11 replies to this topic

[HVB]

Looks like it is time for some changes … again.  As I prepared for this, I thought back to the various breweries I have had …there have been a few variations.

-all extract stovetop

- Partial mash with a turkey fryer

- All grain cooler and turkey fryer

- all grain cooler, electric HLT and turkey fryer

- all grain three vessel (converted kegs) all electric with a HERMS – in my garage

- all grain three vessel (Bayou Classic 62qt kettles) all electric with a RIMS  - in my cellar

- all grain two vessel (Spike 15g kettles) with a RIMS

- all grain BIAB with a RIMS

 - All grain BIAB single kettle- currently building

 

I know my new setup will have some issues hot side for low-DO brewing (if you are into that) but I am not getting rid of my RIMS or second Spike kettle so I can always go back to it if I want.  My control panel will still have room if needed. 

I decided to go with an Auber Industries DSPR320 to run my single kettle BIAB.  Amazing what can be done with a OTS controller for under 100 bucks.  You can set this thing up to run mash programs, have alarms for hop additions etc.  At this point I think I will just have it set up for step mashing and run my boil as I have been, 75% output for 30 minutes then off.

I had to re-work my existing control panel and change out the thermocouple on my kettle to make this all work.  Along with that I decided I wanted to have the recirculation hit both top and bottom for the best temperature management.  That resulted in building a simple diverter and adding a T-valve with a separate small valve after it.  I tested that all out before taking the panel apart and it was all good.

 

I need to print out the vinyl labels for the control panel but for now tape works.

 

I am currently running a water test where I start at 100 and  move to 120 – 140- 160 with a 10-minute rest at each step and just hold at 160 till I shut it off.  So far it is working great and the temps are spot on.

I hope to get everything buttoned up and give it a test run next weekend with a simple Mild.

 

Here is the old panel

[neddles]

Are you finding the step mashing to have any impact on the absurdly consistent but low-ish efficiency you had?

[HVB]

Are you finding the step mashing to have any impact on the absurdly consistent but low-ish efficiency you had?

 

A little but not much.  I think it comes down to my crush but I do get better efficiency with BIAB, aroudn 75-76%, then I was with my 2 vessel system.  The losses did not help there.  Where I see myself using the step going forward is mash in about 140 then go up to 148-152 for 45 minutes and then go to 170 and hold till I am ready to pull the bag out.  I have been starting at 140 so when I lower the bag in I reduce dough balls, at least for me.

[positiveContact]

For a little while my efficiency wasn't as good but now it seems better again. Only thing I can think of is that I'm on new grain.

[HVB]

I have just accepted I have low efficiency. I may try adjusting my mill tighter. I also think I had some temp stratification issues. The second return in the top will address that.

[djinkc]

I've forgotten but Kai (sp ?) had a way to test only mash efficiency.  I did it and mine was pretty good. Maybe someone here has a link to it. This was mash efficiency, not what you end up with in the kettle.  If you can find that and see what you are doing it may help. I think Denny posted about it here.  I know I have system losses that could be lessened a bit but I haven't done it.  The online calculator I'm using now gives me what I expect for an OG.  Supposedly I'm around 85% doing sort of a fly sparge (there is usually water above the grain bed until I'm about done sparging).  I honestly don't have much faith in that number but I know what to expect for an OG since most of my brews are now around 1.050 OG almost all of the time.

 

Anyway, I still occasionally have a few in a row that my OG is off by enough that I'm scratching my head.  Then it goes away for no good reason.  A few times my mill has simply slipped and needed to be reset - it happens.  That's about all I have for now.

[positiveContact]

That equation is pretty easy. You just need to know your grain to water ratio and then check a sample. For a given ratio and potential you can predict what 100% conversion gravity would be so you just check to see what percentage of that gravity you hit.

I think kai just had a table of ratios so you'd have assume your grain had about the right potential.

Edited by Mando, 09 January 2021 - 05:24 AM.

[HVB]

I have the Kia chart printed out and hanging in the brewery. I have a new fancy toy on the way for gravity reading so I plan to take several samples during the mash to see where I stand.

I am just happy to simplify my brewday.

[denny]

I have just accepted I have low efficiency. I may try adjusting my mill tighter. I also think I had some temp stratification issues. The second return in the top will address that.

It's almost always the crush.  Start there before you go crazy on other stuff.

[HVB]

It's almost always the crush. Start there before you go crazy on other stuff.

I have tried many settings over the year. Not sure what it is at now but I just eyeballed it to as tight as it would go. It boggles my mind because I really never seen a huge change when I adjusted.

[djinkc]

Checking your scale would be easy

[HVB]

Checking your scale would be easy

That's a good suggestion and something I have not done. I have some 10# sugar packages I can use.