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mcarb · 01-11-2011, 02:35 PM

I am sure this has been covered extensively, but I am not sure exaclt what to search for. My efficiency has been in the 60-70% range, not horribl4e. But my latest recipe called for an OG of 1.066 and I ended up with 1.060. Once again not horrible, but consistent.

Should I up the grain bill a bit to get more out of it? What should I do to increase my efficiency?

Hex · 01-11-2011, 02:38 PM

You can always supplement with dry malt extract or syrup. Otherwise, increase the grain bill, boil longer, or work on improving your efficiency.

mcarb · 01-11-2011, 02:44 PM

I'm a newbie at all-grain. This is my third batch, the first being a huge mistake. I have done plenty of extract brewing.

Hex · 01-11-2011, 02:50 PM

I'm new to all grain too. I designed my system from suggestions here and in the hobby.

I'm doing SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hops) recipes to find out what my system will produce. I just run the plan, take good measurements and notes, and enjoy what comes out at the end of the pipeline.

Your off by 0.006, I'd be pleased with that! Just boil for an extra 15-30 min, adjust your hop schedule for the extended boil (eg. just boil the wort without hops in it, then start your additions as planned.) and end up with less finished beer (eg. 4.5 gal instead of 5.0.)

Cheers.

Clonefarmer · 01-11-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcarb

I'm a newbie at all-grain. This is my third batch, the first being a huge mistake. I have done plenty of extract brewing.

Your efficiency will probably improve as you repeat and refine your process. In the meantime Hex' suggestions will work well.

mcarb · 01-11-2011, 04:59 PM

Thanks guys.

**motobrewer** · 01-11-2011, 05:01 PM

chasing eff. will drive you mad.

grain is cheap.

**Homercidal** · 01-11-2011, 05:12 PM

Where are you getting your grain crushed? Many places will allow you adjust the crush, or will crush it twice. A finer crush will generally increase efficiency.

You can also simply add more grain to the recipe, or enter a lower efficiency into beersmith or other software and it will allow you to add grain to get the OG you desire for your given boil time.

I'd shoot for 70% or higher. I don't think it's that difficult to achieve. But if you think that the little bit extra it costs to run at 60% is no big deal, then just run at 60%. It won't hurt the flavor of your beer any.

Hex · 01-11-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homercidal

Where are you getting your grain crushed? Many places will allow you adjust the crush, or will crush it twice. A finer crush will generally increase efficiency....

Depends on mash and lauter setup. Direct fire mash, and fly sparge lauter leaves only hull and germ behind, same with decoction. I do not think that my efficiency would improve one bit with a different grind.

**joety** · 01-12-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hex

Depends on mash and lauter setup. Direct fire mash, and fly sparge lauter leaves only hull and germ behind, same with decoction. I do not think that my efficiency would improve one bit with a different grind.

You'd be surprised. That said, you may just be asking for a stuck sparge if you get too crazy. 60-70% isn't that bad, hopefully it's a bit more consistent than that. As others have said, grain is cheap. Just adjust the base grain, don't worry about the special malts.