Happy new year back at ya ,

Okay, there's a few too many measurements you have here so let's try and reduce them a bit...

1. Strike Water Level.

If you want a double-check on this, you could check it again at mash temperature.

2. Temperature Checks During Strike and Mash

Remember to stir water/mash before any temperature check. Check before and after striking and a few minutes after striking to make sure the temperature has not continued to rise as it will with heavy equipment. After that, on your first brews at least, check the temp again at 30 mins and 60 mins of your 90 minute mash.

3. Volume and Gravity 'Sets'

It is important to take both volume and gravity measurements once the mash is completed. Taking one without the other will not give you enough information.

A. 'Into Kettle': When your sweet liquor comes to the boil, turn your heat off and take a volume and gravity check. (Let your gravity sample cool in a mug covered in wrap in a sink before measuring). These two measurements will be used to determine your 'Efficiency into Boil (EIB)'.

NOTE: The above volume measurement can be quite difficult to measure with much accuracy. It's main purpose is simply to act as an initial efficiency check.

B. 'Ambient Wort': In reality, on most systems, it is difficult or impossible to measure the volume at the end of the boil with any accuracy. FOr example, those with immersion chillers will have those in the boil. Instead concentrate on the following measurements...

Kettle to Fermentor Loss (KFL) - Pour the kettle dregs into a large measuring jug.
Volume into Fermentor (VIF)
Gravity of Ambient Wort (GAW) - Will be the same as OG unless dilutions or BME is added.

NOTE: KFL plus VIF = Volume of Ambient Wort. This and GAW are used to determine your 'Efficiency of Ambient Wort (EAW)'. In theory, this will equal your 'Efficiency into Boil (EIB)'. In reality, you should be quite happy if these are within 5% of each other.

VIF and GAW together give your 'Efficiency into Fermentor (EIF)' which is the least informative efficiency figure.

Entering the Numbers

All of the above volume and gravity numbers can be entered into the BIABacus in Sections L and M. When you do so, Section P will display your various efficiencies.

Be very careful not to get too caught up in numbers. Please read this post on Number Respect and Disrespect.

The main thing we are looking for in measuring actual numbers is to see, over a few brews, whether you have any major problems with your striking temperature, evaporation rate, kettle efficiency and trub losses.


PP