line if I'm trying to brew something particularly dry or sweet.

Hell, I think even - GASP! - Walker's using a hydrometer now that he's gone the AG route.

**the_bird** · 01-26-2007, 08:34 PM

Extract's different than AG, though. Walker saw the light - why not you?

Desert_Sky · 01-26-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orfy

And so you should. How can you know efficiency? How you're beer will turn out? If its finished?
Hell I believe you can even forecast the weather and tell what time of day it is with a hydrometer.

I know the efficiency of my system. I don't need a hydrometer for that.

I purposely did diferent gravity beers to notice any changes in efficiency I may of had.

I know when my beer is done. I don't need a hydrometer for that either.Knowing my efficiency will do anything for me right now other than make me worry. It is what it is. Taking a hydrometer reading isn't going to change the fact that I may have gotten 72% efficiency or 75%. It's not going to change the fact that my yeast attenuated 67% or 72%. This is the joy of homebrewing for me.....My beer is in control of the fermentation process, all i can do is give it the best conditions along the way.

**the_bird** · 01-26-2007, 08:40 PM

Did you use a hydrometer when you were first starting, though? How else could you have dialed in your system? That's really what I'm talking about.

Desert_Sky · 01-26-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

Did you use a hydrometer when you were first starting, though? How else could you have dialed in your system? That's really what I'm talking about.

well yes of course....I used it to learn my system. Now I no longer need to.

**the_bird** · 01-26-2007, 08:44 PM

Then we're arguing different things. If you have your setup and are consistent, that's fine, but for me (and the OP, who's doing his first mash), you need to build up that base of knowledge before ditching it. I doubt I'll ever stop taking gravity readings, although I'll graduate to a refractometer at some point for simplicity.

Desert_Sky · 01-26-2007, 08:46 PM

Oh yea, a refractometer would be nice. One drop tells it all