So I completed my first all grain batch last night. I'd say overall being my first time, it went well. I measured very low gravity (30) when I should have had 42, but that may be due to an error in my measuring method. Im not real concerned with the final abv.
The real question I have concerns mashing/sparging volumes.
This is the recipe I brewed (no variations):
http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/PM-SpeckledHeifer.pdf
I used the BrewPal Iphone app to calculate my mash. I thought it was a pretty slick tool. It calculated my mash like this:
Strike water: 2.7gals @166F (60min)
Sparge: 5.0gal @170 (10min)
The recipe uses 8.5lbs of grain, any my starting temp was 65F. Im using a rectangular rubbermaid 48qt cooler and cpvc manifold. Both my boil volume and final volume were right on. I have 5.0gals fermenting now.
This evening I downloaded Beer smith, and entered the exact same recipe.
Its mash calculation is this (single infusion, medium body)
12.5 qts = 3.125gal @ 163F (60min)
7qts =1.75 gal @ 206F (10min)
So why such a drastic variation in Mash & sparge volumes? Or am I doing something wrong?
The real question I have concerns mashing/sparging volumes.
This is the recipe I brewed (no variations):
http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/PM-SpeckledHeifer.pdf
I used the BrewPal Iphone app to calculate my mash. I thought it was a pretty slick tool. It calculated my mash like this:
Strike water: 2.7gals @166F (60min)
Sparge: 5.0gal @170 (10min)
The recipe uses 8.5lbs of grain, any my starting temp was 65F. Im using a rectangular rubbermaid 48qt cooler and cpvc manifold. Both my boil volume and final volume were right on. I have 5.0gals fermenting now.
This evening I downloaded Beer smith, and entered the exact same recipe.
Its mash calculation is this (single infusion, medium body)
12.5 qts = 3.125gal @ 163F (60min)
7qts =1.75 gal @ 206F (10min)
So why such a drastic variation in Mash & sparge volumes? Or am I doing something wrong?