how to improve mash efficiency

[Ayres30]

I'm having trouble getting consistant results in my mash efficiency. My range is between 48% to 70% sugar pull from the grains, mostly around 55%. I'm looking for ways and or techniques to improve my results.

 

[LarryBrewer]

When you say mash efficiency, do you mean conversion efficiency?

See here for how we define the terms:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/faq/#brewsessions5


In general for conversion efficiency, the main things are:

• A good crush (my mill is set to a 0.40" gap).
  Make sure temperature is in the right range (154F for 60-90 minutes should do it), this relies on having calibrated thermometers.
  Mash pH could be a factor depending on the water and grain you are using, that is a fairly involved subject.
  Accurate hydrometer readings (make sure to correct for sample temperature and calibration, which our tools do).

After that, efficiency declines based on water losses to grain absorption, dead space, etc. Conversion efficiency should be above 95% consistently, and I often get 100%.

 

[chessking]

I recently found that my dial thermometer was 7 deg high. For several batches lately I have shot past my calculated FG and finished too low. After finding this error I now believe I have been mashing at the low end of the sacrification range. I don't bother calculating mash efficiency, but I'm sure it was effected, as was my hydrometer temperature correction.
After fixing my thermometer, my latest batch was dead nuts on.

 

[LarryBrewer]

Yep, calibrating every 3-6 months is a good idea.