Not getting correct colour.

[JD]

Did a brew before Christmas with 5.5kg Maris Otter, 0.75kg Light Munich and 0.3kg of Crystal 10. The target colour was 7.7L according to BrewPal. 

I got something more like 18L after boil. Not quite as dark as, say, Hobgoblin, but close. More an ESB than a pale ale. I'm hoping to get lighter colours but so far, no joy.

I boil with electric elements, by the way, and I boil for 60mins.

I suspect the problem is caramelisation with the other option I'm aware of is the Maillard reactions. Not sure how I can control these though?

Any ideas as to why light coloured recipes darken so much and what, if anything, I can do about it?

/J

[nigel_c]

I'd double check all numbers in your software. Make sure both ingredients and software are using the same units.

[Ciderhead]

I think you are reading a little much into that, what volume did you start finish with? how many elements you using and what strength? I think tube is right its caramelisation

[Ciderhead]

I'd double check all numbers in your software. Make sure both ingredients and software are using the same units.

I just ran it through beersmith and got equivalent EBC, take a picture in a glass with torch for us against a white background?

[DEMPSEY]

You say you got 18L after boil,was that the volume you had in your software. 

[Ciderhead]

You say you got 18L after boil,was that the volume you had in your software. 

Lovibond colour I think Dempsey

[DEMPSEY]

misread what the L he was talking about.

[rukkus]

Do you sparge? I tend to come out with a darker color and very full body due to not sparging.

[marceldesailly]

to my mind there are two possibilities.
1. its not 10L crystal.
2. lots of caramelisation.

Obviously I don't know your set up but even on mine with a lot of evaporation and vigorous boil such a colour change would seem unlikely.  However, darker crystals add colour v quickly even in small amounts. I'd check its def 10L crystal.
(or there was some stout left in the FV!)

[JimmyM]

Crystal colours got me for a while back when i started.
I was wondering why i kept ending up with "porters"
Im sure someone as thorough as JD has checked this one already though

[JD]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've reached a point in my brewing where the value of Crystal malt is being questioned. I've developed a dislike for the overly sweet toffee-like results it produces. The next few brews will all be aimed at the lighter end of the colour range and will use the more interesting newer hops. I've used Fuggles, EKG, and Cascade a lot of late and its time for a change. Hence my original concern about colour. 

As to the questions you've raised...

For the batch in question, and because of losses, dead space, trub, etc., I've set up BrewPal with a batch size of 25 litres. I heated 41 litres in the HLT, mashed with half and batch sparged with the rest. I got about 30 litres in the boiler. I finished with 21 litres in the fermenter. 

The Crystal 10L not being Crystal 10L is a possibility but given that I bought it just for the batch in question and from a reputable supplier, I say it's the least likely reason.

Caramelisation is the likely issue, given my setup and the comments of everyone so far. I have a keggle boiler with two 2.2KW elements (Charley Shiels' specials). I use both elements to get from mash temp to boiling and just one for maintaining the rolling boil thereafter.

Any thoughts on managing the caramelisation with the above setup? Any thought on changes to the setup that would help? 

And as for being thorough, well,  sweet talking with get you everywhere   :
/J

[DEMPSEY]

On the issue of receiving the wrong colour crystal,it does happen. I have in the past ordered crystal and got the wrong colour asked for.