Please help. Horrible efficiency!

[n240sxguy]

With all that said, for a porter like I did, is that about what I should expect? I assume I'll learn more when I do my lighter beer, and keep more detailed notes all the time. Then i can confirm whether something major is a miss, or if thats just what my system will do. I used to keep better notes; just slacked off a little I suppose.

 

[skydvr74]

You got it.

For me. I usually have about 80%+ mash efficiency with 70-75% brew house efficiency with normal gravity beers (<1.060). When I do my double IPA my efficiency drops down to 60-70% mash and 55-65% brew house.

If you haven't already search party-gyle. That's where you use the first running a for your big beer, then sparse with 5 gal and use that for a lighter session beer.

 

[DrunkenNightsPodcast]

I just think you are using too large of a grain bill and when you use that much grain efficiency goes way down. Try a batch with 18-20 lbs of grain and I bet you will see your efficiency go way up.

 

[n240sxguy]

I like the two batches off of one mash idea.

 

[skydvr74]

I haven't had the time to do a party-gyle yet, but I want to. What's cool is you collect your first runnings for say an IPA or some other pale beer. Then throw in 2-3# of dark specialty grains and do a second mash while you boil your first batch. That way you get a double IPA and porter out of the same batch.

 

[n240sxguy]

Cool