To low efficiency

[Mastoras007]

Hello
I brew 2 batches last 5 days, both had to low efficiency, 63 and 60%
On the first batch i wasn't sure about temperature maybe sometimes i had some drops to 62 because i had different temperatures on digital and analogue thermometers, but not something very extreme

Second batch I'm sure temperature was ok i used recirculation, truth is i had an temperature control loose gone to 71 for 5-10 minutes.
The grains is stored to a store room to my balcony.. its summer here and is really hot in there..
of course sealed in the plastic bag but the temperature last 10-20 days is high 30-35 Celsius
Also is stored there for 2-3 months now crashed ready for mashing
My question is, do you think that the temperature is main reason for that low efficiency or the bad storage conditions?
Or something else?

 

[Minbari]

Lots of things effect efficiency. Don't crush your grain until your are gonna use it.
Lower temp mashes make a more fermentable wort, but it will be drier.
Mash thickness
How well you sparge at the end
PH
Conversion enzymes.

There is no one smoking gun.

That said, if I get above 60% I am happy. Rarely get very much above mid 70s

 

[Mastoras007]

Lots of things effect efficiency. Don't crush your grain until your are gonna use it.
Lower temp mashes make a more fermentable wort, but it will be drier.
Mash thickness
How well you sparge at the end
PH
Conversion enzymes.

There is no one smoking gun.

That said, if I get above 60% I am happy. Rarely get very much above mid 70s

I'm buying them crushed, that's why, also i have discount if i buy 5+kg so I'm buying 5-10 kg and brewing 15 liters batches
Mash thickness 4 -4,2
It's biab, I'm sparging over the fabric like photo
Ph 5,5-5,7
I'm brewing same way all my brews, first time i take such low efficiency!
A previous batch i had almost 80%!

 

[Mastoras007]

Thats today brew, I use also recirculation for Beter temperature allocation.

 

[Dave Y]

I’m in agreement with @Minbari, there’s a lot that can tank your efficiency.

while crushing grains too far in advance can impact your beer, I’m not sure how much. I would invest in a grain mill and buy the grains uncrushed.

How “big” were the beers with poor efficiency? for simplicity’s sake, let’s talk in target ABV
lots of grain with low or no diastatic power.
Temperature and recirculation can impact efficiency for sure. One thing I see in your picture is the sparge; there’s no way you’re washing all of the grains that way.

 

[Mastoras007]

T. One thing I see in your picture is the sparge; there’s no way you’re washing all of the grains that way.

Yes i know but as i said i brew same way all my brews same equipment same method, first time i get so low efficiency, especially 2 times in a row
( My very first batches i had efficiency issues but then i have also 0 experience)

 

[Sandy Feet]

The crush can make a big difference. For my BIAB, they basically double crush it for me at the brew store.
If the problem is FG, it might also be darker malts, adjuncts, mash temps, or all kinds of other stuff.

 

[Bigbre04]

Pre crushed can also absorb more humidity. humidity is not the grains friend.

thats a huge swing if you are normally at 80%.

my efficiency goes up on small batches(82-84%) and down on big beers(75%).

ph can make a difference as can your crush as was said above. but assuming the crush was the same as before?

 

[Mastoras007]

Pre crushed can also absorb more humidity. humidity is not the grains friend.

thats a huge swing if you are normally at 80%.

my efficiency goes up on small batches(82-84%) and down on big beers(75%).

ph can make a difference as can your crush as was said above. but assuming the crush was the same as before?

Yes same store same crush same grains company.
The bag was sealed just opened both brews ( I'm ordering 2-5 packages 3 kg each so every time is new pakage
i don't think have any humidity
Its strange and a little disappointing,
Anyway it's beer again but I'm not really brewing for drink it, I'm brewing testing recipes and get some experience before my jump

 

[Sandy Feet]

If somebody different at the same store didn't crush it fine for BIAB, it could make a difference. If you are making the next jump, you definitely need a handle on your sanitation and you will need to mill your own grain for something close to consistency.

 

[Mastoras007]

If somebody different at the same store didn't crush it fine for BIAB, it could make a difference. If you are making the next jump, you definitely need a handle on your sanitation and you will need to mill your own grain for something close to consistency.

Of course, I have already ordered a mill,

 

[Mastoras007]

Pre crushed can also absorb more humidity. humidity is not the grains friend.

thats a huge swing if you are normally at 80%.

my efficiency goes up on small batches(82-84%) and down on big beers(75%).

ph can make a difference as can your crush as was said above. but assuming the crush was the same as before?

Big brews is harder to get efficiency? Why?

 

[Minbari]

Big brews is harder to get efficiency? Why?

Sugar saturation is allot higher, so it's harder to extract everything. Plus, your grain to water ratio is usually higher