Beer Forum

I have recently switched to all Grain Brewing. I have been doing batch sparging. My efficiency had been pretty low. I understand that Batch Sparging generally gives you a lower efficiency, but I don’t think it should be this rough. I started doing Mini mash with about 60 % efficiency. When I switched to all grain I upped my base malt to 14 lbs (for a five gallon batch) but it was low. What is the best way to get better efficiency with out switching to Fly? Any Help would be greatly appreciated!

When you get conversion (negative iodine test), I would check the crush. Make sure the endosperm is well accessible and none of the kernels aren't open.

Kai

The chief cause of low efficiency in batch sparging is undercrushing your grain. You should have a fair amount of flour without shredding your hulls too much. If your grains are merely cracked with no flour, you will get poor conversion.

The thing about efficiency dropping when you batch sparge is primarily theoretical. In theory a perfect fly sparge will give you higher efficiency than a perfect batch sparge. However, it is much easier to screw up a fly sparge than a batch sparge. On top of that, some mash systems work better for fly sparging and some work better for batch sparging. It's all a matter of tun geometry and manifold construction.

Again, the first place to look is your crush. Also review just how you are doing your batch sparge. If you haven't already, check out http://hbd.org/cascade/dennybrew/

and http://cruisenews.net/brewing/infusion/page1.php

This will give you 2 different views of the process and should help you a little.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

I agree with Kai. If you have to, go ahead and double crack your grain. Run it through the mill twice.

I have heard of a few people doing this where the brewshop does not have a consistent mill.

I hate loose mills. Sometimes I think that "some" brewshops have their mills set loose on purpose. Mo Money. If you have to buy more grain to get 1.065 the more money comes to the brewshop.

I am not usually so cynical, but I have seen this many times. I kind of hate it as you can see.

Carlo

I'd always attributed the loose mills to sloth rather than malice. Sort of like a rented mule - nobody really cares what shap it's in.

One of our local shops has a Philmill2 with an overpressure spring so worn that it won't crush at all. Last time I was there I ran my grain through twice and still ended up crushing it with a ziplock back and a rolling pin when I got home.

then I bought my own mill so life is all sunshine and happiness now.