Efficiency

[Beerrific]

I am planning my first PM. I am using about 4.5 lbs of grain (3 pilsner, 1 wheat, .5 Vienna). What should I estimate my efficiency to be? I am trying to decide how much DME to order, don't want to run out but don't want too much leftover.

Thanks.

Also, is it reasonable/common to take a hydrometer reading before boiling in order to adjust my DME addition to hit my desired OG?

 

[abt]

I would take a hydro reading, but most partial mashes are more for character than gravity. Get plenty of DME and definitely have leftover. It's great for on-the-fly bumping of gravity, making a starter, or a quick malted shake on a hot day. Keep it around.

 

[CBBaron]

I am planning my first PM. I am using about 4.5 lbs of grain (3 pilsner, 1 wheat, .5 Vienna). What should I estimate my efficiency to be? I am trying to decide how much DME to order, don't want to run out but don't want too much leftover.

Thanks.

Also, is it reasonable/common to take a hydrometer reading before boiling in order to adjust my DME addition to hit my desired OG?

Depending on your PM technique I would expect between 50 and 80% efficiency.
Buy DME for 50% efficiency but expect closer to 65%.
With 4.5# of grains you should expect a little more out of you PM than just character. You should be able to reduce the DME by close to 2# vs an all extract recipe.

Craig

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

I thought the "standard" for PM's was 30%? At least thats what promash and beersmith adivise you set your efficiency to.

I don't know if you guys have ubrews down there, but many of the ones aorund here buy ther e bulk LME from Canadian Unitied Malting, and it is diastatic (has amaylase enzyme added) and can convert your adjuncts if held a mash temps. If you can get your hands on some of that, it sure helps. It has a diastatic rating of 100.

 

[Beerrific]

I am looking at
3 pilsner
1 wheat
.5 vienna (maybe 1)

with 50% efficiency in 5.5 gallons
that will give me 16.2 points
need 45-16=30 from the DME at 43p/g/g=3.84lbs

with 30% efficiency
that will give me 9.3 pts
45-9.3=35.7 need 4.5 lbs of DME

So if I get 5 pounds that should be plenty, plus some left for a starter and priming hopefully.

Sound reasonable?

 

[Brewing Clamper]

What are you mashing in? Are you using one of those 2gl coolers like the article on BYO or are you using your bucket? Sparging technique also changes efficiency. When I PM, I use a modified 2gl cooler & fly sparge. I get pretty good efficiency that way (~%75).

 

[Beerrific]

I will probably be mashing in my bottling bucket, lined with a nylon mesh bag. People have reported pretty good results doing this a wrapping a blanket around the bucket. I hope that this and the Atlanta sun will keep my temp up.

I think with this set-up batch sparging will be easiest.

Also, what is the best volume of water to mash/sparge with? I think I read for light beers 2qts/pound for mashing?

 

[Brewing Clamper]

I will probably be mashing in my bottling bucket, lined with a nylon mesh bag. People have reported pretty good results doing this a wrapping a blanket around the bucket. I hope that this and the Atlanta sun will keep my temp up.

I think with this set-up batch sparging will be easiest.

Also, what is the best volume of water to mash/sparge with? I think I read for light beers 2qts/pound for mashing?

I believe Yooper Chick's got a good hold on this technique. I know she mentioned some time ago that this is how she started PMs. She might have some more insight for you, but it seems like you got it. The couple of times that I've batch sparged, I just used the same volume of water as the initial mash called for. Dunno how good that is though.

 

[uwmgdman]

I thought the "standard" for PM's was 30%? At least thats what promash and beersmith adivise you set your efficiency to.

Wow, 30% would be terrible. My method wasn't very good at first I got 40-50%, now I always get right around 75%.

 

[Mk010101]

My first PM was 60% and it was done in a 2 gallon cooler with a grain bag. The main reason it was that low was that I didn't use enough sparge water and so didn't collect all the sugars I probably could have. I will be doing another PM soon with a new 3 gallon converted cooler and hope to break 70% this time.

 

[Beerrific]

I believe Yooper Chick's got a good hold on this technique. I know she mentioned some time ago that this is how she started PMs. She might have some more insight for you, but it seems like you got it. The couple of times that I've batch sparged, I just used the same volume of water as the initial mash called for. Dunno how good that is though.

Yes, Yooper Chick was the one that gave this idea.

My first PM was 60% and it was done in a 2 gallon cooler with a grain bag. The main reason it was that low was that I didn't use enough sparge water and so didn't collect all the sugars I probably could have. I will be doing another PM soon with a new 3 gallon converted cooler and hope to break 70% this time.

Did you modify the cooler to have a spigot? I have a cooler but it isn't mine so I can't destroy it.