In this hobby, as soon as someone starts asking questions about their brewing process the first thing they realize is how important the mash process is. Forums are flooded with questions on the mash process. And before anyone can help with that process they need to know all the numbers associated with your mash process.
Because BS lets the user control the BH Efficiency they lose control over the critical mash efficiency. The predicted results shouldn't be from the generic BH efficiency but instead driven from the mash efficiency which sets the tone for the rest of the process. Mash efficiency is such a key component it deserves to be the value you enter yourself and not something that is backed into.
If mash efficiency were entered by the user I think it would also make sense to bring the other variables related to the mash forward so the user can see them. This includes all the factors that go into the mash efficiency calculation. The points for each recipe can easily be calculated by they are hidden. A user should be able to see the max points for each recipe. Estimated volumes and gravity values should also include the efficiency numbers along side. This can show the user how inaccurate volume calculations will offset the gravity estimates.
The only argument I can see in using BH efficiency is making it easier for the new user. I would disagree with this argument. The software is confusing enough and to be honest, it is much easier to understand how the numbers work when you limit their impact to the formula. Explaining what a typical mash efficiency value might be is easier to understand than explaining the sweeping effect that BH efficiency will have. Plus, if the user keeps brewing, it makes it easier to get help and figure things out if they start with mash efficiency.
If you can't tell I'm very frustrated today because I'm trying to fix issues I'm having with mash efficiency with my new system and not being able to get a clear handle on the mash efficiency variable are is driving me crazy. I even went so far as to calculate the max potential of my latest recipe and tried to use the measured gravity and volume amounts to match what BS told me and it didn't work. The difference was 3% but it should have been exact. The only thing i can figure is the BH efficiency was messing things up.
Because BS lets the user control the BH Efficiency they lose control over the critical mash efficiency. The predicted results shouldn't be from the generic BH efficiency but instead driven from the mash efficiency which sets the tone for the rest of the process. Mash efficiency is such a key component it deserves to be the value you enter yourself and not something that is backed into.
If mash efficiency were entered by the user I think it would also make sense to bring the other variables related to the mash forward so the user can see them. This includes all the factors that go into the mash efficiency calculation. The points for each recipe can easily be calculated by they are hidden. A user should be able to see the max points for each recipe. Estimated volumes and gravity values should also include the efficiency numbers along side. This can show the user how inaccurate volume calculations will offset the gravity estimates.
The only argument I can see in using BH efficiency is making it easier for the new user. I would disagree with this argument. The software is confusing enough and to be honest, it is much easier to understand how the numbers work when you limit their impact to the formula. Explaining what a typical mash efficiency value might be is easier to understand than explaining the sweeping effect that BH efficiency will have. Plus, if the user keeps brewing, it makes it easier to get help and figure things out if they start with mash efficiency.
If you can't tell I'm very frustrated today because I'm trying to fix issues I'm having with mash efficiency with my new system and not being able to get a clear handle on the mash efficiency variable are is driving me crazy. I even went so far as to calculate the max potential of my latest recipe and tried to use the measured gravity and volume amounts to match what BS told me and it didn't work. The difference was 3% but it should have been exact. The only thing i can figure is the BH efficiency was messing things up.