Second AG, Dialing In Software, Efficiency, etc

[StateRoad84]

Hey All!

Finished brewing my second AG yesterday. A SMaSH with Maris Otter, Cascade hops and using US-05. I am using Brewtarget software for my recipes. For my brewhouse settings I did an evaporation test (plain water) and found 2.945 qt/hr. My batch size is 1.25 gallons, target pre-boil size is 2.049 gallons, grain absorption is set at .596 qt/lb and loss kettle to fermentor I had set to 1 cup.

Here are my actual readings for this batch:
Pre Boil Volume = 2.125 Gal
Pre Boil SG = 1.038
Pre Boil Efficiency = 77.27%
Post Boil Wort Volume = 1.4375 Gal
OG = 1.056
Brew House Efficiency = 77.03%

I use a very archaic mash and sparge method (pot and strainer) so the calculated efficiency is quite good. Below I have posted a screen shot of the brewtarget calculations based on 70%. Obviously my absorption and evaporation is off. Also I know that I can't change the batches I have done in the software, but going forward should I make changes to my settings for future batches? The V.2 of the SMaSH and Cream Ale are already in house as far as the Grain Bills, should I change the settings for those two? Increase the hops (increased efficiency, increased sweetness)?

 

[billl]

It's your software, so change whatever you want

Personally, I think that's really solid for your first AG brew. To be within less than 1/4 gallon on your initial estimate is about as good as you can hope for. I would just tweak the absorption and boil off to match your volumes and leave the efficiency alone. You collected a bit too much wort. Higher water volumes increase efficiency, so it will probably drop a little once your get the volumes dialed in.

Anyway, it's a process not a destination. You make a batch, adjust. Make another batch, adjust. Hopefully you learn a few things along the way eg a brew in a bag might be a good improvement over your strainer for minimal investment. If you change anything about your process, you'll be back to tweaking these variables again.