Decided to try my hand at an AG batch yesterday, and as expected many surprises along the way. Spent a lot of time on reading, research, and planning leading up to the big day, but alas that only gets you so far.
I'll try to keep my thoughts in order and elaborate as best as I can while referring to my notes. I'm just looking for as many tips and suggestions as I can get out of this learning tool from all you experienced AGers.
Quick background information: I used Brewers Friend for all of my calculations when it came to water temps/amounts (and I live at sea level). I built my MLT out of a 52 qt. igloo cooler w/ SS braided hose. Used floating thermometer in MLT and needle thermometer in HLT.
With a grain bill of 10.25 lbs. (90% 2 row, 10% C75) sitting at a temp of 61 F, first infusion 30 minutes at 122 F; I heated 12.8 quarts of water to a strike temp of 132 F. I stirred in and temp measured high at 130 F so I added 5 cubes and left the lid open and it took a while to settle at 124 F. First infusion was almost done at that point so I just left it alone.
Next infusion required me to raise the mash to 151 F for 90 minutes. BF calc told me to add 7.1 qt. of boiling water. Mixed it in and took a temp and read 144 F at first. Had more hot water in tea kettle so added a bunch of it and took another temp still reading low. Kept adding more boiling water and finally just settled with the 148 F reading that I was getting. At this point I had no idea how much more water had been added but I was supposed to be at about 1.95 qt per pound but mash was a lot thinner than that.
Opening my plastic inline valve just a little bit seamed to infuse air into the line, so I just opened it all the way and vorlauf was clear after a qt. First wort running's collected quickly and ended up with 4.25 gallons. Wanted 7.75 preboil, so for the sparge I added in what I was missing: 3.5 gals. at 170 F. Took a temp reading and to my surprise it read 144 F. At this point I was over it. I let it sit for 15 minutes and collected the rest. Preboil refract reading 9 brix (1.036).
After hot break I timed for a 90 minute boil. Once cooled I had 5.5 gallons at 11.5 brix (1.046). So brew house efficiency calculated at 67%. Was shooting for an OG of 1.050 at estimated 70% eff
Final thoughts:
Thermometer problems? Are floating thermometers really slow to show actual temps? Strike temps off? I calibrated my needle thermometer using my starter alcohol based thermometer but later checked them against each other again and the needle thermometer was well off. Too much water in the mash? Also, I feel like my cooler would just dissipate heat and didn't want to get above 148 no matter what I did.
If you made it all the way through this post, thank you for taking the time to read it and for all your help!
I'll try to keep my thoughts in order and elaborate as best as I can while referring to my notes. I'm just looking for as many tips and suggestions as I can get out of this learning tool from all you experienced AGers.
Quick background information: I used Brewers Friend for all of my calculations when it came to water temps/amounts (and I live at sea level). I built my MLT out of a 52 qt. igloo cooler w/ SS braided hose. Used floating thermometer in MLT and needle thermometer in HLT.
With a grain bill of 10.25 lbs. (90% 2 row, 10% C75) sitting at a temp of 61 F, first infusion 30 minutes at 122 F; I heated 12.8 quarts of water to a strike temp of 132 F. I stirred in and temp measured high at 130 F so I added 5 cubes and left the lid open and it took a while to settle at 124 F. First infusion was almost done at that point so I just left it alone.
Next infusion required me to raise the mash to 151 F for 90 minutes. BF calc told me to add 7.1 qt. of boiling water. Mixed it in and took a temp and read 144 F at first. Had more hot water in tea kettle so added a bunch of it and took another temp still reading low. Kept adding more boiling water and finally just settled with the 148 F reading that I was getting. At this point I had no idea how much more water had been added but I was supposed to be at about 1.95 qt per pound but mash was a lot thinner than that.
Opening my plastic inline valve just a little bit seamed to infuse air into the line, so I just opened it all the way and vorlauf was clear after a qt. First wort running's collected quickly and ended up with 4.25 gallons. Wanted 7.75 preboil, so for the sparge I added in what I was missing: 3.5 gals. at 170 F. Took a temp reading and to my surprise it read 144 F. At this point I was over it. I let it sit for 15 minutes and collected the rest. Preboil refract reading 9 brix (1.036).
After hot break I timed for a 90 minute boil. Once cooled I had 5.5 gallons at 11.5 brix (1.046). So brew house efficiency calculated at 67%. Was shooting for an OG of 1.050 at estimated 70% eff
Final thoughts:
Thermometer problems? Are floating thermometers really slow to show actual temps? Strike temps off? I calibrated my needle thermometer using my starter alcohol based thermometer but later checked them against each other again and the needle thermometer was well off. Too much water in the mash? Also, I feel like my cooler would just dissipate heat and didn't want to get above 148 no matter what I did.
If you made it all the way through this post, thank you for taking the time to read it and for all your help!
