Made a batch of helles last night and only got 53%. For a 3 gal batch I used 5 lbs German Pils, .5 Lbs Vienna. Mashed in 2 gal H2O at 152 for 90 min. Iodine test confirmed conversion after 60 min. Batch sparged with 2.5Gal at 170. OG of first runnings was 1.052 at 122degrees, OG of second runnings was 1.006 at 125degrees. Started boil with just under 4 gal and let boil for 60 min. Chilled to 70 and filtered into primary for 3 gal. Usually fly sparge and get 75-78% eff. This was my first batch sparge.

I think its your batch sparge. fly sparging usually gives a higher efficiency. (somebody correct me if i'm wrong.) do you mill your own malt?

I know fly sparge is better eff, but 25% drop? My LHBS grinds my grains. I did use some leftover Pils, about 2.6 Lbs which was ground in Jan and contained a lot of dust from the bottom of the bag. Could .5 Lbs of this fine powder be the cause?

How confident are you about your thermometer calibration? Sounds like a potential temperature issue.

Brand new digital thermo- used in my boil and showed temp of 213-214 so high end looks ok.

well homebrew shops tend to mill their malt a bit coarser because they dont want people complaining about stuck sparges, but you usually get a good efficiency and you have a good thermo, so i think its your sparge

Did I sparge too fast? Recirculated 2 gal each time before fillng brewpot with wort. The second sparge- closed valve, added 2.5 gal H2O and stirred grains- drained into brewpot. This went pretty fast, probably took less than 10 minutes. The grav of the second running seems low to me. Maybe I will go back to Fly- but batch seems like it would be a lot easier- but not worth the loss of 25% eff.

I wouldn't know times for batch sparging, i don't usually sparge.

Did you stir the during the mash? That will help, also after adding the sparge water you should stir a bit. Run off time isn't a concern with Batch sparging, but you have to get the sugar dissolved into the sparge water before draining. I would check your digital thermometer against a known good one. I had a digital that was right on at the high end but off about 7-9 degrees at the mid-range.

I recommend against a Digital Thermometers for your Mash.

There always 7-9 Degrees off or more.
I haven't seen one yet that was right on when Mashing.
Your much better off with a nice big old fashioned dial type.

"i don't usually sparge."
Then your not brewing right!!!!

I never worry about speed when I batch sparge. The quicker the better IMO.

I would look at:

Crush - finer
Temp - Was it right
Stir - before you sparge, BIG TIME! Stir it like a wild man.

I stir to mash in but never during the mash. I just mash in and let it hang out. However, most of my mashes I make on Sat. night and I sparge when I wake up on Sunday. +1 for the lazy man win!

In theory, I would get better eff. by stirring but that would require work. I'm ok with a 8% loss in eff when balanced vs. my slack time.

I think Thom might be on to something. The general consensus is that sparging is simply to wash the grains. However, I have noted better efficiency by letting the sparge sit for a while. I usually pour the water in, stir real good, and let the sparge sit for 10-15 minutes. I then stir again, wait a couple minutes and begin my runoff.

I somewhat agree with the Pooper. 5 dollar Walmart thermometers aren't always reliable across the spectrum. I have a high end digital (about $50 through a scientific tool supplier) that has never let me down.

Dial thermo, metal meat style rocks. Accurate and doesn't break.

Love em!

I actually have a Lab type thermometer from Midwest (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/12-laboratory-thermometer.html) it works great and is very accurate.
Dick K, that's exactly how I sparge, the run-off time isn't the issue, just getting the sugar into solution.

Hey Shawn, just because I don't do things your way or the way the majority does it, doesn't mean its wrong. last time i checked no-sparge brewing was a perfectly valid brewing method, and I'd appreciate it if you would stop being rude to me, because I've done nothing to you.

I stirred every 5 min and monitor temp continuously during mash albeit with the digital. This was the first try with the digital, in the past have used the old fashion dial or bulb candy thermo with good results. Could have mashed at wrong temp if Thermo was off although iodine test showed conversion. Will have to double check the digital. Thanks

Aidan
Is there any particular reason that you don't sparge? I got to think that you are leaving alot of goodies in your mashtun that you could be putting to work.

"Hey Shawn, just because I don't do things your way or the way the majority does it, doesn't mean its wrong. last time i checked no-sparge brewing was a perfectly valid brewing method, and I'd appreciate it if you would stop being rude to me, because I've done nothing to you."

I wasn't being rude to you.
I was stating a valid fact, If your not Sparging than your loosing out on sugars.
And your also loosing out on Efficiency.

I would appreciate it if you no longer try to speak to me or anything.
Just ignore that I exist on this board.
I will stay out of threads that your in from now on.

So there you have it.

Just did a test. Heated water to 152 per digital thermo and also measured with dairy therm at 150 and meat style thermo at 140. The digital and dairy thermos match pretty well and if anything the digital would have me mash at a higher temp which should have been ok.

you've been rude in the past. I come on this forum to learn. not to be ripped on for being a minor, or put down, or anything like that. and No, i'm not going to avoid specific threads because you've posted on them, because i can do what I want. have a nice day.

Keep asking questions Aidan. I will help you if I can.

I'll be talking to ,Rob!!!!

Cause your now instigating a problem...

Relax guys-- have a homebrew!!!!

Message sent....

Aidan, you did nothing wrong in my estimation. I'd suggest moving to a different forum where the atmosphere is more friendly and helpful.

And someone telling you that you aren't "brewing right!!!!!" is absolutely rude and not even accurate.

thanks, mroakley, but I don't plan on switching from Tastybrew. I went from Brewing from the can to brewing from the grain, and I have fantastic results. I have Tastybrew, and the people on Tastybrew to thank for that. ( that includes you, shawn)

Also, sorry to stink eye for hijacking this forum.

Right on. Your loyalty is admirable. If you ever get tired of things, there are some really other good forums out there. Good luck!

I thought we would hear the Music of Bag Pipes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V84STSWVp3g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip-COzs42LQ

i F*cking love dropkick murphys

Sigh!

You all do it wrong..... LOL

"I wake up on Sunday"
I shower and change my underwear on Sundays but avoid waking up.