# Creating a new recipe

{% hint style="info" %}
**Before you start:** For the most accurate calculations, [set up your equipment profile](https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/setting-up-your-equipment-profile) first. You can also start from an existing recipe by browsing the [Library](https://docs.brewfather.app/library) or [importing recipes](https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/import-recipes) from another brewing tool.
{% endhint %}

This guide walks you through creating a recipe from scratch in Brewfather, from naming your beer to finalizing your ingredients and profiles.

## Step 1: Open the Recipe Designer

Click the menu button in the lower right of the recipes page and click **Add recipe**! or click the + icon on the top toolbar of the recipes page.

![](https://771697612-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LEzhWP2LGeXaKgS2qr4%2F-LFS44O_kz49dLK0TnqD%2F-LFS45tWvB5eKiw9sDJQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=676fb466-1478-48d5-97d0-2a1b3b91d9f0)

This opens the [Recipe Designer](https://docs.brewfather.app/recipes/designer), where you will build your recipe step by step.

## Step 2: Enter Recipe Details

Start by filling in the basic information at the top of the designer:

1. **Name** — Give your recipe a descriptive name (e.g., "Citra Smash IPA")
2. **Author** — Enter your name or brewery name
3. **Type** — Select the brew type from the dropdown:
   * **All Grain** — Full mash with grain
   * **Partial Mash** — Combination of grain and extract
   * **Extract** — Malt extract based

## Step 3: Set Your Equipment Profile

Select the equipment profile that matches your brewing setup. This determines batch size, efficiency, boil-off rates, and loss volumes.

* Click **Change Equipment Profile** to select from your saved profiles
* If you have not set up an equipment profile yet, see [Setting Up Your Equipment Profile](https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/setting-up-your-equipment-profile)
* Click **Scale** to adjust the recipe to a different batch size
* Click **Boil Time** to set the length of your boil (typically 60 minutes)

The equipment profile affects all calculated values in the recipe, so it is important to set this before adding ingredients.

## Step 4: Choose a Style

Click **Change Style** to pick a beer style from the supported style guidelines (BJCP, Brewers Association, and others). Selecting a style provides target ranges for OG, FG, IBU, SRM/EBC, and ABV — shown as shaded areas on the value sliders so you can see at a glance whether your recipe is within style.

You can also skip this step and brew without a style guideline.

## Step 5: Add Fermentables

The fermentables section is where you build your grain bill (or extract additions):

1. Click the **Add** button to open the fermentable selector
2. Search for a malt by name — results include your inventory and Brewfather's built-in database
3. Click a fermentable to add it, then set the **amount** (weight)
4. Repeat to add more fermentables

As you add fermentables, the **Pre-Boil Gravity**, **Original Gravity (OG)**, and **Color** values update in real-time at the bottom of the section.

**Useful tools:**

* **Percentage mode** — Click the percentage button to set fermentable amounts as percentages of the total grain bill, rather than absolute weights
* **Scale to OG** — Click the OG button to scale all fermentables to hit a target Original Gravity

## Step 6: Add Hops

1. Click the **Add** button in the Hops section
2. Search for a hop variety
3. Set the **amount**, **use** (Boil, Dry Hop, Whirlpool, etc.), and **time**
4. Repeat for additional hop additions

The **Total IBU**, **BU:GU ratio**, and **RBR** (Relative Bitterness Ratio) update in real-time as you adjust.

* **Scale to IBU** — Click the IBU button to automatically scale your boil hop additions to hit a target IBU value

## Step 7: Add Miscellaneous Ingredients (Optional)

Add water chemistry additions, spices, fining agents, yeast nutrients, or other extras:

1. Click the **Add** button in the Miscellaneous section
2. Search for the ingredient
3. Set the amount, use (Mash, Boil, Primary, Secondary, Bottling), and time

## Step 8: Add Yeast

1. Click the **Add** button in the Yeast section
2. Search for your yeast strain
3. Set the amount (number of packages or grams)

Click the **Calc** button to open the [Yeast Calculator](https://docs.brewfather.app/tools/yeast-calculator), which helps you determine the correct pitching rate and whether you need a starter.

## Step 9: Set Mash Profile

Click **Change Mash Profile** to select a mash schedule. Brewfather includes common presets:

* **Single Infusion** — A single mash step (most common for modern brewing)
* **Step Mash** — Multiple temperature steps
* **Custom profiles** you have created

You can also edit the mash steps directly by clicking the edit button. The estimated values update as you make changes.

## Step 10: Set Fermentation Profile

Click **Change Fermentation Profile** to select a fermentation schedule with temperature steps and durations. You can set:

* Primary fermentation temperature and duration
* Secondary / conditioning (if applicable)
* Cold crash temperature and duration
* **Carbonation** — Set your target CO2 volumes for packaging

## Step 11: Review Water Volumes

The Water section at the bottom shows calculated water volumes for each stage:

* Mash water volume
* Sparge water volume
* Pre-boil volume
* Estimated mash pH

Click the **Calc** button to open the [Water Calculator](https://docs.brewfather.app/recipes/water-calculator) for detailed water chemistry adjustments.

## Step 12: Save Your Recipe

Click the **Save** button at the top of the designer to save your recipe. Your recipe now appears in the [Recipes](https://docs.brewfather.app/recipes) list and is ready to brew.

## Next Steps

* **Brew it** — See [Your First Batch](https://docs.brewfather.app/getting-started/your-first-batch) to learn how to start a batch from your recipe
* **Fine-tune** — Revisit the designer at any time to adjust ingredients and profiles
* **Share it** — Use the Menu > Share option to generate a link others can view
* **Export it** — Export as PDF, BeerXML, or Brewfather JSON from the Menu

> Tip
>
> As you make changes in the designer, all predicted values (OG, FG, IBU, SRM, ABV) update in real-time. Use the style guideline shading on the sliders to keep your recipe within the target range for your chosen style.