Jablestein
Well-Known Member
Hey all,
So i'm completely new to all grain. I did my first batch last weekend with a friend of mine and while I think it went pretty well, I noticed that there was a LOT information to keep track of than my previous brewing attempts with LME and Specialty Grains. My buddy also suggested I check out BeerSmith in order to help me manage some of these calculations, but so far that's only helped magnify just how uneducated I am when it comes to the different calculations involved with brewing. I've comprised a list of questions that I'm hoping you all might be able to either help me with or at the very least point me in the right direction to find information.
(Also, as a note, I had initially thought of putting this post under the Beer Software forum since it sort of related to questions that came from checking out BeerSmith, but I really feel these are questions more about the actual All Grain process. If necessary though, I can move the thread there.)
So for starters, here's the basic equipment I'm working with right now...
15.5 Gallon Keggle Conversion Mash Tun w/ Bazooka Screen
5 Gallon Boil Pot
Bayou Classic Propane Burner
My initial process for my first AG brew was to heat 4 Gallons of water in the Mash Tun to roughly 160 degrees, and then add the grain (about 12lbs total for the recipe I was using). I let it mash for an hour before while boiling and additional 2 gallons of water at about 170 degrees (for a total of 6 to fight off any losses) that I then add to the mash tun before sparging. Then I sparge into my 5 Gallon Bucket 3 times before starting my boil as usual.
Again, most of these questions are basically right from looking at the Equipment Setup on BeerSmith 2 and not understanding what they relate to or how to estimate them. I did watch the official BeerSmith video on YouTube relating to Equipment Setup, but there are still some areas that I thought were a bit vague and wanted to get confirmation on.
Thank you all in advance for any tips or information you can provide. Again, I apologize if this thread is completely out of place or filled with seemingly ignorant questions. I just wanted to make sure I completely understand everything that goes into this stuff so I'm not just reading off a set of instructions without learning anything. Also, if you have tips or suggestions relating to my process all together, those are very much welcome too!
So i'm completely new to all grain. I did my first batch last weekend with a friend of mine and while I think it went pretty well, I noticed that there was a LOT information to keep track of than my previous brewing attempts with LME and Specialty Grains. My buddy also suggested I check out BeerSmith in order to help me manage some of these calculations, but so far that's only helped magnify just how uneducated I am when it comes to the different calculations involved with brewing. I've comprised a list of questions that I'm hoping you all might be able to either help me with or at the very least point me in the right direction to find information.
(Also, as a note, I had initially thought of putting this post under the Beer Software forum since it sort of related to questions that came from checking out BeerSmith, but I really feel these are questions more about the actual All Grain process. If necessary though, I can move the thread there.)
So for starters, here's the basic equipment I'm working with right now...
15.5 Gallon Keggle Conversion Mash Tun w/ Bazooka Screen
5 Gallon Boil Pot
Bayou Classic Propane Burner
My initial process for my first AG brew was to heat 4 Gallons of water in the Mash Tun to roughly 160 degrees, and then add the grain (about 12lbs total for the recipe I was using). I let it mash for an hour before while boiling and additional 2 gallons of water at about 170 degrees (for a total of 6 to fight off any losses) that I then add to the mash tun before sparging. Then I sparge into my 5 Gallon Bucket 3 times before starting my boil as usual.
Again, most of these questions are basically right from looking at the Equipment Setup on BeerSmith 2 and not understanding what they relate to or how to estimate them. I did watch the official BeerSmith video on YouTube relating to Equipment Setup, but there are still some areas that I thought were a bit vague and wanted to get confirmation on.
- Brewhouse Efficiency - From my understanding this is somehow related to the mashing process and the OG that brewers are able to achieve, giving them an idea of how efficiently they were able to extract fermentables from the grain. Please correct me if that's totally off. This is set to a default of 72% in BeerSmith. I'm not sure under what circumstances I'd actually change it.
- Hope Utilzation Factor - Set to 100% by default and the video says this isn't really anything I need to worry about unless batches go well over the size I'm brewing. If anyone would like to speak on this though, the information is welcome.
- Mash Tun Volume - Seems straightforward, my Mash Tun holds 15.5 Gallons. I just wanted to make sure this is in reference to it's capable volume and not the target volume of the brew itself since I'm currently only doing 5 gallon batches.
- Mash Tun Weight - Not sure just yet. I can throw it on the scale pretty easily, but I'm more curious exactly what this has to do with anything.
- Mash Tun Specific Heat - It's a Keggle conversion so I'm going with the 0.12 Stainless Steel guideline given by BeerSmith.
- Lauter Tun Deadspace - I believe this is more in reference to people using a false bottom. I'm using a Bazooka Screen, so I'm guessing I don't have as much loss as someone with a false bottom, but i'm a little unsure what to estimate this at. I generally tip the mash tun at the end anyway in an attempt to make sure I get as much out as possible.
- Top Up Water for Kettle - Completely uncertain of what this is referring to. I thought it might relate to the extra 2 gallons I add to the mash before sparging but not exactly sure. Any clarification here is appreciated.
- Boil Volume - Is this something I should be setting manually or something that should be set for me based on other calculations? I understand that it's the volume of water at the start of the boil, but it seems that will be heavily skewed based on other steps in the process such as mashing and losses associated there.
- Boil Time - Simple and straightforward. I've always done 60 minute boils. Not even sure under what circumstances I'd go more than 60 minutes at this point. I assume this is based on beer styles and recipes?
- Boil Off - Again, not entirely sure how I should be calculating this myself. The video I watched mentioned a boil off of about 1 gal, (roughly 15% an hour). I'm not sure if that's a good estimate or really what all goes into determining that value. Also not entirely sure how this might be affected by things like altitude since I live in Colorado.
- Cooling Shrinkage - Video says 4%. Completely left this alone for the time being as I'm unsure of what it relates to. I assume something to do with the chilling process?
- Loss to Trub and Chiller - I totally understand where the loss comes from but as with most of these numbers, i'm a little unsure of how to calculate this. Default was set to 0.75 gallons so i've left it as so for now.
- Top Up Water - This is a little more clear to me than the Top Up Water for Kettle, but i'm a little uncertain as to whether or not this is something I should even be doing since I'm brewing All Grain.
- Batch Volume - I assume this relates to the target volume of beer you aim to have by the time you go into primary fermentation.
- Fermenter Loss - Another one that I actually understand where it comes from but am a little unsure of how to accomodate for this.
- Also, on a random note...I'm curious if given my process I'm actually doing Partial Mash Brewing or not? Seems like that would be helpful to know when discussing these matters with other brewers.
Thank you all in advance for any tips or information you can provide. Again, I apologize if this thread is completely out of place or filled with seemingly ignorant questions. I just wanted to make sure I completely understand everything that goes into this stuff so I'm not just reading off a set of instructions without learning anything. Also, if you have tips or suggestions relating to my process all together, those are very much welcome too!