Loss of liquid from all grain mash

PirateShiner

Hey all, my first all grain mash fermented fine and is ready to go. I strained off the grain and found that I lost about 2-2.5 gallons of liquid due to absorption. How to if make up for the last wort? Should I just add some water?
Thanks

Twisted-Brick

More details needed to help you.  Type of grain, original mash volume, type of yeast, method of squeezing... SG and FG would be cool too.“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”
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PirateShiner

Guess that would help eh????
I used 12 lbs of malted rye in 5.5 gallons of water with red star yeast, the bulk bakers yeast from Costco. I squeezed the bad gently by hand when I strained it. And no sg reading. I forgot

bcook608

I would only add more water if it's needed to submerge a heating element.
Otherwise I would take notes on your next batches and see if it's a constant thing, if it is, you'll just have to adjust your recipe so you end up with the right amount of wort or improve your squeezing by using a press or NEW mop wringer.
AG mashes definitely produce less final yield, but you can justify it by the added complex flavors and smoother finish you get over a sugar wash.- New users start here
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StillerBoy

There's the answer to your lost..
AG need to be squeezed using a mop bucket or apple press or a press of some kind..  grains hold back lots of liquid..  hand squeezing will not do it, especially a "gentle" one..
Mars" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein

8Ball

Squeeze the crap out of it next time.  I usually wind up with about 80% of my total mash volume after squeezing.
+1 Mars

Deplorable

You didnt squeeze enough.
From a mash of 50# of grain in 24 gallons of water, I get back 22.5 gallons after squeezing it dry with a mop wringer. Then I let the murky wort settle and clear. That clears out to about 3 gallons of custard and I get about 19 to 20 gallons for the still.Use all your senses, and its not that hard. You just have to pay attention.
Procrastinate, you'll make better whiskey.

PirateShiner

Thanks for the help guys!

Jstroke

You know that saying about a long enough lever and moving the world—go apply that logic and if possible multiply it.If in doubt leave it out.

StillerBoy

No need to have that amount of lost D..
Run that custard through a geotex fabric and retain 90% of liquid from it..
When I do an AG i have less than half gal lost by pressing (apple press) and filtering the press shit through the fabric..  a little more effort but no lost..
Mars" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein

Deplorable

No need to have that amount of lost D..
Run that custard through a geotex fabric and retain 90% of liquid from it..
When I do an AG i have less than half gal lost by pressing (apple press) and filtering the press shit through the fabric..  a little more effort but no lost..
MarsI've thought about that on more than one occasion. Now, with all the aging stock I have on the shelf, I find myself wondering just how much more efficient I can get before I reach a point of diminishing returns. It'd be nice to stretch another quart or two of final blend from each mash and keep two  full gallons from each ferment. My last ferment I got 7 quarts at 60% after cuts. Cool, slow, happy, ferments, and plenty of time between process steps pays big dividends in final yield.Use all your senses, and its not that hard. You just have to pay attention.
Procrastinate, you'll make better whiskey.

Big-River

No need to have that amount of lost D..
Run that custard through a geotex fabric and retain 90% of liquid from it..
When I do an AG i have less than half gal lost by pressing (apple press) and filtering the press shit through the fabric..  a little more effort but no lost..
MarsMars is that weed stop material or something else? You filter the custard through it?  Could I make a filter and press through my mop press? Thx