All Grain Newb- Sparging and Final Product

[everty2007]

Hey Everyone,

I have brewed 3 all grain batches now and tried fly and batch sparging with mixed results. Fly sparging I ended up with a low OG and kind of watered down taste. I was thinking that it may be partially recipe, but any tips to help with fly sparging if anyone else has had this? On my batch sparging attempt I still had a lower OG than what Beer Tools estimated so had to add DME. I hope that I don't have to add DME to every batch to make up for my brewing techniques. So I thought I'd ask for thoughts...

Info: 5 gal batch, all were wheat beers, 10 lbs or a little over grain bill. I used about 3 gallons for mash and used 5 gallons for my sparge.

Any advice is appreciated, Cheers

 

[ChandlerBang]

Did you take gravity samples anywhere? Of the mash wort? Of the first sparge? Of the second sparge? That will tell you a lot. I assume you did a double batch sparge?

 

[ChandlerBang]

Also, I batch sparge so I'm not gonna be a lot of help on the fly part...

 

[everty2007]

Did you take gravity samples anywhere? Of the mash wort? Of the first sparge? Of the second sparge? That will tell you a lot. I assume you did a double batch sparge?

I took gravity readings after sparge or before my boil, Then again with 15 min in boil to see if change then added DME then again before transfer to carboy. I have bought a refractometer since my last batch so im hoping that may help. Because i was letting sample cool to 80 for testing OG so some lag. For my batch sparge I did about 2 1/2 gal x 2 for my batch sparge. I have a small HLT so cannot fit a full 5 in there right now. I am making good mini mash beers so I know that I have to work on my mash techniques and my recipes.

 

[ChandlerBang]

Wow, sounds like you take plenty of readings. Good deal. Did you adjust the efficiency in BTP til it have you the right OG? What was the mash efficiency?

 

[baptistbrewer]

I took gravity readings after sparge or before my boil, Then again with 15 min in boil to see if change then added DME then again before transfer to carboy. I have bought a refractometer since my last batch so im hoping that may help. Because i was letting sample cool to 80 for testing OG so some lag. For my batch sparge I did about 2 1/2 gal x 2 for my batch sparge. I have a small HLT so cannot fit a full 5 in there right now. I am making good mini mash beers so I know that I have to work on my mash techniques and my recipes.

You should also take some readings during lautering. I typically take around 4. One at the beginning, two in the middle and one final preboil reading.

Three main things. 1 how is your crush? 99% of efficiency issues have to do with that. 2 how are your temps (both sparge and mash)? 3. How fast are you mashing out? It takes me about 45ish min. to mash out 6.5 gallons of wort. I also fly sparge.

 

[everty2007]

You should also take some readings during lautering. I typically take around 4. One at the beginning, two in the middle and one final preboil reading.

Three main things. 1 how is your crush? 99% of efficiency issues have to do with that. 2 how are your temps (both sparge and mash)? 3. How fast are you mashing out? It takes me about 45ish min. to mash out 6.5 gallons of wort. I also fly sparge.

I've been playing with my crush, 1st was too much resulting in not much of a grain bed. 2nd I dont think I crushed enough and 3rd I think was ok, but batch sparged for first time and had about 7 gallons wort and finished with about 6 which was too much. I should have let it continue to boil down after reading and watching videos.

My temps were ok on first batch, second was a nightmare and the third went ok too. Tried to keep at 152 in my home depot mash tun. I have been reading more about step mashing and once I get the brew stand together I'm going to practice with temps and stuff. It's hard with the cooler method I think.

On my fly attempts it was about 30-45 min and my batch was add water and I let it sit for 30 min.

I'm reding, researching and watching any video I can find. I want to sign up for a class at Norther Brewer for all grain because that's how I best learn.

Thanks for all that comments and thoughts