Pre boil gravity question.

[jayk34]

I made an AIPA today with the following
5.5kg of pale malt
550g carapils
350g Crystal light

45g Chinook 60 minutes
21g centennial 5 minutes

Dry Hop
100g Citra dry hop
63g centennial

The expected pre boil gravity per brewfather was given at 1.054 which I thought was a bit high. The bigger issue is that my pre boil gravity was 1.020! The expected OG was 1.061 and I was worried through the whole boil that I wouldn't come anywhere near that based on the pre boil. I ended up with an OG of 1.055.

I have checked through my previous brews and my expected and actual pre boils have been either by on the nose or very close. Any ideas on the issue here ?

 

[crowcrow]

Were you measuring the gravity at 20c both times?

 

[foxy]

I made an AIPA today with the following
5.5kg of pale malt
550g carapils
350g Crystal light

45g Chinook 60 minutes
21g centennial 5 minutes

Dry Hop
100g Citra dry hop
63g centennial

The expected pre boil gravity per brewfather was given at 1.054 which I thought was a bit high. The bigger issue is that my pre boil gravity was 1.020! The expected OG was 1.061 and I was worried through the whole boil that I wouldn't come anywhere near that based on the pre boil. I ended up with an OG of 1.055.

I have checked through my previous brews and my expected and actual pre boils have been either by on the nose or very close. Any ideas on the issue here ?

I think it was a mistake taking your pre boil reading, it was obviously way out when compared to your post boil gravity. Often if you haven't given it a good stir prior to taking the sample for the pre boil the heavy sugary wort is sitting on the bottom of the kettle.

 

[jayk34]

Were you measuring the gravity at 20c both times?

Yes the pre boil was cooled to 20°C and the post boil taken after wort was chilled.

 

[jayk34]

I think it was a mistake taking your pre boil reading, it was obviously way out when compared to your post boil gravity. Often if you haven't given it a good stir prior to taking the sample for the pre boil the heavy sugary wort is sitting on the bottom of the kettle.

That must be it. I took the reading immediately after fly sparge using a stainless steel baster (is that even a word ). I was pissed off the entire boil thinking I would never reach the expected OG

 

[foxy]

That must be it. I took the reading immediately after fly sparge using a stainless steel baster (is that even a word ). I was ****** off the entire boil thinking I would never reach the expected OG

I think that is the obvious answer, the only other one would be the grain wasn't milled.