Problems batch/boil size

[mahe]

Hi

I can't seem to hit the right numbers according to the recipe Im using for Imperial Pilsner.
I am not even close to estimated SGs and Im wondering if it is because Im not reading the recipe right?

It says that my batch size is 5.50 Gal. and My boil size is 7.30.

I read this as my mash should be made with all the grain and then add 5.50 Gal of water. When mashing is done, I use the difference between the two (batch-boil size=1.8 Gal ) to sparge.
After which i top up to get the boil size of 7.30 Gal.

Am I completely off the hinges here?

 

[helibrewer]

Sounds like you are doing all grain. You should mash with something around 1.5 quarts of water per pound of grain. Assuming a batch sparge, you would run off the mash completely putting X gallons in your kettle. 7.3 minus X gives you your sparge volume. You can do a single sparge or divide that value by 2 and do 2 sparges of equal size.

Each sparge should be stirred well, left to sit about 10 minutes, then vorlauf until relatively clear, then drain. Repeat for the second sparge. You should now have about 7.3 gallons in the kettle. Take an SG reading to see how close you are to your pre-boil gravity.

 

[menerdari]

Batch size is the amount of wort you will have to put in your fermentor when done.
Read the mash profile, that gives you the exact amounts of water and temps.
That said, 7.3 gallons at start of boil is about right IF you are boiling off 1 gallon per hour.
if your boil off rate is less you need to start with less.
adjust the numbers for your system.

 

[helibrewer]

In looking at the recipe, that is a pretty big beer. You will probably need a 10 gallon mash tun for 20 pounds of grain.

 

[mahe]

Thank you all for the answers. I am a lot smarter now.

Hopefully I will have better luck next time.