So I upgraded my mash tun recently to a bigger cooler and a stainless braid/ball valve contraption. I have since made 4 batches, and I have gotten very high efficiency numbers for them:
1. 16.75 lbs of grain, preboil gravity = 1.043 in 13.75 gallons, ~95% efficiency.
2. 10.5 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.044 in 7.5 gal, ~87%
3. 10.25 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.040 in 8.5 gal, ~90%
4. 16.5 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.044 in 13.75 gal, ~95%
(I used this calculator to get the numbers: Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator | Brewer's Friend)
*I am 100% sure of the volumes, and the gravity readings were taken at 60*F.
At first, I was like "Sweet! This new cooler works great!" Then I read a thread a few days ago about high efficiencies and now I'm like "OH NO TANNINS!!"
I should also mention that I fly sparge. Also, batches 1 and 4 above were the same recipes (Centennial Blonde FTW!). None of these beers came out poorly - in fact, the first three taste great, and the 4th was fine at bottling.
So I guess my questions are:
1. Is it bad that I'm getting gravities like these?
2. How much should I worry about tannins?
3. If I run the wort out of the tun faster, I will reduce my efficiency, right? Should I do this?
4. If my late runnings are below 1.010 and I don't have my desired volume yet (or if the gravity is too high), would it be better to top off with straight water?
Mind you, I'm not going out of my way to get high extraction rates, it's kindof just happening.
Thanks in advance, guys!
-Drew
1. 16.75 lbs of grain, preboil gravity = 1.043 in 13.75 gallons, ~95% efficiency.
2. 10.5 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.044 in 7.5 gal, ~87%
3. 10.25 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.040 in 8.5 gal, ~90%
4. 16.5 lbs grain, PBOG = 1.044 in 13.75 gal, ~95%
(I used this calculator to get the numbers: Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator | Brewer's Friend)
*I am 100% sure of the volumes, and the gravity readings were taken at 60*F.
At first, I was like "Sweet! This new cooler works great!" Then I read a thread a few days ago about high efficiencies and now I'm like "OH NO TANNINS!!"
I should also mention that I fly sparge. Also, batches 1 and 4 above were the same recipes (Centennial Blonde FTW!). None of these beers came out poorly - in fact, the first three taste great, and the 4th was fine at bottling.
So I guess my questions are:
1. Is it bad that I'm getting gravities like these?
2. How much should I worry about tannins?
3. If I run the wort out of the tun faster, I will reduce my efficiency, right? Should I do this?
4. If my late runnings are below 1.010 and I don't have my desired volume yet (or if the gravity is too high), would it be better to top off with straight water?
Mind you, I'm not going out of my way to get high extraction rates, it's kindof just happening.
Thanks in advance, guys!
-Drew