Help!!

[CelticBlast]

I'm in need of help!! Last 4 batches of partial grain recipes have ranged from 15 - 20 below suggested original specific gravity. I've replaced my hydrometer and still have this happening. I've been brewing off and on for close to 20 years and can't figure it out. My finals are not dropping to where the specific gets me the result I'm looking for. Results in taste and clarity have been fine. Just making too many session brews. I do not rush anything and give all my brews plenty of primary, secondary and conditioning time. What can my problem be??

 

[the_bird]

How's your crush? The biggest factor that seems to impact efficiency is a crush that's not fine enough. Anything different in this regard lately?

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

I agree crush is the most likely culprit. What kind of efficiency are you getting?

Another possibility is the water. Altering the pH with brewing salts on your next batch wouldn't be too tough to try.

Have you changed batch size recently? Using different measuring tools?

 

[CelticBlast]

I've never really crushed my own grains. Probably a bad assumption on my part that my supplier(s) have taken that step for me. Used the old tap water because I subscibe to the theory that if it tastes good it's fine. Never had a problem. Are you suggesting to crush the grains a little better and add Burton salts to every recipe? I'll give you an example of batch I did last week. Partial Grain Hefeweizen kit from Austin Home Brew. Nothing but good reviews on the quality of their products. Went thru normal steps and hydro reading called for 1.050 OG. Mine was 1.032 at 70 degrees. I use a fine mesh strainer with my funnel transfer from pot to primary to take out excess silt. Always done it but can that be causing a problem?

 

[CelticBlast]

Also the only change to measuring devices was a new hydrometer because I've run into this problem on 4 out the last 5 batches. All have been 5 gallon in primary.

 

[the_bird]

I'm suspecting that my medicore efficiency is a result of a bad crush. If you buy them from a local HBS, you might ask that they run them through a second time. It's possible that your supplier's machine has gotten out of whack, tell them that you're wondering if they are being crushed enough since your efficiency has suddenly dropped pretty dramatically.

I'm in the process of building my own mill so that I can control this. But, that's what I would start out by examining. Buddy of mine here had a batch that came out to like 1025! (he was expecting !105), IIRC), due it seems to a crappy crush at out HBS.

Honestly, I would do that before playing around with brewing salts, unless you have a means of accurately checking PH. PH can have an impact, but it seems unlikely that this would suddenly change, and you don't want to start tossing salts into the mash unless you know where you're starting from. If anything, maybe buy a tub of the 5.2PH Buffer, I use that, it's easy and it works well.

No other changes to the process?

 

[CelticBlast]

No other changes at all. I'm going to try AHS's Fat Tire Clone soon. I think I'll try and smash the grains a little better and advise you of the results. Any suggestions on mills at all? I've used the old rolling pin in a plastic zip lock before. I'm not set up to do whole grain brewing but have always liked my results doing partial grain. But I'd be tempted to invest in something to ensure better results.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Are you doing a full boil or a concentrated boil? If you are adding top off water (like most people do) it is hard to get a correct hydromter reading. You really have to mix up the batch thoroughly with the top off water. Simply stirring the batch will not mix it completely. Liquid extract add 35 points per pound per gallon. If you had 5 lbs of extract you would have 1.035 with the extract alone. The grains will add 15 points to make 1.050

I would bet that there is nothing wrong with the hydrometer, the grain crush, or the batch. I think you just had a false reading.