Yesterday I attempted a partial mash for the first time, I ended up missing my OG by a mile (target 1.067, actual 1.053). My calculated efficiency was ~30%. My method was not traditional and I am sure was the cause but I dot get exactly why.
I started by bringing 1.25 quarts per lb of water to a few degrees above mash temp. I then placed 4.5lbs of grain in a bag into the water - temp was low so I added a small amount of water to get temp to 154. I wrapped the pot in towels and put it in a large cooler, between this and the over 100degree ambient temperature I only lost 4 degrees in an hour. At an hour i lifted the bag and held until there were only a few drips leaving the bag, only gave it a slight squeeze. The resulting wort was sweet to the taste. I then put the bag into my brew kettle with nearly my full boil volume in the low 160s dunking it repeatedly and letting it sit for 10 minutes.
I the removed bag, put wort from mash into kettle and started boil as usual. I did NOT take a gravity reading at this time, rather only at the end post boil and after DME add.
what did I do wrong here, in my mind it seemed like a great idea and I was estatic to see the mash temp hold and the resulting wort be sweet but upset at the final gravity.
I started by bringing 1.25 quarts per lb of water to a few degrees above mash temp. I then placed 4.5lbs of grain in a bag into the water - temp was low so I added a small amount of water to get temp to 154. I wrapped the pot in towels and put it in a large cooler, between this and the over 100degree ambient temperature I only lost 4 degrees in an hour. At an hour i lifted the bag and held until there were only a few drips leaving the bag, only gave it a slight squeeze. The resulting wort was sweet to the taste. I then put the bag into my brew kettle with nearly my full boil volume in the low 160s dunking it repeatedly and letting it sit for 10 minutes.
I the removed bag, put wort from mash into kettle and started boil as usual. I did NOT take a gravity reading at this time, rather only at the end post boil and after DME add.
what did I do wrong here, in my mind it seemed like a great idea and I was estatic to see the mash temp hold and the resulting wort be sweet but upset at the final gravity.