I am in need of help with my efficiency. I've read previous threads, took the advice, but am still having nightmare-ish efficiency problems. So far, I have done 2 all grain batches after a dozen or so extract brews.
My equipment:
I have a five gallon circular cooler from Home Depot that I converted into a mash tun with a stainless steel braided hose.
The recipe:
3.5 lbs. 2-row
0.5 lbs. crystal 20L
0.75 lbs. vienna
0.25 lbs. cara-pils
My process:
Heat the water to the temperature indicated by BeerSmith (at 1.25qts/lb). My last batch, for example, was a two gallon batch that I mashed at 152 F. The strike water temp was 165F.
I poured in the water, let it sit for a few minutes to warm up the cooler, and then added the grains. I stirred, confirmed it was at the correct mash temp, and sealed. I mashed for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
After 60 minutes, I stirred again, and drained (collecting first few pints and recirculating). The gravity of the first runnings was 1.060.
I then added the batch sparge water (168F), stirred again, and again collected the first few pints and recirculated. Then I drained. The pre-boil gravity of the whole batch was 1.032.
The expected OG after boiling was 1.065. I ended up with 1.040. BeerSmith calculated my efficiency at 48%.
The only thing I can think of is the grain crush at my LHBS is not good. But I inspected the grains and everything seemed to be properly crushed (but what do I know).
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!
My equipment:
I have a five gallon circular cooler from Home Depot that I converted into a mash tun with a stainless steel braided hose.
The recipe:
3.5 lbs. 2-row
0.5 lbs. crystal 20L
0.75 lbs. vienna
0.25 lbs. cara-pils
My process:
Heat the water to the temperature indicated by BeerSmith (at 1.25qts/lb). My last batch, for example, was a two gallon batch that I mashed at 152 F. The strike water temp was 165F.
I poured in the water, let it sit for a few minutes to warm up the cooler, and then added the grains. I stirred, confirmed it was at the correct mash temp, and sealed. I mashed for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
After 60 minutes, I stirred again, and drained (collecting first few pints and recirculating). The gravity of the first runnings was 1.060.
I then added the batch sparge water (168F), stirred again, and again collected the first few pints and recirculated. Then I drained. The pre-boil gravity of the whole batch was 1.032.
The expected OG after boiling was 1.065. I ended up with 1.040. BeerSmith calculated my efficiency at 48%.
The only thing I can think of is the grain crush at my LHBS is not good. But I inspected the grains and everything seemed to be properly crushed (but what do I know).
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!