Good "starting" efficiency?

[user 246304]

I'm going crazy waiting to brew while planning out my one tier system. I'd never even heard of this technique until coming back recently to brewing and reading John Palmer's book. Can I ask, is there a typical efficiency you guys would give, as a starting point to draw out some recipes?

I've got a 7 gallon stockpot. Bummed I sold my 20 gallon (my alpine cheese vat), along with a standing burner, etc., some time ago. Very cool technique, seems you all get really good results and it's got me keyed to try it.

 

[dmtaylor]

About 70% is a good starting point for total brewhouse efficiency. Looking back... I got 71% on my very first all-grain batch, and it stayed pretty consistent in the low 70s for the first couple years. After I learned more, efficiency went way up to an average around 90%, which I was worried might be "too high" if there is such a thing. Now I average 81% and I'm happy there because it's in line with most other advanced homebrewers. The actual number doesn't really seem to matter as much as consistency. If, after the first handful of batches, you can consistently predict your efficiency and original gravity, then you're doing it right. And consistency comes mostly from milling the grains with the same mill and the same settings every time. If you don't do that, your efficiency will jump around all over the place. The only other thing I would add is, if your efficiency is around 65% or higher, you're doing alright. If it's below 65%, crush harder and look for other ways on how you might improve the sparge, boil time and vigor, and so forth.

Yeah, start with about 70%. If you're much more efficient than that, you can always dilute and maybe split the batch and run a little experiment on the side or something if you want.

 

[user 246304]

Sorry, Dmtaylor, I see I didn't make it clear that I was going to give BIAG a try, while waiting for the one tier to start coming together. Never worked with it so I wasn't sure there was a stock working figure for first brewings. Sorry for the confusion, but thanks for the thoughts.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

70% is typical for a lot of setups.

If you're uncertain, you can get a reasonable estimate using my software (Priceless' BiabCalc) based on your equipment, process, and the recipe.

 

[dmtaylor]

BIAB is really not much different from other techniques. Aim for 70%, and maybe hope for 75%, and that should be about right for a first outing in my experience.

 

[kevin58]

I was using a three keggle/single tier system and getting typical efficiency. When I started using the BIAB technique my efficiency fell closer to 60%. I adjusted the rollers on my grain mill from 0.038 to 0.028 and it's back up to near 70%.

 

[Upthewazzu]

For BIAB, 72% should be a reasonable starting point. A very fine grain crush, using lactic acid, mixing while mashing (at the 55min and 30 min mark), and raising temp to 165° have all contributed to raising my efficiency into the 80%'s.

 

[soccerdad]

I use Brewers Friend for recipe storage and adjustment and it seems to have a default setting of 70%. First couple of batches were below that. Close, but a bit under. With my processes more consistent and refined I have adjusted the default to 75 and always beat it. Generally get 80%. Start with 70. Mash longer and/or crush finer if you are low

 

[user 246304]

I use Brewers Friend for recipe storage and adjustment and it seems to have a default setting of 70%. First couple of batches were below that. Close, but a bit under. With my processes more consistent and refined I have adjusted the default to 75 and always beat it. Generally get 80%. Start with 70. Mash longer and/or crush finer if you are low

Thanks Soccerdad, and everyone. My former brewery was pretty bankable at 75%, and so I think I'll go with soccerdad's rating, as a starter, and see how it goes. I don't have Beersmith but I have Promash, always have, and really like the program.

Appreciate all your help. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

I'd go with 70% for starters.

https://mashmadeeasy.yolasite.com/

 

[user 246304]

Silver, yep, thanks - that's what I'll be doing.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

Silver, yep, thanks - that's what I'll be doing.

I'm going to guess that it will get you within +/- 3% on your overall Brewhouse Efficiency.

https://mashmadeeasy.yolasite.com/

 

[PADave]

A lot depends on your crush. Are you milling your own grains? Start with 70% and see what you get. Then brew again and see if you get the same thing.

 

[user 246304]

A lot depends on your crush. Are you milling your own grains? Start with 70% and see what you get. Then brew again and see if you get the same thing.

Not sure, yet. I haven't brewed for a long time but when I did, it was a JSP, fixed. I'd really prefer to mill my own, and in that vein, looking at a mounted MM Pro 2 with 180 HP motor, per a couple threads here. Just handed off the plans to a welder for a quote (he's pitched mild w/ epoxy; I'm pretty leery and am looking at SS) on my frame, and will use BIAB on that first, as from personal experience (a lot of stockmaking, where I don't care about boiling - but have needed it other times), I can't get a good rolling boil on the stovetop.

So, we'll see. Appreciate it, guys - 70% it is, as a starting thing.