Need Anvil Foundry 6.5 Mash Input. Actually Liquor to Grist Ratio question

Brewing Processes
1

I’m using the sparge method. Not, BIAB, not no sparge.

While I am familiar/comfortable with my 10-gallon electric brewery, the Anvil Foundry 6.5 is completely new to me.

Trying to learn/understand the Anvil instead of just “jumping in” and brewing.

Background: The Anvil Foundry 6.5 “Sparge Method” chart lists 4 pounds of grain using 2.8 gallons (same as 11.2 quarts) of strike water when using 120 V to 8 pounds of grain using 3.3 gallons (same as 13.2 quarts) of strike water when using 120 V.

Question: Why does the Anvil chart use a declining Liquor to Grist Ratio from 4 to 8 pounds? For example, at 4 pounds, 2.8 gallons strike water the Liquor to Grist Ratio (quarts/pounds of malt = 11.2/4) = 2.875. However, the 8 pounds, 3.3 gallons strike water the Liquor to Grist Ratio (13.2/8) = 1.65.

I really expected the Liquor to Grist Ratio to remain constant unless I decided to change the mash thickness.

Is this due to the amount of space available in the Anvil’s “mash pipe”? More grain means less space for water? IDK.

I have found online others complaining about their Anvil Foundry mash efficiency suffering when using higher grain amounts. Perhaps, the poor mash efficiencies are due to the smaller Liquor to Grist Ratio?

Thoughts?

Thanks.

2

I have the 10.5 gal. I don’t know answers to your specific questions, but regardless of ratio, wort recirculation improves efficiency, shortens total mash time, and captures most solids within the pipe. Quick conversion and clear wort! I found that manual recirculation helps but Anvil’s recirculation pump gives amazing results. I now get 70% mash efficiency with no sparge at chart-recommended liquor volume and that’s good enough for me.

6.5 Gallon / 10.5 Gallon Foundry Recirculation Kit - Anvil

( Anvil equipment mast now be ordered through MoreBeer.com )