Missing something in efficiency

[Pezedorado]

My estimated preboil gravity from BS was 1.072. I got at least 20 pts less. I didnt take a reading from the mixed runnings, but the OG was 1.056 with an extra 2 lbs of candy sugar. Est preboil gravity 1.052.

I hit the mash temp if not a bit low ~150F. Mashed 75 mins. Added 5.2 pH stabilizer to instructions. Starch test was negative. Batch sparged with 178F. Stopped collecting wort when the gravity was ~1.014.

The extra 1 gal of runnings, I boiled down to half and jarred for starters. https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

All I can think is the malt was lite on sugar... What am I missing?

 

[Pezedorado]

Oh and I saw malt was well crushed. Dbl run through the mill.

 

[phoenixs4r]

Recipe, as well as volume projected and volume acquired will be needed before we can help.

 

[Pezedorado]

Type: All Grain Date: 8/24/2012
Batch Size (fermenter): 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 7.97 gal
Boil Time: 90 min Equipment: My Equipment
End of Boil Volume 5.72 gal Brewhouse Efficiency: 72.00 %
Final Bottling Volume: 4.50 gal Est Mash Efficiency 80.7 %
Fermentation: Ale, Two Stage Taste Rating(out of 50): 30.0
Taste Notes:
Ingredients


Ingredients
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
2.00 tbsp PH 5.2 Stabilizer (Mash 60.0 mins) Water Agent 1 -
10 lbs Pilsen Malt 2-Row (Briess) (1.0 SRM) Grain 2 66.7 %
2 lbs Vienna Malt (Briess) (3.5 SRM) Grain 3 13.3 %
1 lbs Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 4 6.7 %
2 lbs Candi Sugar, Clear (0.5 SRM) Sugar 5 13.3 %
0.50 oz Nugget [12.80 %] - Boil 90.0 min Hop 6 26.5 IBUs
1.00 tbsp Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Boil 90.0 mins) Water Agent 7 -
0.50 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 8 -
1.00 oz Nelson Sauvin [12.00 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 9 16.9 IBUs
1.00 oz Nelson Sauvin [12.00 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 10 0.0 IBUs
1.0 pkg Belgian Abbey II (Wyeast Labs #1762) [124.21 ml] Yeast 11 -

Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.083 SG Measured Original Gravity: 1.058 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.009 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.010 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 9.8 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 6.3 %
Bitterness: 43.4 IBUs Calories: 192.7 kcal/12oz
Est Color: 3.6 SRM
Mash Profile

Mash Name: Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out Total Grain Weight: 15 lbs
Sparge Water: 5.47 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F Tun Temperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE Mash PH: 5.20

Mash Steps
Name Description Step Temperature Step Time
Mash In Add 18.25 qt of water at 157.9 F 148.0 F 75 min

Sparge Step: Fly sparge with 5.47 gal water at 168.0 F

 

[phoenixs4r]

I can't remember what candi syrup adds, but for some reason that grain bill looks light. Probably just too early in the morning though.

His long did you sparge for?

Also, one of the things I didn't like about using sugar with beer Smith is that it will add the potential gravity to your preboil. So if you DIDNT add it before you took your preboil reading that's why you may have been low. When did you add the sugar? Are you sure it was mixed up?

 

[inhousebrew]

Um, hydrometer temp correction? My first thought is always the most simple.

 

[inhousebrew]

Are those always the settings you use with Beersmith. Did you hit your pre boil and post boil volumes?

 

[danielbt]

Also, one of the things I didn't like about using sugar with beer Smith is that it will add the potential gravity to your preboil.

You can specify to add ingredients after the boil. It won't add that gravity to the pre-boil.

 

[Pezedorado]

I can't remember what candi syrup adds, but for some reason that grain bill looks light. Probably just too early in the morning though.

His long did you sparge for?

Also, one of the things I didn't like about using sugar with beer Smith is that it will add the potential gravity to your preboil. So if you DIDNT add it before you took your preboil reading that's why you may have been low. When did you add the sugar? Are you sure it was mixed up?

The candi sugar setting was it. I fixed that last night and chose to max out my boil @ 6.5 for my 9g pot. There were 7.5g of runnings in total and I couldnt boil that down to 5.5g in 90 mins... Dunno what BS was thinking.

Sparge was an hour. Runnings were pretty low in sugar at the end ~1.011

 

[phoenixs4r]

You can specify to add ingredients after the boil. It won't add that gravity to the pre-boil.

Are you sure? I could have sworn when I did it glitches out. Its been awhile since then though.

 

[Pezedorado]

Are you sure? I could have sworn when I did it glitches out. Its been awhile since then though.

I found this too. It did work/help.

Still wish I could get the eff higher. Buddy told me pH was the key and gave me stabilizer. That didnt do it. Runnings were so watery and early on, it passed the iodine test (wasnt even close). What else can I do?

Slow down sparge? If runnings are light @ 1hr , doesnt that mean the grains are rinsed?

 

[fpweeks]

5.2 stuff is not the answer. Spend some time reading the brew science threads.....then repeat