Hitting your brew volume?

[Nottsbeer]

I have noticed that I never quite hit my target brew volume....jus wondering if this is a normal occurrence for others (brewing AG).

For example, I brewed today using a recipe for a 13L batch. I hit my gravity numbers perfectly, however only ended up getting c.12L into the FV. I left maybe 500ml at most in the boiler. It's not a great loss, and it hasn't bothered me previously, just curious if this is normal for others? I do BIAB method and squeeze as much out of the bag as possible. I was going to leave more in the boiler (crud) but decided to take about half. Anyone any ideas on how to improve hitting the target volume? If this is part of the brewing process and to expect to be c.1L under then that's fine. Cheers.

 

[The Baron]

Pretty normal I sometimes am out by a litre or so, can be down to hop loss boil off rate etc but I do not worry and can always back liquor if essential but do not worry too much

 

[Nottsbeer]

Pretty normal I sometimes am out by a litre or so, can be down to hop loss boil off rate etc but I do not worry and can always back liquor if essential but do not worry too much

Cheers Barron. Not an issue, just something I've noticed and got curious about today. Good to hear this is normal. I was going to leave as much gunk as possible in the boiler, but noticed that would have left me about 1.5l short, thus took in more than planned.

 

[RichardM]

What do you use to plan your recipes? Most brewing software let's you enter your losses, grain absorption and boil off rates, then tells you how much water you need for a given final volume.
To put it another way, use a bit more water and a bit more grain.

 

[Nottsbeer]

What do you use to plan your recipes? Most brewing software let's you enter your losses, grain absorption and boil off rates, then tells you how much water you need for a given final volume.
To put it another way, use a bit more water and a bit more grain.

I use the Brewfather app. TBH I've never considered looking into those variables, just presumed the app uses average/set rates. It's something to start looking at over my next brews. Yes, upping the batch size to take into account my losses is probably an easy win. I'm not a big drinker so my batch sizes are fine....just curious. Thx for your input

 

[Brew_DD2]

I use the Brewfather app. TBH I've never considered looking into those variables, just presumed the app uses average/set rates. It's something to start looking at over my next brews. Yes, upping the batch size to take into account my losses is probably an easy win. I'm not a big drinker so my batch sizes are fine....just curious. Thx for your input

Definitely worth doing a few "test" batches to dial in your numbers. It makes recipe formulation, and the brewing process more predictable and consistent.

 

[Sadfield]

I use the Brewfather app. TBH I've never considered looking into those variables, just presumed the app uses average/set rates. It's something to start looking at over my next brews. Yes, upping the batch size to take into account my losses is probably an easy win. I'm not a big drinker so my batch sizes are fine....just curious. Thx for your input

As @RichardM says. You'll need to measure your dead spaces etc.

https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/setting-up-your-equipment-profile

 

[Nottsbeer]

As @RichardM says. You'll need to measure your dead spaces etc.

https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/setting-up-your-equipment-profile

Thanks for the link. I think I read that when I started playing with the app but have forgotten all about it. Will read over this again and play around for my next brew

 

[CaptAwol]

It can always be hit and miss, I brew a regular 60L session beer and it's taken quite a few brew's to get the right'ish volume along with the OG & FG gravity

 

[Jordang]

Definitely worth doing a few "test" batches to dial in your numbers. It makes recipe formulation, and the brewing process more predictable and consistent.

I’ve been doing this with my first few brews on the G40 and I’m almost there now!