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07-24-2010, 11:15 PM
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#1
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 775
Liked 5 Times on 5 Posts
Likes Given: 8
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Low efficiency, but it just doesn't make sense!
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10.25 lbs of 2 row, 1 lb crystal 60.
Mashed spot-on at 152 for 1 hour, got first runnings, did a two step batch (with 5 minute soak) sparge with 190 degree sparge water, which raised grain bed temp to 166-167 degrees both times.
Boiled down from 6 gallons to 5, hoped for 1.059 and I got 1.050.
What happened? This just does not make sense, since I've gotten better efficiency in the past with less perfect temps.
I was so happy that I thought I finally figured this whole all grain thing out, then I was so dissapointed when I was almost a whole point off.
BTW, I stir the crap out of my grain, so dough balls are not a possible culprit.
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07-24-2010, 11:27 PM
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#2
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Vendor
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,169
Liked 4 Times on 4 Posts
Likes Given: 2
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how are you crushing?
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07-24-2010, 11:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,496
Liked 70 Times on 64 Posts
Likes Given: 26
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When you add the sparge water, do you stir?
That makes a great deal of difference
-a
__________________
There are only 10 types of people in this world. Those that understand binary, and those that don't.
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07-25-2010, 12:04 AM
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#4
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 775
Liked 5 Times on 5 Posts
Likes Given: 8
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I'm using the pre-milled option from Austin Home Brew, and yes, I'm stirring!  |
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07-25-2010, 12:54 AM
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#5
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 412
Liked 9 Times on 9 Posts
Likes Given: 11
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Hydrometer Calibration
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It wouldn't hurt to test your hydrometer in some distilled water @ 60-F and see what it reads. Mine started to really slip over the years... at the end, I had to add 0.020 to the readings to get it accurate.
--LexusChris
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07-25-2010, 01:54 AM
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#6
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Annandale, NJ
Posts: 137
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts
Likes Given: 1
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How fast are you sparging? I got a big efficiency bump (about 5%) by really taking my time and letting the sparge go very slowly instead of just cranking open the valve. Patience with the sparge is a necessity imo.
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07-25-2010, 01:55 AM
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#7
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 775
Liked 5 Times on 5 Posts
Likes Given: 8
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Batch sparging with valve open 100%... will try that hydrometer calibration
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07-25-2010, 01:57 AM
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#8
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Annandale, NJ
Posts: 137
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts
Likes Given: 1
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Id try batch sparging with the valve open 20%, it will take more time but your efficiency should improve a few points.
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07-25-2010, 02:01 AM
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#9
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Feedback Score: 1 reviews
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 5,420
Liked 48 Times on 46 Posts
Likes Given: 29
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Most batch spargers go as fast as possible - throttling it back should really have no effect if you are doing it correctly.
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07-25-2010, 02:17 AM
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#10
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Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 238
Liked 5 Times on 5 Posts
Likes Given: 2
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I'd agree with double checking the hydrometer. I tossed one away that was off by almost an entire point.
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