monty3777

Recipes 

I have found some pretty interesting threads on steeping grains. I have typically steeped the grains for 30 mins @ 155* in 2 gallons of water as per LHBS advise. I see alot of people on the board take it to 170*.

For the sake of some conversation, I just bought the book Extreme Brewing by Sam Calagione. In his recipes he suggests steeeping in 4 1/2 gallons (for a 5 gallon batch) until 170* then removing the bag. This seems like a short time to steep. Thoughts?

Revvy

Recipes 

On a typical electric stove...taking 4.5 gallons to 170, would be over 30 minutes, maybe even closer to 45- 1 hour anyway...at least in my experience...So he's in the typical ballpark...

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monty3777

Recipes 

Do you think it would work if I did 2 gallons to 170* or would the extra time it takes to bring 4 gallons (my OP had a misprint) to that temp is necessary in order to fully steep the grains?

Either way - it is really fun to see how different this process can be and still work out. I am only now realizing that I need to mellow out and enjoy the process - and the variety of approaches - of making beer.

brewt00l

Recipes 

4 gallons is likely pretty dilute for the typical amount of specialty grains used for steeping, just something to consider as many folks will tell you that if your steeping volume is too great, you will run the risk of extracting tannins in addition to the color and flavor you're shooting for:


"In order to get the colors and flavors you want from your specialty grains, without extracting excess tannins, you need to do one of two things — either steep in a small amount of water or in weak wort. A small amount of water means 1–3 qts. of water per pound of grains (2.1–6.3 L/kg). If you steep in a larger volume than that, add malt extract until the specific gravity is over 1.010 before adding the grains. And finally, rinse with a very small amount of water — 0.5–1 qts. of water per pound of grain steeped (1–2 L/kg) works well (see “Steeping,” in the May–June 2005 issue of BYO for more on this topic)."
BYO - 10 Steps to Better Extract Brewing