First All grain

So, first all-grain batch finished. I think it went pretty well overall but...

1. I fell short of volume. I used about 11 gallons of water w/ a 13.5 lb grain bill. My guess is that I have more equipment loss than I allowed for. So I will bump up my allowance there for the next one.

2. I couldn't get below 77 deg w during chilling with my pump, counterflow chiller. I had to put the primary in the fridge to finish cooling. I used a water recirc pump w/ my old immersion chiller in an ice bath to keep the cooling water as cold as possible, but no joy.

I would love to have any insights into this all grain process that the more experienced folks might have.

thanks

J

I finished my first all brain today also. Oddly ihad the same issues. I hit my target OG but my volume was way off. I think I didn't have my system calibrated to my software. I think I missed my dead space exploration and boil off rates. Did you bit your target gravity?

I actually ended up just a tad over expected gravity...hmmmm I suppose I could have topped up my fermenter. I am really most concerned about the chilling efficiency. I ran the system a long time and just couldn't get under 77. I am thinking a restricted orifice in the discharge from the cooling water return to ensure good heat transfer...

Also, just pitched the yeast and the yeast vile basically exploded when I opened it. That was interesting.

trekbiker1500 said:

1. I fell short of volume. I used about 11 gallons of water w/ a 13.5 lb grain bill. My guess is that I have more equipment loss than I allowed for.

J

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That's a lot of water! If you're brewing a 5 gallon batch and you started with that much water and fell short in the end then you are losing way to much to your equipment IMHO!

I wouldn't doubt I need to tighten up the equipment loss. I started the boil with approx 7 gals (assuming that the sight glass was accurate).

was hoping for 5.5 in the fermenter and ended up with 4.5.

trekbiker1500 said:

I wouldn't doubt I need to tighten up the equipment loss. I started the boil with approx 7 gals (assuming that the sight glass was accurate).

was hoping for 5.5 in the fermenter and ended up with 4.5.

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That doesn't sound right. You might want to double check that sight glass.

I think I will recal the SG tomorrow. All is well this evening. My raging ***** clone is tasty.