ark1ebs
Member
Yesterday I brewed an american brown ale with 12.4 lbs of grain. I mashed in with 18 quarts of water at 154F and fly sparged with 17 quarts of water at 170F.
The last couple of brews have come home at around 78% efficiency.
Yesterday's OG reading was 1.054 (should've been 1.066) for 61% efficiency. DANGIT!!!
There are two variables that I can identify:
1. I mashed thinner than I usually do. I typically go 1.25 qts/lb but went 1.5 qts/lb for this brew.
2. My grain bed got dry when I walked away for a few minutes. I thought I had my flow rate nailed, walked away for 10 minutes, and came back to find the bed dry and the little plastic tupperware lid I float on top to disperse my sparge water slightly pressed down into the grain. There was still wort flowing. I opened up my HLT valve and got the water level back to 1-1 1/2" above the grain. I monitored the flow rate and kept it in check the rest of the way.
I think it was #2 that got me. From what I have read, a thinner mash should give you better efficiency if anything. And I think the dry bed compacted the grains throughout the mash tun, keeping me from rinsing all the sugars in there.
What do you guys think?
The last couple of brews have come home at around 78% efficiency.
Yesterday's OG reading was 1.054 (should've been 1.066) for 61% efficiency. DANGIT!!!
There are two variables that I can identify:
1. I mashed thinner than I usually do. I typically go 1.25 qts/lb but went 1.5 qts/lb for this brew.
2. My grain bed got dry when I walked away for a few minutes. I thought I had my flow rate nailed, walked away for 10 minutes, and came back to find the bed dry and the little plastic tupperware lid I float on top to disperse my sparge water slightly pressed down into the grain. There was still wort flowing. I opened up my HLT valve and got the water level back to 1-1 1/2" above the grain. I monitored the flow rate and kept it in check the rest of the way.
I think it was #2 that got me. From what I have read, a thinner mash should give you better efficiency if anything. And I think the dry bed compacted the grains throughout the mash tun, keeping me from rinsing all the sugars in there.
What do you guys think?