I made a pilsner on the 14th, and had what I thought was unexpected pre-boil readings. I was under the impression that conversion is generally very quick. This is my first time taking gravities throughout the course of a mash and it surprised me that the gravity was changing all the way up through the third 30 minute interval. Could this be due to the high pH? Maybe this is normal and I read too much into other experiments. Thoughts?
Methodology:
Brew in a bag with a full-volume mash (~9gal), covered and insulated
Fine crush
90 minute mash. Timer set to 15 minute increments to stir the mash
Mash temp @ 147 F, checked with dial gauge after stirring
Temps dipped to just under 146 F at times, brought back up using direct heat, low flame, and stirred constantly, usually brought to 148 F
Samples taken at 30, 60 and 90 minutes +/- 3 minutes after stirring, then pulling the bag away from the bulkhead to facilitate flow.
Samples cooled using large stainless bowl at ambient temperature, then decanted to glass
Data (BF calculator corrected gravities in parenthesis):
30 min: 1.032 @ 84F (1.034)
60 min: 1.035 @ 89F (1.037)
90 min: 1.040@ 78.5F (1.041)
pH was 6.10 using a calibrated (4pH and 7pH) ATC probe.
Methodology:
Brew in a bag with a full-volume mash (~9gal), covered and insulated
Fine crush
90 minute mash. Timer set to 15 minute increments to stir the mash
Mash temp @ 147 F, checked with dial gauge after stirring
Temps dipped to just under 146 F at times, brought back up using direct heat, low flame, and stirred constantly, usually brought to 148 F
Samples taken at 30, 60 and 90 minutes +/- 3 minutes after stirring, then pulling the bag away from the bulkhead to facilitate flow.
Samples cooled using large stainless bowl at ambient temperature, then decanted to glass
Data (BF calculator corrected gravities in parenthesis):
30 min: 1.032 @ 84F (1.034)
60 min: 1.035 @ 89F (1.037)
90 min: 1.040@ 78.5F (1.041)
pH was 6.10 using a calibrated (4pH and 7pH) ATC probe.
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