cimirie
Well-Known Member
So, I finished my first solo all grain batch today (I've done it a few times with a buddy). I encountered some difficulties (spilling some wort in transfer and burning myself, but all fairly minor I suppose).
Unfortunately, I'm really really frustrated at the result. I was brewing Lil Sparky's Nut Brown ale and missed my OG by a mile. In fact, my brewhouse efficiency was down at about 61%. On the same setup, we've been achieving around 82% or so consistently.
I hit my strike and mash temps spot on. The only number I missed was my sparge temp (I was sparging at 175 instead of 170). I performed the iodine test and no change in color so I passed that.
I was just shy on wort collected (6.25 instead of target 6.5 gal) but the required hour boil dropped it down to 5 gal instead of the desired 5.5 gal.
So I missed the sparge temp and missed total volume. I can't imagine a temp difference of 5 degrees would cause a drop in BHE of more than 20%. Especially considering the lower volume would seemingly concentrate the wort.
I'm so confused and could use some enlightened perspectives. Any ideas?
PS The only other variable I can think of is that I didn't take a temp reading towards the end of my sparging. I was keeping my liquor in a separate cooler and measured temp at the beginning and ladeled it in to the MLT gradually.
As always, thanks for the help!!!
Relevant info...
Potential points: 1.086
Actual points: 1.043
Target volume: 5.5gal
Actual volume: 5 gal
Strike temp: 165 (target and actual)
Mash temp: 154 target 153 actual
Mash time: 60 min target 80 min actual
Sparge temp: 170 target 175 actual
Sparge duration 60 min (target and actual)
Unfortunately, I'm really really frustrated at the result. I was brewing Lil Sparky's Nut Brown ale and missed my OG by a mile. In fact, my brewhouse efficiency was down at about 61%. On the same setup, we've been achieving around 82% or so consistently.
I hit my strike and mash temps spot on. The only number I missed was my sparge temp (I was sparging at 175 instead of 170). I performed the iodine test and no change in color so I passed that.
I was just shy on wort collected (6.25 instead of target 6.5 gal) but the required hour boil dropped it down to 5 gal instead of the desired 5.5 gal.
So I missed the sparge temp and missed total volume. I can't imagine a temp difference of 5 degrees would cause a drop in BHE of more than 20%. Especially considering the lower volume would seemingly concentrate the wort.
I'm so confused and could use some enlightened perspectives. Any ideas?
PS The only other variable I can think of is that I didn't take a temp reading towards the end of my sparging. I was keeping my liquor in a separate cooler and measured temp at the beginning and ladeled it in to the MLT gradually.
As always, thanks for the help!!!
Relevant info...
Potential points: 1.086
Actual points: 1.043
Target volume: 5.5gal
Actual volume: 5 gal
Strike temp: 165 (target and actual)
Mash temp: 154 target 153 actual
Mash time: 60 min target 80 min actual
Sparge temp: 170 target 175 actual
Sparge duration 60 min (target and actual)