Checking Brewfather recommendations

[kohalajohn]

Good morning all,

Today I will be brewing with Brewfather for first time.

I'd like to see if others can view a Brewfather profile from the link

In particular, I'd like comments on the ratio of strike water to sparge water. It's 15 liters to 10 liters, which seems like a lot to me.

https://web.brewfather.app/tabs/recipes/recipe/DGgfAKFV6GQI0HzjVu8X1sz74gAR1l

 

[quantumguy]

wouldn't open for me - spun for a while and then just brought me to my own recipes

Note: the sparge water volume is dictated by your batch size and the strike volume is set by your mash thickness setting. Both are set in your equipment profile

 

[Willy]

Take very good notes on your first several attempts using the BrewFather. It is only as good as your ability to provide accurate feedback and tweak the benchmarks to dial in your brewhouse efficiency and your mash efficiency. (Usually between 67% - 80%, mine are 74% and 75% for most recipes using a Brewzilla doing a 6 g batch (target fermenter).

After you measure your OG - see how it lines up with what u expected. Then tweak the efficiency numbers so expected # and real # match up.

Brew another batch and repeat until you have it nailed down and know what to expect and how to achieve those results.

Best of luck. Takes several batches and good notes.

 

[Brockness Monster]

You might need to click the lock icon at the top of the recipe page to take it off private. The link took me to my own page as well.

 

[kohalajohn]

Does this work?

https://web.brewfather.app/tabs/recipes/recipe/DGgfAKFV6GQI0HzjVu8X1sz74gAR1l

 

[kohalajohn]

wouldn't open for me - spun for a while and then just brought me to my own recipes

Note: the sparge water volume is dictated by your batch size and the strike volume is set by your mash thickness setting. Both are set in your equipment profile

Oh, that's interesting. So the program is noting that I am using a brewzilla g4 35 and is setting strike volume from that. Which means I should probably just accept that

 

[schmurf]

Not working for me. When you're in the recipe, do you click the dots and choose Share? That will give you an url to paste to share.

 

[Willy]

Oh, that's interesting. So the program is noting that I am using a brewzilla g4 35 and is setting strike volume from that. Which means I should probably just accept that

Yes ... But test and tweak. Zero it in for you and what is happening in real life.

 

[doug293cz]

Note: the sparge water volume is dictated by your batch size and the strike volume is set by your mash thickness setting. Both are set in your equipment profile

This is true for fly sparging, but for batch sparging you want equal run-off volumes for the initial mash and the sparge for maximum lauter efficiency. Because the initial run-off volume is affected by grain absorption, but the sparge run-off is not, you need more strike water than sparge water to get equal run-off volumes.

When batch sparging, or no-sparging, mash thickness is not even a consideration when calculating volumes (unless you are making a very large beer, where you need to use extra strike water to get a stirrable mash.)

Brew on

 

[Bobby_M]

Click on Share... upper right corner of the recipe

Copy link..

 

[kevin58]

Oh, that's interesting. So the program is noting that I am using a brewzilla g4 35 and is setting strike volume from that. Which means I should probably just accept that

I don't think you should ever simply accept the settings from any recipe software. Especially when it comes to equipment profiles. Those profiles were sent in by users and while they probably work fantastic for those users - your method and process of using that same equipment will almost always result in different outcomes. I suggest you always perform the volume weights and measurements yourself to create a custom profile that fits you and your system.

 

[kohalajohn]

I don't think you should ever simply accept the settings from any recipe software. Especially when it comes to equipment profiles. Those profiles were sent in by users and while they probably work fantastic for those users - your method and process of using that same equipment will almost always result in different outcomes. I suggest you always perform the volume weights and measurements yourself to create a custom profile that fits you and your system.

Kevin,

Yes, yesterday I learned that is correct. I had a feeling that the software had me using too much water. And sure enough I ended up with a batch size much larger than planned for. And the low OG that goes with that.

 

[SFC Rudy]

I tried using brewing software but wasn’t thrilled with the results.

I put John Palmers math into an excel spreadsheet, and still had to tweak to match the numbers and volumes I get from my system. Like what @kevin58 you can’t blindly accept the results.

 

[Bobby_M]

I tried using brewing software but wasn’t thrilled with the results.

Like any other complex tool, you have to spend time with it to learn what inputs it expects of you.

 

[Bobby_M]

Kevin,

Yes, yesterday I learned that is correct. I had a feeling that the software had me using too much water. And sure enough I ended up with a batch size much larger than planned for. And the low OG that goes with that.

The profiles also have built into them kettle trub loss, which is often more of a brewer's decision rather than constrained by the hardware itself. Sure, in some cases a boiler design might make it impossible to drain a certain amount out but usually trub loss is the volume the brewer DECIDES to leave behind and not put into the fermenter. It's also basing the strike water volume on an assumed boil off rate which is also somewhat variable based on brewer's decisions. You have the 240v unit so it's conceivable that once you reach a boil you dial down the power a bit. How much exactly. Finally, less impactful but a variable nonetheless is your elevation and the ambient humidity. Those affects boil off rate as well.

It is best to start with the known profile and brew a batch with all the exact inputs as listed.

THEN when you actually brew the batch you meticulously measure things as you go and input them into the batch parameters fields.
THEN it tells you where you varied from the plan.
THEN you go into your profile and tweak the settings to nudge those variations closer to zero for the next batch. Rinse and repeat.

By the 3rd batch, you'll be fully dialed in.

 

[kevin58]

The profiles also have built into them kettle trub loss, which is often more of a brewer's decision rather than constrained by the hardware itself. Sure, in some cases a boiler design might make it impossible to drain a certain amount out but usually trub loss is the volume the brewer DECIDES to leave behind and not put into the fermenter. It's also basing the strike water volume on an assumed boil off rate which is also somewhat variable based on brewer's decisions. You have the 240v unit so it's conceivable that once you reach a boil you dial down the power a bit. How much exactly. Finally, less impactful but a variable nonetheless is your elevation and the ambient humidity. Those affects boil off rate as well.

It is best to start with the known profile and brew a batch with all the exact inputs as listed.

THEN when you actually brew the batch you meticulously measure things as you go and input them into the batch parameters fields.
THEN it tells you where you varied from the plan.
THEN you go into your profile and tweak the settings to nudge those variations closer to zero for the next batch. Rinse and repeat.

By the 3rd batch, you'll be fully dialed in.

Don't forget hoses. Unless you disconnect and drain your hoses that volume would also contribute to losses.

 

[kevin58]

For anyone wishing to create a custom equipment profile whether it be in Beersmith or another piece of software this tutorial is one that I have used more than once.