beervoid
Hophead & Pellet Rubber
Hello everyone.
I've been brewing on a grainfather type machine for about 2 years. Efficiency has been all over the place and just when I thought I had it down I run into this low efficiency again.
I currently have 2 similar machines and did 2 batches on the same day.
I usually mash for around 90 mins but after a bit of reading wanted to test out the theory that full conversion happens in the first 30-45minutes.
So instead of mashing for 90min + mashout, I did a 60min + mashout.
I usually get around 72% efficiency but now on both batches I got around 62% Both batches had similar grain bills. Mostly pale malt with a bit of oats 8% and malted wheat 5%.
One hit 1.055 instead of 1.065 and the other hit 1.64 instead of 1.075. Oddly similar loss of around 10 points on both.
Difference with my usual batches?
8% rolled oats (use malted or flaked wheat usually)
Mash time 60min instead of 90
Now here come the strange (for me) thing.
Since I've been having recirculation issues I have widened the gap size on my mill slowly from 0.038" to find a sweet spot.
Batch 1 was milled at 0.042" and batch 2 at 0.050".
I'm surprised both batches had roughly similar low efficiency even when the the gap size was pretty different.
This leads me conclude my low efficiency is not a milling size problem. Recirculation was better on both batches, but still pretty slow.
I've used rolled oats before even at higher % but cant recall taking a big efficiency hit from them.
I wonder if its the shorter mash that is to blame which goes against what most literature suggests should be enough for full conversion.
Any suggestions, idea's so understand this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
I've been brewing on a grainfather type machine for about 2 years. Efficiency has been all over the place and just when I thought I had it down I run into this low efficiency again.
I currently have 2 similar machines and did 2 batches on the same day.
I usually mash for around 90 mins but after a bit of reading wanted to test out the theory that full conversion happens in the first 30-45minutes.
So instead of mashing for 90min + mashout, I did a 60min + mashout.
I usually get around 72% efficiency but now on both batches I got around 62% Both batches had similar grain bills. Mostly pale malt with a bit of oats 8% and malted wheat 5%.
One hit 1.055 instead of 1.065 and the other hit 1.64 instead of 1.075. Oddly similar loss of around 10 points on both.
Difference with my usual batches?
8% rolled oats (use malted or flaked wheat usually)
Mash time 60min instead of 90
Now here come the strange (for me) thing.
Since I've been having recirculation issues I have widened the gap size on my mill slowly from 0.038" to find a sweet spot.
Batch 1 was milled at 0.042" and batch 2 at 0.050".
I'm surprised both batches had roughly similar low efficiency even when the the gap size was pretty different.
This leads me conclude my low efficiency is not a milling size problem. Recirculation was better on both batches, but still pretty slow.
I've used rolled oats before even at higher % but cant recall taking a big efficiency hit from them.
I wonder if its the shorter mash that is to blame which goes against what most literature suggests should be enough for full conversion.
Any suggestions, idea's so understand this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers