After doing 4 AG batches, I’ve got questions regarding strike water. What is the purpose of the water/grain ratio? What is the reason to get equal runnings? Is grain absorption already calculated into the water/grain ratio? Is it just lucky if the water/grain ratio = first runnings?
For my first 3 batches, I calculated my strike water to get equal runnings, 3 gallons. My first batch was 11 lbs of grain.
3gal + (0.13gal * 11lb) = 4.5gal for strike water
So with the grain absorption, I have 1.6qt/lb
Without I have 1.1qt/lb.
Which is the correct ratio?
My last batch I used the water/grain ratio of 1.5qt/lb and didn’t get equal runnings.
1.5qt * 6.25lb = 2.3gal and it resulted in 1.5 gallon of wort so I had to add 4.5gal to reach my final 6gal volume.
Which way is better? I’ve hit my numbers using both methods but I’m wondering if I should shoot for equal runnings or a certain water/grain ratio.
First, forget 3 equal runnings. Unless your tun isn’t big enough to hold all the water at once there’s no reason to do 2 sparges. I use a mash ratio that gets me about (within a gal. or so) equal runnings from the mash and sparge runoffs. Usually I mash at about 1.6-1.7 qt./lb. Graiabsorption is not calculated into that. Equal runnings get yu the best efficiency, but I’ve found that as long as thet runnings are within about a gal. it doesn’t make a world of difference.
+1 to what Denny said. Just shoot for 1-3 qts/lb, I usually shoot for 1.5-2 because that is what gets me equal runnings. Don’t get stuck on a specific water to grist ratio and then try to measure 4.832 gallons of water, pick some amount that is easy for you to measure accurately.
I don’t do 2 sparges either, it’s not worth the extra time or effort for me. The most you’ll gain is about 2-3% efficiency (over 1 sparge), and for me it’s better to use more water and have a nice, easy to stir mash.
Do you guys adjust your ratio so you don’t have to add mashout water? I have been mashing around 1.25 qt/lb, then usually having to add 10-13qt for mashout. It would save me an extra step if I could just add more water for the mash, as long as it doesn’t have a negative affect on efficiency. I would use a ratio of 1.7 to 2 qt/lb to get the volume I need.
Yep, I do. I found that my efficiency increased when I increased my ratio. I sparge with 190ish water which not only ensures complete conversion but does as much of a mashout as I was getting with a separate water addition.
Yep, I do. I found that my efficiency increased when I increased my ratio. I sparge with 190ish water which not only ensures complete conversion but does as much of a mashout as I was getting with a separate water addition.[/quote]
Great, thanks! Just shaved 20 minutes or so off my brew day.
Yep, I do. I found that my efficiency increased when I increased my ratio. I sparge with 190ish water which not only ensures complete conversion but does as much of a mashout as I was getting with a separate water addition.[/quote]
At 190F are you concerned about tannin extraction or does it equalize at a low enough temperature given the mass of the mash?
Absolutely not, becasue I know my pH is correct. As long as you have the right pH, temp is really not an issue in tannin extraction. If it was, no one could do decoction mashes, right?
Higher temperature and higher pH both increase tannin solubility. But it is generally accepted that if the mash pH is correct then the effect from temperature is minimal. A good example of this is decoction - the mash is boiled for extended periods of time without extracting “excessive” tannins (i.e. not noticable in finished beer).
Staying at or below 5.8 should be sufficient to prevent excessive tanning extraction. It’s usually only an issue when sparging with alkaline water, so even if your mash pH is acceptable acidifying the sparge water is not a bad idea if you have alkaline water.
is this another of the “if denny says it, it must be true” things, or is there some data on this?[/quote]
You posted a reply, yet you had nothing to say to the OP, no advise, no words of wisdom, nothing. WE can see thru your B.S.
Kinda is a lot like sorta. Weren’t you sorta, er, kinda trying to bait someone? My reply was to your smart @ss reply, witch somehow, had a direct tie to the OP.
