I just got done finishing a second batch of Pliny the elder, 1-gallon. I noticed my OG (on both batches) was 1.054. Way off the target of 1.070. I made this twice before and gotperfect values earlier in the year. I think the kit is missing a dry malt extract. It comes with the liquid pilsner malt, but I am sure I have used it in early recipes. The reason I remember it, is when I added it, it sometimes got “gooey” near the heat when I was mixing it in the wort. The instructions do not include it, so maybe they were revised. I followed everything the same. I have a great refractometer from work. I work in the chemistry lab.
weird did do some calculation i did come out to 1.060 with only the lme
maybe keep some dme in stock next time you do brew the same beer and add some dme this might help