Brewhouse efficiency factos

[mikedeich_]

Hello out there

Would anybody break down for me the factors that can affect brewhouse efficiency? Im aware that how you grind the malt, mash variables, and run-off can affect it....but I dont fully understand all the dirty details of it. Two very similar brewhouses in size & style can have very different efficiencies? right?

Thanks anyone

[dick murton]

OK, here's a starter of headings only, and only a starter, as to go into full details will require several hours / days / weeks........

malt modification
Residual enzymes
Added enzymes
Malt grist ratios, i.e. husk, coarse grits, fine grits & flour
Grist to liquor ratio in the mash vessel
Consistency of mash temperature and grist to liquor
quantity of adjuncts and type of adjuncts if used
Mash temperatures, times, pH, mineral salts content
mash agitation for consistent temperatures & conversion
amount of sparge liquor
do you transfer everything across from the mash vessel to the lauter ? (if using separate vessels)
Lauter tun design
Mash tansfer temperature
Sparge liquor pH and mineral salts content (admittedly not a high influence)
Sparge temperature
sparge rate
rake design, numbers, raking profile
wort runoff and sparging profile
final runoff gravity
wort clarity, which will affect the amount of trub
Whirlpool design
Whirlpool operating parameters / conditions
wort boil efficiency
amnount and type of hops added
kettle finings usage

efficiency of transfer from one vessel to another (process losses)

etc, etc

Sorry to be so vague, but I think you can start to see the scale of the question you are asking, but perhaps this will allow you to close down on a couple of items at a time

[beertje46]

See: Troubleshooting Brewhouse Efficiency

and this thread; found using the search button above

[dick murton]

Thanks for the reminder

I have so much stuff tucked away, including this article that I forgot about this neat 1..2..3 guide to much of this topic.

In practice (OK with considerable experience I guess) it is normally quickly obvious where the immediate attention has to be paid

Cheers

[mikedeich_]

Thanks guys, appreciate it.