I recently switched to all grain and haven't had great brewhouse efficiency, three batches all around 65%. Here's what equipment I use:
8 gallon kettle with false bottom and spigot
8 gallon kettle for boil
5 gallon kettle for heating sparge water
I batch sparge and each of the three batches I mashed at 152 with 1.25 quarts of water per pound of grains (the last batch I used 1.5 gallons per pound for strike water). The first batch I mashed for 60 minutes, the second 75 and this last batch 90 minutes. Even with towels covering the mash kettle I lost about 5-7 degrees after the 90 minute mash. I then sparged twice with water at 170 degrees. I stirred like crazy for a few minutes before the mash and after each sparge. My boil water quantity was good and I ended up with the water volume I wanted post boil in the fermentation bucket. I've thought about doing a mash out but I've read that it's not necessary when batch sparging. I know people are going to write about the crush. I've gone to different stores and get the same results. I'm guessing that it's not the crush and something with my system. Any suggestions on how to improve my efficiency is greatly appreciated!
8 gallon kettle with false bottom and spigot
8 gallon kettle for boil
5 gallon kettle for heating sparge water
I batch sparge and each of the three batches I mashed at 152 with 1.25 quarts of water per pound of grains (the last batch I used 1.5 gallons per pound for strike water). The first batch I mashed for 60 minutes, the second 75 and this last batch 90 minutes. Even with towels covering the mash kettle I lost about 5-7 degrees after the 90 minute mash. I then sparged twice with water at 170 degrees. I stirred like crazy for a few minutes before the mash and after each sparge. My boil water quantity was good and I ended up with the water volume I wanted post boil in the fermentation bucket. I've thought about doing a mash out but I've read that it's not necessary when batch sparging. I know people are going to write about the crush. I've gone to different stores and get the same results. I'm guessing that it's not the crush and something with my system. Any suggestions on how to improve my efficiency is greatly appreciated!