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Author Topic: 25-point gain in efficiency!  (Read 6223 times)

Offline Podo

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25-point gain in efficiency!
« on: January 09, 2010, 11:30:17 am »
Happy New Year everybody!  I got a 15-lb barley crusher for Christmas from my wonderful wife.  I had wanted it because I have struggled with my effiiciency, I normally get 60% efficiency using grains crushed by my online supplier.  So I got 85% efficiency on my very first batch with it, awesome!  It turned my SNPA clone into SNIPA, I guess.  I am so stoked!  If anyone out there is debating whether a mill is worth the money, stop wondering and get one!
So good once it hits your lips!

Offline bluesman

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2010, 01:38:21 pm »
Crush is a significant factor in efficiency. The better the crush the better the efficiency.
Ron Price

Offline mtbrewer

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2010, 02:53:48 pm »
Congrats!! A good mill is a purchase that will never be regretted. Depending on how much you brew and the price you pay in grain, it can pay for itself in a year. Easier to justify buying bulk grain too!!

Offline rabid_dingo

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2010, 08:01:02 am »
+1 I have definitely regained the cost of the mill in grain value. Plus it make me feel like a
"Real" brewer having a bunch of grains and specialty to just muck around with. I usually have
what I need and I rarely have to run to the store for anything any more.
Ruben * Colorado :)

Offline yeastmaster

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2010, 08:34:46 am »
 ;D That's awesome!

Offline stout_fan

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2010, 07:50:03 am »
The title worried me.
I was afraid he'd say he went from 75% to 100% :P
I'd say something witty down here, but I'm at a bit of a disadvantage in that department.

Offline beerocd

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2010, 08:03:33 am »
No, that's over on the "other" board.
The moral majority, is neither.

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2010, 08:48:33 am »
The title worried me.
I was afraid he'd say he went from 75% to 100% :P
Even worst from 80 to 105% :)
Na Zdravie

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http://www.lazymonkbrewing.com

Offline trickydick

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2010, 05:39:02 pm »
Great news!

I recently motorized my Schmidling Malt Mill.  Mine is the Non-adjustable type.  I think my RPM for the mill is about 300 RPM.

Any guess as to what efficiency I might expect with the crush this mill will make?  Haven't used it yet

TD

Offline Chad Haatvedt

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2010, 07:09:06 pm »
I bought a barley crusher http://www.barleycrusher.com/barleycrusher.phpmalt-mill about a year ago, and left the gap default setting at .039 (as set at assembly).  Is the the opimum setting?  My efficiency is running at about 68%, whether i batch sparge or fly sparge.

Would setting this roller tighter, and the subsequent better cracking, give me a better yield?  or, should i be looking for other reasons for my low efficiency?
There are 10 kinds of home brewers.  Those that understand binary, and those that don't.

Offline skyler

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2010, 08:21:58 pm »
I bought a barley crusher http://www.barleycrusher.com/barleycrusher.phpmalt-mill about a year ago, and left the gap default setting at .039 (as set at assembly).  Is the the opimum setting?  My efficiency is running at about 68%, whether i batch sparge or fly sparge.

Would setting this roller tighter, and the subsequent better cracking, give me a better yield?  or, should i be looking for other reasons for my low efficiency?

You would almost certainly see a gain in efficiency by setting the roller tighter, especially when you mill wheat or rye. I drop my LHBS's mill down to .03, and that increased my efficiency by 20% from whatever I was getting when I used their old corona-style mill.

Offline Travis

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2010, 12:55:47 pm »
I crush barley at .025 and wheat/rye at .015 and never a problem with my sparging.

Offline denny

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2010, 01:00:29 pm »
I've never seen a reason to measure my gap....I brew with grist, not gaps!  ;)
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline babalu87

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2010, 06:01:47 am »
 

 ;D
Jeff

On draught:
IIPA, Stout, Hefeweizen, Hallertau Pale Ale, Bitter

Primary:
Hefeweizen,Berliner Weisse, Mead

Offline a10t2

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Re: 25-point gain in efficiency!
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2010, 10:07:02 am »
Sent from my Microsoft Bob

Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
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