low gravity readings

[grampt]

New to home brewing and have a dumb question?
I'am on my third batch, first batch{sierra crest pale ale)the OG 1.040 should have been1.053 second batch(red ale)the OG1.040 should have been1.052, third batch (american pale ale) OG 1.050 should have been 1.051
I would like to know if the water I used could make the difference between the first two batches OG and the third batch which was very close to what it was supposed to be.
We have a well with a water softener which is the water I used for the first two batches and I bought 5 gal of drinking water for the third batch.
DO you think the water was the problem for the low OG on my first two batches?

Thanks grampt1

 

[bobeer]

Are these extract batches?

 

[grampt]

Yes

 

[RM-MN]

If you used the usual partial boil with top off water, incomplete mixing of the concentrated wort with the less dense water will give incorrect OG readings, usually low but occasionally very high if some of the concentrated wort got into the sample. With extract there is a specified amount of sugars which is what your hydrometer reads. If you used the correct amount of extract with the correct amount of water, you hit the OG right on.

 

[MrTux]

I had the same issues with my extract brews. If you followed the process, your final SG should be just fine.