First All Grain Batch Process Critique

[Biking_Brewer]

I just completed my first all-grain batch last night. I got a cooler kit and then just pretty much winged it going off the things I've read. Seems like the easiest way to understand the process is to just do it. Below is the step-by-step process that I took. I am now looking for additional suggestions on how I could improve my process without the addition of a bunch of different equipment (i.e. brewstand, pump, ect). Specifically looking at temps, times, amounts, ect. Any and all feedback is much appreciated!

1. Heat all carbon filtered water in boil kettle
- Strike water amount: 1.25 quarts/1 lbs of grain
- Sparge water amount: 2 quarts/1 lbs of grain
- False bottom dead space amount/pre-heat: 2 quarts
- Heat to 170 degrees
2. Add strike water to mash tun
3. Add 1 tbsp of 5.2 pH mash stabilizer
4. Add grains
5. Stir until mash reaches temperature of 152-155 degrees
6. Close lid and set timer for 60 minutes
7. Open and check temperature at 30 min
- Add boiling carbon filtered water if needed to bring back to 152-155 degrees
8. With about 20 min left in mash, bring sparge water to 190 degrees and transfer to HLT
9. After 60 minutes, vorlauf two quarts
10. Collect first runnings
11. Add half of sparge water at 180-185 degrees and stir until temperature is about 165 degrees
12. Wait 10 minutes
13. Vorlauf two quarts
14. Collect second runnings
15. Add remaining sparge water at 175-180 degrees and stir until temperature is about 165 degrees
16. Wait 10 minutes
17. Vorlauf two quarts
18. Collect third runnings

When my collection was done I had 6.5 gallons of wort. After boil I was at 5.5 gallons with a SG of 1.047. I did not take a reading before the boil. Recipe is below.

Irish Red Ale recipe:
9 lbs domestic 2-row
12oz Caramel 40L
4oz Special B
4oz Roasted Barley
1oz Cascade @ 60 min
1oz Fuggle @ 2 min

Thoughts? Tips? Suggestions?

 

[poislb]

Congrats....Looks good to me, the key is to find your own system and go with it. If it makes great beer, then thats your system whatever it may be. Every one does it a bit different. Keep us posted on the final product

Temps look right, as long as ya get your target mash temp your golden. Ive missed my mash temp by 8 degrees and still made awesome beer. Its forgiving to a point, in the end all grain makes great beer no matter what kinda small flaws ya have in your brew day. Just keep it clean, sanitize, dont underpitch yeast(make sure there happy), ferment low and you will make great beer.

Again, congrats and happy holidays..

 

[jagg]

I wouldn't worry about opening the cooler @ 30 minutes and stirring, and you dont need to wait 10 min. Between drains, that will cut some time off, sounds like you did a good job, Congrats