Did my first batch yesterday, used this recipe for 5 gallons finished beer
http://www.brew365.com/beer_bells_oberon.php
Using a Coleman Extreme 52qt/Stainless braid. MLT.
Heated up 1.5qts/per pound of grain (4.3 gallons) to about 165 degrees. Preheated the MLT with about a half gallon of the strike water for about 2 min.
Mashed in while stirring, initial temp with a Taylor digital thermometer was 149, about 20 mins later, 148. Decided to add 1.5 qts of boiling water, which at that point my temp went down to 147. Drained 3.5 gallons of wort, then added 3.5 gallons of sparge@ 170 for 15 min. Drained, and had about 6.5 gallons pre boil, with 1.038 gravity.
Boiled 60 min, with a small boil over, cooled and Had 4.5 gallons to left with a gravity of 1.052. Efficiency came out to 58%. Things I know I did wrong:
1)Low mash temp, opening MLT too much and stirring
2)Did not calculate sparge water volume, just went with 3.5 gallons for some reason,
3)did not stir the sparge at all.
You guys see anything else obvious?
http://www.brew365.com/beer_bells_oberon.php
Using a Coleman Extreme 52qt/Stainless braid. MLT.
Heated up 1.5qts/per pound of grain (4.3 gallons) to about 165 degrees. Preheated the MLT with about a half gallon of the strike water for about 2 min.
Mashed in while stirring, initial temp with a Taylor digital thermometer was 149, about 20 mins later, 148. Decided to add 1.5 qts of boiling water, which at that point my temp went down to 147. Drained 3.5 gallons of wort, then added 3.5 gallons of sparge@ 170 for 15 min. Drained, and had about 6.5 gallons pre boil, with 1.038 gravity.
Boiled 60 min, with a small boil over, cooled and Had 4.5 gallons to left with a gravity of 1.052. Efficiency came out to 58%. Things I know I did wrong:
1)Low mash temp, opening MLT too much and stirring
2)Did not calculate sparge water volume, just went with 3.5 gallons for some reason,
3)did not stir the sparge at all.
You guys see anything else obvious?