wester101

Recipes 

So there are lots of recipe's but how do i know if i should buy more grain then the recipe says because i don't know what my efficency will be roughly because i have never done one? Sorry if this is a stupid question, i have got so much information on all grain my head is starting to hurt and i question if it is worth the trouble, my extract batches taste pretty darn good. Thanks for reading

BreckBastion

Recipes 

On my first AG brew, I added an extra lb of 2-row to somewhat account for the efficiency I thought I would get. I was expecting around 50-60% based on what others posted. I ended up way higher than that. I would shoot your grainbill for around 65-70% efficiency or so.

Scooby_Brew

Recipes 

Relax, it's not difficult at all. You could get some DME just in case. I always thought AG was so complicated, till I saw this video on YouTube:
Good luck with AG!

seigex

Recipes 

What's funny is this is the same video I watched that made me jump to all grain... wonder if he trolls these forums.

__________________
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. — Thomas Jefferson

On Deck: undecided
Primary #1: Edwort's Apfelwein
Primary #2: Green Flash West Coast IPA
on tap #1: Addicted Coffee Stout
on tap #2: none :(

WorryWort

Recipes 

How much grain, you ask?

Why, all grain, of course!

__________________
In Process - Russian Imperial Stout, Nelson Sauvin Rye IPA, Mild No.3

In Kegs - Barley Wine, Apfelwein, Wild BlackBerry Wheat, Coffee Oatmeal Porter

Gone - so many :(

seigex

Recipes 

WorryWort, have you been sipping from your gravity samples in your fermentation tank a little today? Honestly, you should wait until its kegged/bottled. Or at least invite me over when you do.

__________________
That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. — Thomas Jefferson

On Deck: undecided
Primary #1: Edwort's Apfelwein
Primary #2: Green Flash West Coast IPA
on tap #1: Addicted Coffee Stout
on tap #2: none :(

WorryWort

Recipes 

Today no. Today it's just unfermented sweet-wort with vodka.

__________________
In Process - Russian Imperial Stout, Nelson Sauvin Rye IPA, Mild No.3

In Kegs - Barley Wine, Apfelwein, Wild BlackBerry Wheat, Coffee Oatmeal Porter

Gone - so many :(

jescholler

Recipes 

I never thought of that. Now I know what to do with my hydrometer sample after the boil. Before it was just too sweet to pleasurably take down.

Back on topic, I would go one of two ways. If my kettle was large enough, I would estimate a 60% efficiency. If I got 75%, I would make a larger batch and leave some behind in the kettle.

If my kettle wasn't very large, I would assume a 70-75% efficiency and buy enough extract to complete the batch in the event that I got 60%.

I've heard Jamil say that with up to 30-40% extract, you won't be able to tell the difference (assuming you have a quality extract). I plan to always have extract available in case I miss my target efficiency.

__________________
Harsh Bitterness Experiment

Primary: Not until fall :(
Bottle: English Barleywine
On Deck: Session APA, Vanilla Oatmeal Stout

bbrim

Recipes 

I would recommend you just add a pound like previously suggested. Then RDWHAHB. I was all nerves about going all grain for months before I actually made the jump. Now I can't believe I waited, I'm doing things with beers that I onll dreamed of before. Things like adding 3# of rye to a pale ale, or a Munich SMaSH. You will be fine. Enjoy the experience.

boredatwork

Recipes 

What I have been doing for my first few AG batches, is doing a longer boil and target the recipe for the high end of the OG range I am looking for.

This was instead of hitting a low OG with my crappy efficiency, I usually hit the middle range (although my final volume is a little bit low of course).

I figure once my efficiency gets better, if ever, then all I would need to do is add water after the boil if the OG goes to high. And from then on go back to a regular boil time.