Low Efficiency question

[ThirstyPawsHB]

This subject has been discussed at length, however, I'm interested in expert opinions about a couple of tweaks that may have potentially caused my efficiency issue this week.

I'm not too experienced <15 brews (14 all grain), however in the previous batches a few weeks back, I significantly improved the sparging technique and thus hovered around 72-76% efficiency.

With yesterdays set of batches, ALL 4 brews came out low, around 60% +/-5%. I used the same strike/sparge technique as before albeit more precise temperatures for the given style, IPA at 148F, Red at 154F as so forth. Here were other changes performed. If anyone can look this over and give hints, I would be greatly appreciated.

Other changes this batch:
1) Switched from RO to tap (Austin,tx). I bought Lactic Acid to drop the pH and used the "Water EZcalc" to set up minerals and pH (5.25ish). I have used this 'calc' for the last several batches (using RO), but because I did not have Lactic Acid, the pH would end up around 5.4.

2) As stated before, I used more precise temperatures for the given styles. The previous All-grain batches all were around 152-154F.

3) The "good" efficiency grains I got from Northern Brewer. These grains were from a different online vendor. I suspect this is the most likely cause as EVERY batch came out ultra-low.

Thank you.

 

[Natdavis777]

Did you import your water report into EZcalc to figure your mineral additions and pH? I assume you did since you are using the program, but if your bicarb levels are extremely high and they were not taken into account, that can throw your pH high, losing efficiency.

 

[dyqik]

I'd guess 3) is to blame. I rarely get better than 65% brewhouse efficiency (~75% mash) using grains from Morebeer kits, while getting 75% brewhouse/82% mash with grains from my LHBS. The only reason for me using Morebeer kits is the hop prices, and trying to get free shipping on equipment.

This is both with and without RIMS, and a mash out step before a 30-40 minute fly sparge.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

Did you import your water report into EZcalc to figure your mineral additions and pH? I assume you did since you are using the program, but if your bicarb levels are extremely high and they were not taken into account, that can throw your pH high, losing efficiency.

Alkalinity level is published and is accounted for with EZcalc. As mentioned, this was used very successfully in previous batches.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

I'd guess 3) is to blame. I rarely get better than 65% brewhouse efficiency (~75% mash) using grains from Morebeer kits, while getting 75% brewhouse/82% mash with grains from my LHBS. The only reason for me using Morebeer kits is the hop prices, and trying to get free shipping on equipment.

This is both with and without RIMS, and a mash out step before a 30-40 minute fly sparge.

+1 for this comment. My feeling also...and i used this online vendor for the same reason, was able to get 1lb bag of hops. Do they have a "crush twice" option for like $1? Have you ever tried that to see if efficiency gets better?

After looking through records, I also had great efficiency with grains from our local supply store, AHS; 71% and 81% (according to Beersmith.)