Consistently 20 points low........

[SpeedYellow]

Also, see this sticky. It addresses your issues very thoroughly.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/maximizing-efficiency-when-batch-sparging-77125/

 

[Wayne1]

Ok, I'll try that. I normally just put the hydrometer in the kettle after I'm done sparging.

Yes, that does explain why you are 20 points off.

Hydrometers are calibrated to read at 60F. If you are reading 1.040 at 158F in your kettle after sparging, the reading at 60F should be 1.060. There is your missing 20 points.

Please read the instructions that came with your hydrometer. They will only show you the correct gravity at one temperature.

BeerSmith does have a hydrometer correction app, but it is always best to cool the sample to the temperature the hydrometer is calibrated to. The temperature it is calibrated to is listed on the piece of paper inside the hydrometer.

 

[OofC_Zer0]

I'm talking OG is low, I usually don't pay any attention to my pre boil gravity. I check it sometimes but it's always off (because it's hot).

 

[louie0202]

This will sound mean, but I know I get 62% efficiency.....I guess I could trouble shoot my efficiency....but I usually just recalculate my recipes based on 62 - 65% efficiency.....and since I am consistently bad at efficiency, it works quite well.

 

[duboman]

This will sound mean, but I know I get 62% efficiency.....I guess I could trouble shoot my efficiency....but I usually just recalculate my recipes based on 62 - 65% efficiency.....and since I am consistently bad at efficiency, it works quite well.

It's not mean, the important thing is to be consistent regardless of the percentage.

 

[dtow2]

I'm talking OG is low, I usually don't pay any attention to my pre boil gravity. I check it sometimes but it's always off (because it's hot).

You really should check that preboil s.g.
I use beer smith to adj. my temp difference. I don't know the formula, but im sure someone with more experience on here could help. If you know your pre boil specific gravity is low you would be able to add some dry malt to bring it up or you could fire harder to evaporate more of the water

 

[billl]

"This will sound mean, but I know I get 62% efficiency.....I guess I could trouble shoot my efficiency....but I usually just recalculate my recipes based on 62 - 65% efficiency.....and since I am consistently bad at efficiency, it works quite well."

A great example of there being more than 1 way to make great beer.

Personally, I think the steps to take to get from 60ish to 70+% are pretty minimal. eg tweaking some temps, ratios etc. That seems worth it to me, but it might not be for everyone.

 

[Qhrumphf]

You really should check that preboil s.g.
I use beer smith to adj. my temp difference. I don't know the formula, but im sure someone with more experience on here could help. If you know your pre boil specific gravity is low you would be able to add some dry malt to bring it up or you could fire harder to evaporate more of the water

preboil gravity x preboil volume = postboil gravity x postboil volume. Gravity expressed as "gravity units", or (SGx1000)-1000, more simply, 1.056 would be 56.