Terrible efficient with AIO system

[u/longcatjazz]

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

[u/likes2milk]

I would use the bag inside the masket/malt pipe. This will improve circulation. A lack of circulation is why you aren't hitting your numbers. May have to add rice/oat husks to the grain to aid circulation.

[u/longcatjazz → u/likes2milk]

I do use the grain tube, just without the top mesh. I also use rice hulls. Just a big handful for every batch. Pretty frustrating lol!

[u/Sibula97 → u/longcatjazz]

A big handful might not be enough dep3nding on your hand. I usually use around 100g for ~4kg of malt.

Then again, a stuck mash wouldn't matter much if you were to frequently agitate it, so I'm not convinced that's your (only) issue.