I brewed an imperial IPA yesterday, this was the grain bill for a 5.5 gallon batch:
14 lb 2 row
0.75 lb Vienna
0.5 lb Crystal 40L
0.5 lb Carapils/Dextrine
0.5 lb corn sugar
Target OG = 1.079
I'm using this setup:
I ended up getting an OG of 1.056 for 5.25 gallons, which is 47.6% efficiency. I tossed in the other 0.5 lb corn sugar I had to raise the OG to 1.062.
Not sure what the source of the low efficiency is...my thermometer temp was jumping all over the place, I'm worried I mashed and/or sparged at too high a temp. I've only done two other AG batches (target OG's of 1.065 and 1.042), but they were 68% and 70% efficient - not bad. Not exactly sure why this one was so much worse.
In any case, two questions:
1. Will this be drinkable? Can I boil some DME and add it to bring the gravity up to the target, or am I better off just letting it sit as is?
2. Is there a better setup than the braided SS cord that I could use? It has the drain in the middle of the cooler, not on the edge. It looks like the cord has been damaged in spots from stirring as well.
My process, for the record...might have screwed it up, it's been a while since I've done an AG batch:
-Heat 5 gallons water to ~180 degrees, add to cooler, close lid for ~5 minutes.
-Add the grain. Stir will continuously until I hit target temp of 151 (took like 10 minutes...also not sure temp was super accurate). Close lid. Let sit for 70 minutes.
-Vorlauf and drain into kettle. I collected 2.75 gallons.
-Add 2 gallons 175 degree water to grain. Stir, vorlauf and drain. Add another 2 gallons. Stir, vorlauf and drain. Total pre-boil volume: 6.5 gallons
14 lb 2 row
0.75 lb Vienna
0.5 lb Crystal 40L
0.5 lb Carapils/Dextrine
0.5 lb corn sugar
Target OG = 1.079
I'm using this setup:
I ended up getting an OG of 1.056 for 5.25 gallons, which is 47.6% efficiency. I tossed in the other 0.5 lb corn sugar I had to raise the OG to 1.062.
Not sure what the source of the low efficiency is...my thermometer temp was jumping all over the place, I'm worried I mashed and/or sparged at too high a temp. I've only done two other AG batches (target OG's of 1.065 and 1.042), but they were 68% and 70% efficient - not bad. Not exactly sure why this one was so much worse.
In any case, two questions:
1. Will this be drinkable? Can I boil some DME and add it to bring the gravity up to the target, or am I better off just letting it sit as is?
2. Is there a better setup than the braided SS cord that I could use? It has the drain in the middle of the cooler, not on the edge. It looks like the cord has been damaged in spots from stirring as well.
My process, for the record...might have screwed it up, it's been a while since I've done an AG batch:
-Heat 5 gallons water to ~180 degrees, add to cooler, close lid for ~5 minutes.
-Add the grain. Stir will continuously until I hit target temp of 151 (took like 10 minutes...also not sure temp was super accurate). Close lid. Let sit for 70 minutes.
-Vorlauf and drain into kettle. I collected 2.75 gallons.
-Add 2 gallons 175 degree water to grain. Stir, vorlauf and drain. Add another 2 gallons. Stir, vorlauf and drain. Total pre-boil volume: 6.5 gallons