Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
I have a Barley Crusher mill, so I can crush my grains on the brew day, to ensure fresh grain is used.
I have noticed that since going to the cooler mash tun, that my efficiency level has dropped a bit (less than a 10% reduction, going from 78-82% to ~72%)... I'm looking into why I'm getting the lower efficiency levels. One thought, I had, was perhaps it's the grain crush size the mill is set to. I'm using the default setting, from BC, of .039". Would I be better off going larger, or smaller than that? What direction do people tend to take on the crush size in order to see improved efficiency levels? I would like, if nothing else, to get about 75%
For reference, I'm using one of the bazooka screens inside the cooler mash tun, to filter the grain bed. I've not had any stuck sparges to date, so I'm pretty sure the crush size is at least good there. I'm also using the single infusion, no mash out model... I'm not setup for fly sparging and don't really want to get into that just yet.
I hope to have at least a direction to move in before my next brew day (in 2-4 weeks)...
Just a side item, when I was using the BIAB method, I always mashed with 1.5-2.0qt/# of grain. Since going to the cooler, I've been using 1.25-1.5qt/# of grain. Should I try some batches in the 1.5-2.0qt/# mash ratio? Would that have a larger impact than grain crush size? Ultimately, I just want my efficiency to a decent level (IMO) so that I'm getting the most from my grains. If that means changing the crush size, and/or the mash to grain ratio, then I'll do it... Since I'm using a 70qt cooler, I could (probably) even go with a full volume mash and not sparge at all. IF that's going to be a benefit... I do think I'll get better results from the mash/sparge method...
Post up comments, ideas, things that could help me get closer to 75% (in the area of 80% would be great) efficiency levels... Also anyone that wants to give their settings for crush, water to grain ratios for the mash, etc. would be appreciated...
I have noticed that since going to the cooler mash tun, that my efficiency level has dropped a bit (less than a 10% reduction, going from 78-82% to ~72%)... I'm looking into why I'm getting the lower efficiency levels. One thought, I had, was perhaps it's the grain crush size the mill is set to. I'm using the default setting, from BC, of .039". Would I be better off going larger, or smaller than that? What direction do people tend to take on the crush size in order to see improved efficiency levels? I would like, if nothing else, to get about 75%
For reference, I'm using one of the bazooka screens inside the cooler mash tun, to filter the grain bed. I've not had any stuck sparges to date, so I'm pretty sure the crush size is at least good there. I'm also using the single infusion, no mash out model... I'm not setup for fly sparging and don't really want to get into that just yet.
I hope to have at least a direction to move in before my next brew day (in 2-4 weeks)...
Just a side item, when I was using the BIAB method, I always mashed with 1.5-2.0qt/# of grain. Since going to the cooler, I've been using 1.25-1.5qt/# of grain. Should I try some batches in the 1.5-2.0qt/# mash ratio? Would that have a larger impact than grain crush size? Ultimately, I just want my efficiency to a decent level (IMO) so that I'm getting the most from my grains. If that means changing the crush size, and/or the mash to grain ratio, then I'll do it... Since I'm using a 70qt cooler, I could (probably) even go with a full volume mash and not sparge at all. IF that's going to be a benefit... I do think I'll get better results from the mash/sparge method...
Post up comments, ideas, things that could help me get closer to 75% (in the area of 80% would be great) efficiency levels... Also anyone that wants to give their settings for crush, water to grain ratios for the mash, etc. would be appreciated...