it seems the learning curve here is really steep. i have read about a million threads about this (from noobs like me to more advanced brewers) trying to figure out how to set up efficiencies so that it all works. i have been bombarding this place with questions and hope i am not wearing out my welcome as the same handful of really nice and helpful people have been answering me, so let me try for the last time. i am starting my first all grain brew tomorrow. i want to get down to just the bare nuts and bolts here, so this is what (i think) i have learned on how to set up my efficiencies - i just need to know if i am on target here.
1. i have set up my brewhouse efficiency as stated in the sticky by pat "BeerSmith2 'Equipment Profile' set-up for new all-grainers". this is just an estimate for now, so i leave it alone for at least 5 brews. mine is at 66%.
2. i have set my trub loss to 0 and increased my batch size to compensate as mentioned in many threads around here to simplify the process. is this correct? if it matters, my trub loss is easy to calculate and always the same (i have a spigot on my kettle and just drain off the beer from the trub - whatever remains is my trub which is always obviously a set amount).
3. i will collect the exact amount of wort that BS says in the "estimated pre-boil volume". by collecting that exact amount i take the volume part out of the equation. i also record this amount in the "measured pre-boil volume".
4. i take a gravity reading pre-boil and record it in the "measured pre-boil gravity" spot.
5. i compare the "estimated pre-boil gravity" and the "measured pre-boil gravity" readings. i want them to match. i adjust the "total efficiency" reading on the design page until the two readings match. this "total efficiency" gives me my efficiency for this recipe. i repeat this at least 5 times to get an average of my efficiency over 5 beers. i can than enter this efficiency into my master brewhouse efficiency in my equipment profile.
6. i get drunk because i am so damn happy i finally figured this &%^$ thing out.
someone please tell me if this is right? if not explain to me (like you would to a five year old please) how to fix it. thanx in advance.
1. i have set up my brewhouse efficiency as stated in the sticky by pat "BeerSmith2 'Equipment Profile' set-up for new all-grainers". this is just an estimate for now, so i leave it alone for at least 5 brews. mine is at 66%.
2. i have set my trub loss to 0 and increased my batch size to compensate as mentioned in many threads around here to simplify the process. is this correct? if it matters, my trub loss is easy to calculate and always the same (i have a spigot on my kettle and just drain off the beer from the trub - whatever remains is my trub which is always obviously a set amount).
3. i will collect the exact amount of wort that BS says in the "estimated pre-boil volume". by collecting that exact amount i take the volume part out of the equation. i also record this amount in the "measured pre-boil volume".
4. i take a gravity reading pre-boil and record it in the "measured pre-boil gravity" spot.
5. i compare the "estimated pre-boil gravity" and the "measured pre-boil gravity" readings. i want them to match. i adjust the "total efficiency" reading on the design page until the two readings match. this "total efficiency" gives me my efficiency for this recipe. i repeat this at least 5 times to get an average of my efficiency over 5 beers. i can than enter this efficiency into my master brewhouse efficiency in my equipment profile.
6. i get drunk because i am so damn happy i finally figured this &%^$ thing out.
someone please tell me if this is right? if not explain to me (like you would to a five year old please) how to fix it. thanx in advance.