A planned top up of the wort is not the norm for an all grain process. It is sometimes done but these are the exceptions rather than the rule. The reasons are usually corrective; ie the measured final gravity was a touch high and the brewer wanted to reduce. Or it can be planned due to equipment constraints where the full volume of a very big beer cannot be accommodated in one's boil kettle.
But no in summary a topping up of the wort is not the norm. Sounds like you have misunderstood some steps with regard to all grain brewing.
It would not be true to say that no one tops up but there are significant disadvantages to doing this. As I previously mentioned, that is what the Sparge will do. Increase the volume and extract more sugars.
There is a great video on Northern Brewers BrewTV with John Palmer doing a simple all grain brew utilizing a batch Sparge. I think you might benefit from watching this. I very straight forward demonstration of a very popular all-grain process.
Hydrometer reading for a starting gravity should be taken after all dilutions or additions (except the yeast) have been made. The wort needs to be thoroughly homogenous in order to get a sample that is representative.
I guess if you boiled 3.5 gallons down to 1 prior to adding 4 gallons of water and took the reading before the dilution that might account for the high gravity reading. Once you dilute though you no longer know the gravity. Another measure is needed if the figure is to be of use.
But no in summary a topping up of the wort is not the norm. Sounds like you have misunderstood some steps with regard to all grain brewing.
It would not be true to say that no one tops up but there are significant disadvantages to doing this. As I previously mentioned, that is what the Sparge will do. Increase the volume and extract more sugars.
There is a great video on Northern Brewers BrewTV with John Palmer doing a simple all grain brew utilizing a batch Sparge. I think you might benefit from watching this. I very straight forward demonstration of a very popular all-grain process.
Hydrometer reading for a starting gravity should be taken after all dilutions or additions (except the yeast) have been made. The wort needs to be thoroughly homogenous in order to get a sample that is representative.
I guess if you boiled 3.5 gallons down to 1 prior to adding 4 gallons of water and took the reading before the dilution that might account for the high gravity reading. Once you dilute though you no longer know the gravity. Another measure is needed if the figure is to be of use.