I’m a new AG brewer, 6 batches now. I understand that some experienced brewers would suggest not worrying about improving efficiency, but rather keep it consistent. But I just want to improve it a little!
I brewed an IPA two days ago, mashed 14.313 lbs of grain in 4.5 gal water at 1.25qt/lb at 147F. Stepped up to 155F with .75 gallons water for 15 minutes, then raised temp (sort of like a mash out) to 158F with .5 gallon water, now 1.6qt/lb. Vorlaufed and drained, collected 3.8 gallons wort, took hydrometer sample once it cooled and it was 1.073 then added sparge 3.8 gallons water at 169F, stirred, waited 1 minute, then vorlaufed and drained again. Pre boil gravity 1.051 in 7.7 gallons wort, 75% efficiency.
After the boil, I had 5.1 gallons wort in carboy at 1.066, so 65% efficiency. I strained some of the trub/hop debris, but there was more liquid in there, just hard to get at. It had 7.5 oz hops in boil.
So my main question is, who has suggestions for straining that hop debris to get more wort into the fermenter? Or, should I focus on improving efficiency pre-boil?