Measurement, Mathematics and Records

1. Water expansion

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   First post by Aces high, 11 years ago

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   Hi all,
   
   I am just trying to calibrate my measuring stick which i use to fill the pot to the correct water volume. Because i often use hot water I was trying to work out how much correction i need.
   
   I found this quote The thermal coefficient of expansion of water is 0.00021 per 1° Celsius at 20° Celsius
   Does that mean that for each degree I multiply initial volume lets say 50L x 1.00021 x the temperature difference above 20 degrees. so for 60 degrees water it would be 50L x 1.00021 x 60. Or...

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   Thanks Pat, I knew i'd seen the conversion somewhere. I should have known it would be in BIABacus
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   Last post by Aces high
   11 years ago
2. Finally I understand why BIAB FULL volume is efficient

   2 Replies 6182 Views

   First post by Epimetheus, 11 years ago

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   It finally clicked into place why BIAB full volume is only slightly lower efficiency than traditional part volume and sparge:
   - The same amount of sugars are present in the traditional high concentration wort as the low concentration BIAB full volume.
   - The sugars lost from BIAB are those not squeezed from the grain bag, but they are low concentration
   - The same sugars are mostly rinsed from the grain during traditional sparging
   - Therefore, you are losing something like 2 to 4 liters of low...

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   Like the way you are thinking Epithemeus :salute:,
   
   As Todd mentioned, the truth is that you should actually get a higher Efficiency into Kettle (EIK) with BIAB than traditional. I don't like putting numbers out on the net unless they are well-researched but here's a few thoughts for you. When I moved to BIAB, my EIK on say a 1.050 brew went up by 5%. I did one side by side of BIAB and three-vessel and this also came up 5% higher.
   
   I actually don't think this is the question you are really...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   11 years ago
3. Efficiency on first BIAB

   16 Replies 14004 Views

   First post by BrewBagMan, 11 years ago

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   Hi,
   
   Just completed first BIAB *woot! Everything seemed to go pretty well. Now I have a bunch of reading and figures, is it possible that I can work out my efficiency? Not to be one who is super caught up in the numbers, however I wouldn't mind, if possible, simply knowing how efficient my brew day was. Just wondering if anyone has a super straight forward explanation how on to calculate this?
   
   Cheers,
   
   Lee :salute:

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   Phew! I thought your post above might ask about the manual efficiency calcs and I don't think my brain is up to that today :lol:.
   
   There is actually a whole thread here on the calcs. If you are a masochist, you'll love it. It might be worth a very quick scan though to see how messy the calculations on a real grain bill can get in all the different systems.
   
   Anyway, have changed the 'Water Used After Final Lauter' to 'Water Added Before the Boil'. Couldn't think of anything else but hopefully it...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   11 years ago
4. biab efficiency

   14 Replies 16688 Views

   First post by uk brewer, 11 years ago

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   i found this on the net ... :thumbs:

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   :lol:
   
   Beer Smith is a good example of what I talked about above - two users having the same program but using it in totally different ways. You will find that some users of Beersmith treat, Batch Size as 'Volume into Fermentor' whilst others treat it as 'End of Boil Volume'. Similarly, some users treat, Brewhouse Efficiency as 'Efficiency into Kettle, or End of Boil Efficiency, whilst others treat it as, 'Efficiency into Fermentor'.
   
   Unfortunately, last time I looked, there were only two...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   11 years ago
5. Thermometers.. I have no idea what my mash temp is

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   First post by deebo, 13 years ago

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   I thought I would do a little test with some thermometers to try and figure out if they are accurate or not.. now I really have no idea.
   (So far I have been using the white thermometer to figure out my mash temp)
   
   Cold (Ice and water)
   
   Mash-ish temp
   
   Boiling water in a cup
   
   Considering there was about a 3 degree difference between the highs and lows in almost every test I have no idea how I am supposed to get an accurate mash temp?

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   Here is mine Temp .
   
   Not cheap but very fast and accurate.
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   Last post by rockbotton
   11 years ago
6. BeerSmith 2 & First Wort Hopping

   23 Replies 32205 Views

   First post by dicko, 12 years ago

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   Hi Folks,
   
   I use BeerSmith2, and as I no chill I offset my hop additions by 15 minutes.
   e.g. BeerSmith Recipe would have an addition at 60 minutes but the actual addition would be done at 45 minutes.
   Based on the principal that the hops stay in hot contact for about 15 mins longer than wort chilling.
   I use pellets and no hop sock.
   
   I would like to try some FWH.
   My understanding is that I can do this after mash out when the bag is raised.
   The crown urn would probably take 15-20 minutes to get to...

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   Sorry HC, I forgot to do the individual IBU's :headhit:. Here you go...
   
   FWH: US Amarillo - 8.9AA% - 16.7 IBUs - 23.4 g at 60 min
   Hop 1: US Amarillo - 8.9AA% - 15.0 IBUs - 21.0 g at 60 min
   Hop 2: US Amarillo - 8.9AA% - 11.6 IBUs - 26.8 g at 20 min
   Hop 3: US Amarillo - 8.9AA% - 1.0 IBUs - 6.9 g at 5 min
   
   Total = 44.2 IBU's (about 13 IBU's higher)
   
   I'll put a note in my post above ;).
   
   :peace:
   PP
   
   P.S. Oh and just to clarify, it is a simple moving of the hops from the end to the beginning - no...
   23 Replies
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   11 years ago
7. Lautering Loss vs Liquor to Grain Ratio

   11 Replies 15912 Views

   First post by stux, 12 years ago

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   I was curious about the shape of Lauter Loss curve as Liquor to Grain ratio changes...
   
   Basically, the Lauter Loss is the largest component of BIAB Efficiency. Your Into Boil Efficiency is
   
   = 100% - Lauter Loss% - Conversion Loss%
   
   Conversion Loss has been set to 1% for this data, ie a Conversion Efficiency of 99%
   
   For Full Volume BIAB the Liquor to Grain Ratio is controlled by the final volume you require, your evaporation and effciency... which is... complicated. But as you increase the OG...

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   I thought I understood that BIAB has an overall lower extraction efficiency than traditional lauter tuns at higher OGs, but your chart seems to say the exact opposite... Yes, I've seen that written a few times. The people who have theorised that (and it is only a theory, assume that once you get past a certain point, there will be advantages in multiple sparges.
   
   There haven't been any experiments done that I have seen. Certainly not enough. I'll probably do one here on either my next double...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   12 years ago
8. Another grain bill question

   1 Replies 4206 Views

   First post by Lylo, 12 years ago

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   Sometimes maybe half? My grain bill required in the volumes section of The Calculator is different from the scaled bill in the grain bill section? Am I doing something wrong sometimes?

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   No, that's fine Lylo and a good question.
   
   I wrote the calculator quite a few years ago and had hoped it would disappear quite quickly. Trying to make it disappear has turned into a major exercise :) .
   
   I'm working on a temporary fix to the calculator now as I can't bear to see it up there for another 6 months :smoke:.
   
   As to your question...
   
   The Grain bill section of the calculator only needs to look at four things, percentages of grains used, the original gravity you want to achieve, your...
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   12 years ago
9. Simple BIAB Calculator

   0 Replies 17009 Views

   First post by mrgstiffler, 12 years ago

   

   I created this simple calculator so that I could get all of my numbers right. I've found that it works extremely well for me. It's easy to use and does only what you need to brew a batch.
   
   Let me know what you think and if there's anything I should add/change.
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   Last post by mrgstiffler
   12 years ago
10. Brewing on Mount Everest (What's your boiling point?).

    12 Replies 12939 Views

    First post by PistolPatch, 12 years ago

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    Just noticed that the boiling point of water on Mount Everest is 68 C or 154 F :shock:.
    
    I wonder how you'd mash a full-bodied beer (70 C) on Mount Everest :scratch:?
    
    Mt Everest is 8,848 m (29,028 feet). What's your elevation and boiling point? (A calculator can be found here ).
    
    What do you think the effects on a beer might be if it has a low temperature boil?

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    Hello.
    I brew at 8200 ft altitude or roughly 2500 meters
    The boiling point temperature of water is 197.015°F (Altitude Corrected)
    The boiling point temperature of water is 91.675°C (Altitude Corrected)
    I like how the calculator uses three decimals, very useful!
    I always have problems to get hoppy beer at this altitude. I heard a podcast about a brewer, also here in Colorado who uses double the amount of hops for his commercial beer.
    Ola
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    Last post by olaboss
    12 years ago
11. Software Variety.

    8 Replies 9309 Views

    First post by Shifter, 12 years ago

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    I did a brew today and used The Calculator , Brewmate and Ian H's designer. I was quite amased as the volumes came out pretty much cock on over the 3 different softwares, the gravity was correct and the brew length although calculated in different ways came out pretty much cock on too, over the 3 varients. I have not embarked yet on efficiency suffice to say it is really good to brew fine drinkable beer in to a keg and be proud! Efficiency can come latter.
    
    Roll on BIABbacus.
    
    I use a Mac and...

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    Thanks Pat
    Ii am really anxious to see it. I know it will be great.
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    Last post by rockbotton
    12 years ago
12. Getting the numbers right

    9 Replies 9057 Views

    First post by Aces high, 12 years ago

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    So to give you a bit of background, I've done about 15 to 20 BIAB's, mainly double batches. Previously i've been using recipes from other people, with really good success. Recently ive gone back to try and learn the basics, so i've started doing some SMASH brews or just single hops with a fairly basic grain bill. Ive got things pretty sussed with my pot and pretty much always hit my numbers.
    
    2 weeks ago I did this recipe below, very basic and easy. I hit my 66 degree temp spot on, but my OG...

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    I wouldn't be worried about this for a second Ace ;),
    
    If it happens again, be on alert but not alarmed :). If it happens three times in a row, then it's worth slowing down and having a good think.
    
    There are way too many variables that can occur on a single brew. The most common one is simply incorrectly weighed grain but the list is endless.
    
    Brew on!
    PP
    
    Kegged this batch on the weekend, it tastes good, just a pretty basic easy drinking summer pale ale.
    
    Did another brew last weekend...
    9 Replies
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    Last post by Aces high
    12 years ago
13. First brew Beersmith confusion.... California Common- Jamil

    15 Replies 14222 Views

    First post by jamieboot, 12 years ago

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    OK, so I just brewed my first BIAB batch- a california common from Jamil's Brewing Classic Styles book (p108-110).
    
    4.53kg pale ale malt
    560g Munich
    450g Crystal 40l
    227g Victory
    57g pale chocolate
    5830g total grain bill
    
    My equipment setup is pretty much the same as the one in the book-and i ordered the stuff before i found this site so I just used the exact amounts copied from the book.
    
    A screenshot of my equipment setup is attached.
    
    Brew details
    
    Water used- 30 litres
    Start of boil volume-...

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    You two guys are quite a team.
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    Last post by Lylo
    12 years ago
14. liquid starters and the calculator

    9 Replies 8896 Views

    First post by jamieboot, 12 years ago

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    Hey guys,
    
    Question for you!
    
    How do you guys deal wuth starters in the calculator.
    
    Say fir example you get 20 litres into the fermenter and then add a 2 litre starter, you wil actually now have 22 litres in the fermenter resulting in a bigger brew length. How do you guys deal with the difference caused by the starter as surely it can mess up your effiecency figures.
    
    Do you just keep the volume into fermenter as 20l and then minus 2 litres worth of beer from the final bottling volume?...

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    I settle the yeast, decant the starter, and only pitch the yeast.
    
    Properly aerated starter beer is nasty oxidized rubbish
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    Last post by stux
    12 years ago
15. BeerAlchemy and BIAB

    17 Replies 18286 Views

    First post by Binoclard, 13 years ago

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    Hi all,
    
    I have discovered, and started to play with BeerAlchemy.
    
    It's really nice, well designed and I have learned quite a few usefull things about brewing just by putting random numbers, changing grain amounts or hop variety, adjusting IBU or ABV sliders, etc. :geek:
    
    That being said, is there any specific adjustments to make to use it with BIAB in mind and get correct numbers?
    
    One thing that bugs me is the initial water volume, as it seems to calculate backward from the pre-boil and...

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    I'm beer alchemy user myself and after numerous times with separate calculations for BIAB i did som quick hacking on a utility software that reads the recipe information from BeerAlchemy and does the BIAB calculations.
    
    If anyone want to give a try please send me a PM.
    But remember this is highly experimental and I got limited spare time so you run it at your own risk.
    
    Thanks to martinJ for this, im having a play at the moment, and will try to get a brew on this week with it and & alchemy as...
    17 Replies
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    Last post by mojonojo
    12 years ago
16. beersmith 2 and AA%

    3 Replies 5642 Views

    First post by samuls35, 12 years ago

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    hi have been doing a lot of playing around with beersmith , i've made my equipment profile and and scaled some recipe and been happy with that but one thing ive had trouble with is adjusting my hop AA% to what i have in the recipe . If i double click the hops in the %/ibu column of the recipe and change the alpha % and click ok it only changes the ibu and not the grams as well . This has had me confused for a while now done a lots of searching around and just cant find the answer
    thanks

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    Unfortunately, that is exactly right samuls. I know BIABrewer brought this up in the beta testing but obviously had no luck in getting it implemented.
    
    This is one of the many reasons why learning the basic BIABrewer.info calculator is a very easy way to go. Despite it's primitive form, it actually does the important stuff very easily.
    
    I haven't had a look at The Calculator in a while as I've been helping with the BIABacus. Maybe we can simplify and dress it up a little bit while we are...
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    Last post by PistolPatch
    12 years ago
17. BeerSmtih 2.0 profile for 72L (19 gallon) pot - correct?

    4 Replies 6678 Views

    First post by gugguson, 12 years ago

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    Hello.
    
    I have a 72L (19 gallon) stainless steel pot which is 45CM in diameter and 45CM in height. I have 4200w element in the bottom (will soon upgrade to 5500W), and I'm using BIAB. Is there something obviously wrong on my BeerSmith 2.0 profile?
    
    Screen Shot 2012-01-09 at 22.19.57.png

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    Yep, this is where we start running into problems unfortunately.
    
    In the BIABacus that is being worked on here, you don't need to set up a different profile for different size brews or brews of different gravities. In all other software, including BeerSnmith2, you need to.
    
    As for your second question, the problems become even more complex. Most programs, if they do scale, do so inaccurately, or even worse, if you don't know the prgram's 'personality' can actually give you totally wrong...
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    Last post by PistolPatch
    12 years ago
18. Maxi-BIAB Calculator 2.0 Draft

    218 Replies 175625 Views

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    First post by stux, 13 years ago

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    AdminNote: This thread has redulted in two separate projects now. Great job, Stux!
    
    I've been working on the Maxi-BIAB Calculator for quite a few months now in this thread
    viewtopic.php?f=89&t=595
    
    Eventually the Maxi-BIAB Calculator grew to the point where it contained an entire updated copy of the original BIAB Calculator The Calculator
    
    Since then, I've updated the Calculator portion to fix most of the hop calculation bugs, grain bill issues and other issues as well as add full...

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    Thanks Pat for the update. I have worked a little with Macros so I understand the issues. It appears there are some great features being built into this spreadsheet and I look forward to the its release.
    
    Thanks to everyone for their hard work on this project.
    rb
    218 Replies
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    Last post by rockbotton
    12 years ago
19. Beer Alchemy—Batch or Fly Sparge

    9 Replies 10104 Views

    First post by de5m0mike, 12 years ago

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    I've been using Beer Alchemy for a little while and I'm trying to get a better understanding of the software and how it works so I can set it up to work better with my BIAB system and the way I brew. Unfortunately it only gives the choice to select Batch Sparge or Fly Sparge . The best I can tell, it doesn't really effect anything other than how the directions are worded when you print off the instructions for a batch.
    
    When choosing Batch Sparge it will say something like:
    Allow the...

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    Sorry Mike, when I saw stux's post above I remembered that you can't adjust it. I should have posted that sorry. Just double-checked on the latest version and it looks like it is still no go. :smoke:
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    Last post by PistolPatch
    12 years ago
20. Volume in the pot

    7 Replies 8030 Views

    First post by Aces high, 12 years ago

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    I want to mark out a ruler to measure what volume of liquid is in the pot and I thought I remembered seeing a formula here, but I can't seem to find it somewhere. My new pot is quite large at 580mm wide but 480mm high so I think I will struggle to get proper accuracy by just adding a litre of water waiting for it to settle and then marking the ruler. The pot has flat sides & bottom which makes thinks a bit easier
    
    Can anyone help please.

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    LOL Lylo :lol:. Now that's one problem I don't think I'm ever going to get here in Western Auatralia :P.
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    Last post by PistolPatch
    12 years ago
21. U.S. measurements Calculator

    25 Replies 21010 Views

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    First post by skunk.grunt, 12 years ago

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    I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find the answer searching or browsing the forum.
    
    Is there a Calculator that has been converted from liters to US Gallons?
    
    If there is a thread for this, a link would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Again, I apologize if this has been asked a gazillion times.

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    Eagerly,it's only Movember!
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    Last post by Lylo
    12 years ago
22. BIAB 2 bag method

    28 Replies 27146 Views

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    First post by olaboss, 12 years ago

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    I should have used missed target OG as a headline :dunno: .
    I am learning and I just learned that you don't leave the lid on when boiling! OK good, I always thought that the calculator was way off on how much water to add in the beginning, but if I take the lid off and boil for 90 min perhaps it will be perfect with the evaporation?
    
    The evaporation rate is something that confuses me. I live at 8200 feet(2500 meter)altitude. Any calculator taking altitude into account?
    
    The beer was going to...

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    So dry-hopping only add aroma?
    That's what they claim. To me it seems to add flavour as well, but smell does have a big effect on taste.
    
    I suspect that floating dry hops would be much less likely to go mouldy than fresh hops. However, since the idea is to liberate the aromatic oils by soaking the hops in the beer, sinking them under the surface allows all of the hops to soak.
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    Last post by paulbigelow
    12 years ago
23. Online Yeast Stepping Calculator

    0 Replies 9807 Views

    First post by stux, 12 years ago

    

    Neat yeast stepped starter calculator
    
    You can enter batch size, og, ale/lager, yeast date/viability and initial cell count (or use defaults) and then it will help you work out your starter size, or steps for a stepped starter
    
    Highly Recommended :)
    
    Uses Growth Rates as documented on the calculator, and matches Mr Malty for Viability data
    
    Development Discussion seems to happen here
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    Last post by stux
    12 years ago
24. FWH and new calc

    2 Replies 4647 Views

    First post by Lylo, 12 years ago

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    Will the new calculator hve an FWH calc?Just wondering.

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    As far as I can see, the real problem is what effect FWH is supposed to have.
    
    I'm of the opinion that FWH is just a hop addition with time=boil time
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    Last post by stux
    12 years ago
25. BIAB Beer Designer

    28 Replies 30529 Views

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    First post by ianh, 13 years ago

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    Hi
    
    Whilst others have been putting forward their efforts I thought it was about time I presented mine. So please find attached copy of my BIAB Beer Designer spreadsheet, obviously still in the development stage and probably has a number of things that need correcting. Would appreciate thoughts and comments.
    
    cheers
    Ian
    
    Please read the notes first
    
    BIAB Beer Designer1.2.xls

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    Just looking at the grains tab their is a potential column
    
    This is equivalent to HWE% and LDK
    
    Ie pppg 1.037 = 80% = 307LDK
    
    I think I got those numbers right ;)
    28 Replies
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    Last post by stux
    12 years ago