Incredibly Frustrated With Poor Efficiency

[Tobor_8thMan]

Please realize the software estimates are just that, estimates. Malting specs change. Unless, we are constantly doing research on the malt we use, updating the brewing software, etc we using generalities in regard to the malt specs.

As homebrewers, as long as we get close, this is fine.

 

[doug293cz]

Please realize the software estimates are just that, estimates. Malting specs change. Unless, we are constantly doing research on the malt we use, updating the brewing software, etc we using generalities in regard to the malt specs.

As homebrewers, as long as we get close, this is fine.

True, the output of a prediction is no better than the input data that is used to calculate the output.

However, if grain moisture (for example) has a range of 3% - 5% across multiple lots, you are better off assuming a 4% moisture content (in the absence of more accurate data) than you are ignoring moisture effects in your predictions.

Brew on

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

True, the output of a prediction is no better than the input data that is used to calculate the output.

However, if grain moisture (for example) has a range of 3% - 5% across multiple lots, you are better off assuming a 4% moisture content (in the absence of more accurate data) than you are ignoring moisture effects in your predictions.

Brew on

Talking an average (4%) of the 3 to 5 range. Similar to what I encounter when trying to "fix" my brewing water

 

[VikeMan]

for conversion efficiency, their calculator is quite a bit off. They do not take grain moisture under consideration and they use water volume instead of wort volume.

Conversion Efficiency should use water volume (not wort volume). It's measures the percentage of total possible starches that were converted to sugars/dextrins, regardless of how much makes it (or not) to the boil kettle.

Wort volume (in the kettle) is used to measure Mash Efficiency.

 

[doug293cz]

Conversion Efficiency should use water volume (not wort volume). It's measures the percentage of total possible starches that were converted to sugars/dextrins, regardless of how much makes it (or not) to the boil kettle.

Wort volume (in the kettle) is used to measure Mash Efficiency.

Yes, the correct formula for conversion efficiency uses water volume (actually water weight,) but you cannot use water volume and points per gallon to calculate conversion efficiency. If you want to use points, you must do it with wort volume, not water volume. The only way to determine wort volume at the end of mash is to go thru the correct formula that starts with grain weight, grain potential, strike water weight, and end of wort SG in °Plato. Most of the incorrect conversion efficiency calculators try to use strike water volume and points, which gives you a lower efficiency than actual. Ignoring the moisture content of grain makes your conversion efficiency look even worse.

Brew on

 

[jdudek]

Yes, the correct formula for conversion efficiency uses water volume (actually water weight,) but you cannot use water volume and points per gallon to calculate conversion efficiency. If you want to use points, you must do it with wort volume, not water volume. The only way to determine wort volume at the end of mash is to go thru the correct formula that starts with grain weight, grain potential, strike water weight, and end of wort SG in °Plato. Most of the incorrect conversion efficiency calculators try to use strike water volume and points, which gives you a lower efficiency than actual. Ignoring the moisture content of grain makes your conversion efficiency look even worse.

Brew on

thanks, that's what I meant. my comment about wort volume was ambiguous.

 

[charlesbrewer]

could it be you been feeding beer smith wrong data? reading through the thread does not seem this has been fully put to rest.

I partial brew with half volume and getting 85% without much effort. And I make sure my grains turns into flour before mashing.