Low starting SG. poor sugar conversion?

[BrewsterT]

I've just switched to brewing partial mash from extract. I just did a partial mash IPA where the SG was supposed to 1.060 but I ended up with 1.041. I have had a hard time maintaning a consistant tempurature on my mash. For this one I was able to keep it between 151 & 154 for the majority of the mash(90 minutes). Could the fluctuation in temp be hindering my conversion? I used 4 lbs of light malt as well.

Any advice or idea's? I could really use some tips on maintaining my temp. I'm brewing outdoors with gas.

Thanks

 

[mightynintendo]

I don't think temperature fluctuation is your problem here. It's probably your mash efficiency.

 

[McCuckerson]

Please post your grain bill and mash profile and we will try to help.

 

[BrewsterT]

Here is my grain bill and mash profien

3lb pale malt(american 2 row)
1lb Dark(90L)crystal
8oz light(20L)crystal
8oz amber
4oz roasted barely

Got my water up to 168(2 gallons) added grains, this dropped the temp to about 150 so I applied just enough heat to get mash up to 153 or 154(my thermometer moves in five degree increments so it's kind of hard to tell exact temp). At this point I just babied the mash for 90 minutes doing my best to keep it between 150 and 154, stirring every few minutes.

Then sparged my grains with 2.5 gallons of 170 degree water. I sparged them using a old Ale Pale with a bunch of holes in for a strainer and used a basked out of a steamer to apply the sparge water as evenly as possible.

 

[dcp27]

At what point did you take the hydrometer reading? Pre-boil, post-boil, after topping off? Also, was this BIAB? If so, was the bag balled up tightly, because that could lead to poor efficiency .

 

[BrewsterT]

I took my reading after topping off, I don't know what BIAB stands for but I didn't use a grain bag. I have a ale pail with a bunch of holes in the bottom for straining and sparging.

 

[dcp27]

BIAB = Brew in a Bag

Since you took the reading after topping off, I'd guess the sample just wasn't well mixed.

 

[BrewsterT]

I didn't take that into consideration, maybe I will pull another sample when I get home, although I'm not a big fan of opening my fermentor. Even with the fermentation being active the last two days will it still give me an Idea of what my correct SG should have been?

 

[dcp27]

Unfortunately no since you won't know how far along the fermentation is. Since 4lbs of DME is nearly 1.041 in 5gallons anyway, I'd just estimate you were close to the projected SG. Next time try to remember to take a reading pre- and/or post-boil. Whichever time you have a better measurement on volume is ideal.

 

[BrewsterT]

Thanks for the input. Regardless of the alcohol content I know this beer will taste damn fine!