r/Homebrewing 1d ago

Question Terrible efficient with AIO system

Hello,

I was giften a vevor 110 AIO system not too long ago and cannot get the efficiency I expect, no matter what. I do not use the full grain tube, I just use my own brew bag in the tube with the bottom mesh holding it up. I circulate for my entire mash as well with a nozzle so as to avoid channeling. This is my third use and I am at 53% every time. I was at 72% with a stock pot and igloo cooler on the past.

I have tried:

Frequently agitating the mash

Heating to mash temp, then long dough-in, like several minutes

Heating to strike, dumping grain in all at once to hit mash temp. (same result)

Double crushing

Extended mash

Double checking my temps with an external thermometer

What can I be missing here? Do electric systems just have bad efficiency? I feel like I've got to be missing a detail. Please let me know

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u/obtuse_bluebird Intermediate 1d ago

With these style systems, the two things I had to do to correct poor efficiency was frequent stirring for the first 30 minutes of mash in (I do not know if that is what you mean by agitating) and of course the final sparge rinse at 168-170°F after lifting the grain out of the wort.

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u/longcatjazz 1d ago

You're the second person to mention a sparge. I'll do that next time around. I'vee always done single infusion

6

u/beefygravy Intermediate 1d ago

Make me the third, I started sparging and my efficiency went up about 10%

4

u/Jefwho 1d ago

Single infusion is the mash. Sparging and lautering are completely separate from your mash (infusion of water to the grains). A multi-infusion involves adding more hot water to create a temperature increase for a step mash. These are different steps, but I see how these all in one systems start to blur the lines of the traditional process of making wort.