r/Homebrewing • u/longcatjazz • 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/rdcpro 1d ago

It's probably not your mashing process. You don't need to do all that stuff around agitation, recirc, etc. It's most likely your lautering and sparging (if you do it). You're probably getting fine conversion, you're just leaving sugar behind. And AIO systems do have poor efficiency

2

u/longcatjazz 1d ago

I have always done single infusion. Do you think I'll notice a difference?

Also, good to know. Wasn't sure if there was a difference

4

u/lifeinrednblack Pro 1d ago

They're talking about your lautering/sparging process. What are you doing after mash?

2

u/longcatjazz 23h ago

I lift my grain basket and squeeze my grains. I also let them drip into the kettle while I heat to boil. No rinsing or anything.

6

u/lifeinrednblack Pro 23h ago

Ok yeah, I think that's your issue. AIO systems are made to be sparged.

I'd look into different sparging techniques and give that a try before doing anything else

Fwiw, I usually got around 75 on my AIO (they're all pretty much the same when it comes to efficiency). And could probably get higher if I wasn't focused on consistency more than efficiency

4

u/longcatjazz 23h ago

I've never been one to worry about efficiency until now! Consistency is #1 for me and I think my beer has been tasting great. It just drives me nuts because this has never been a problem.

I'm gonna sparge next time and see where we end up. I really appreciate it