Hello,
just finished my 10th batch! Over this time I continue to learn and improve all of my processes. But I’m struggling with my efficiency. When I take first runnings, i am usually above what beersmith predicts, my original gravity is always below, not a terrible amount, but 2-3points.
Is the culprit my boil?
I mash in a 60qt cooler. Have a 16 gallon pot. Mash for 75 mins, at 30 i stir like crazy, at 1hr same. Then i drain, and batch sparse, let it sit for 10mins, then drain that. I’ve learned my “equipment” pretty well over these 10 batches. So i mash with 6gallons, sparge with 5.5gallons. I use roughly 15lbs of grain. This gets me 8.5 gallons for pre boil....usually there is a little left(1/2 gallon-1gallon) that i dump. I have a 7g fermenter, but want to stay at the 6.25 gallon mark. My kettle is so large, it sits on two top burners on oven that i light, if i keep top on, it gets to a rolling boil.
Thoughts, Helps, suggestions?
Thanks in advance
just finished my 10th batch! Over this time I continue to learn and improve all of my processes. But I’m struggling with my efficiency. When I take first runnings, i am usually above what beersmith predicts, my original gravity is always below, not a terrible amount, but 2-3points.
Is the culprit my boil?
I mash in a 60qt cooler. Have a 16 gallon pot. Mash for 75 mins, at 30 i stir like crazy, at 1hr same. Then i drain, and batch sparse, let it sit for 10mins, then drain that. I’ve learned my “equipment” pretty well over these 10 batches. So i mash with 6gallons, sparge with 5.5gallons. I use roughly 15lbs of grain. This gets me 8.5 gallons for pre boil....usually there is a little left(1/2 gallon-1gallon) that i dump. I have a 7g fermenter, but want to stay at the 6.25 gallon mark. My kettle is so large, it sits on two top burners on oven that i light, if i keep top on, it gets to a rolling boil.
Thoughts, Helps, suggestions?
Thanks in advance