Single Malt mast going wrong way!

[Boda Getta]

I put up 30 gals of single malt mash 9 days ago and checked it last night. It was 1.02 (about the best I hope for is 1.0) and figured it would ready to strip today; I checked it around lunch and it was around 1.04. Going the wrong way, any idea on what's going on with this mash?!

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

BG

[brat]

How are you checking your gravity?

[seamusm53]

All measurement techniques result in systematic or random errors. Some more precise instruments have smaller errors - densitometry devices where we use our eyes to do more than just read a number off a screen are inherently less precise in that the result is affected by eyesight and how we hold the device (paralax errors) or ambient/transmitted light. Results from a glass densitometer would rightfully be repeated and the result scientifically be averaged and reported as 1.03 +/- 0.02. So 1.02 and 1.04 are probably the same measurement. I suppose there could be some process (like evaporation) where density went backward but don't think you have a problem here. Most of us don't care to be quite so scientific - we're in too big a hurry to bother.

[still_stirrin]

...Going the wrong way, any idea on what's going on with this mash?!

Been dipping yer finger into the mash, have you?

[Boda Getta]

"How are you checking your gravity?"

Hydrometer and glass tube.

[fizzix]

Well we know it can't go back up, so just credit it to sample error.
I'd just look for a consistent reading over a few days and call 'er done.

[HDNB]

i had a stalled mash with infection go up. it was more like 1.04 to 1.05 though.

is it getting slimey?

was it maybe 10* cooler today?

[brat]

"How are you checking your gravity?"

Hydrometer and glass tube.

I've brewed all grain for many years before I started stilling. And I never had a s.g go up my guess is there was something wrong with that sample. Check it again.

[Saltbush Bill]

Taste it.

[Boda Getta]

Update:
This batch was at 1.003 (by my hydrometer) last night, so I stripped it today and it did great! I estimate after squeezing the grain out I ended up with 25-27 gallons of mash. I did two stripping batches, pitched the fores and ran it into the tails to around 60 proof. I ended up with just shy of 5 gallons of low wines; just checked the proof and it clocked in at 90 proof. The low wine was a little warm so I will re-check it later but I'm expecting it to be +85'ish proof. Given my questions with this mash I am extremely pleased. I will note that although this mash was 100% malted grain I went ahead and used 1/2 the recommended enzyme (.18 ml/lb. grain).

I have some related questions on the spirit run I will post in a separate post.

BG