First attempt at all grain - (obvious?) questions!!!!!

[Barny]

New all grain equipment - first use

Followed a recipe - but started to feel 'iffy' at certain points indicated here - *

Wanted 20 litre max. end product (25 litre boiler capacity) Target SG 1010

23 litres of wort from mash and sparge at start of boil. 13 litres usable at end * (lots of sediment), SG 1042 at end - maintained vigorous boil for 90 mins - do I need a bigger boiler/ not boil so long?

Moved to FV quickly * - siphoned from top - leave to cool before moving?

13 litres moved to FV, cooled, pitched packet yeast (Muntons Gold) 6gms* on surface. SG was 1042 and temp at 20. Too much yeast? How to calculate?

Yeast became active 24 hrs later and now 48hrs later has a thick 'brain appearance' SG is 1030 temp is 21.5

Am thinking to leave this a couple more days till SG goes down - but not sure how those more experienced would interpret this

[OldSpeckledBadger]

10 litres sounds a bit high for losses in the boiler. Do a 1 hour test boil using an accurately measured volume of water to see what you actually lose to evaporation then run it out and see what your boiler dead space is. If I had to bet it would be that your hop filter isn't up to the job and clogged up part way through.

BTW Gervin yeast is just repackaged Nottingham. 6g will probably just about do on your 13 litres but it's a bit stingy on longer brew lengths.

[Barny]

Many thanks for your reply - I think I may not have the right kit

The boiler I am using does not have a hop filter just an element at the bottom with a tap (hence why I felt I had to siphon after the boil) would this explain the large loss of liquid - mixed up with the residue?

If it is a kit problem where might I get a 'decent' boiler?

[OldSpeckledBadger]

The boiler I am using does not have a hop filter just an element at the bottom with a tap (hence why I felt I had to siphon after the boil) would this explain the large loss of liquid - mixed up with the residue?

That would explain the high losses.

If it is a kit problem where might I get a 'decent' boiler?

Lots of option. Including possibly adding a hop filter to your existing boiler. The Brewing Equipment sub-forum is the place to look.

[Northern Brewer]

Another option is to use muslin hop bags to contain your hops. These can be bought from home brew shops, or made from knotted muslin dishcloth.

[Barny]

Thanks for muslin option - I have some bags but did not use them

Will do next time