4.8 vs 5 lbs extract

sportscrazed2 · 11-25-2010, 04:41 PM

I have a recipe calling for 6lbs lme but i bought 5 pounds of dme instead. will it have a noticeable effect if i use it all instead of the 4.8lbs that is 80% of the lme bill

Frodo · 11-25-2010, 04:53 PM

1 lb LME will give you 38 gravity units
1 lb DME will give you 45 gravity units

6 lbs LME x 38 GU = 228 GU total
5 lbs DME x 45 GU = 225 GU total

In five gallons:

228 GU total/5 gal equates to 46 GU/gallon or SG 1.046 in 5 gallons
225 GU total/5 gal equates to 45 GU/gallon or SG 1.045 in 5 gallons

So, not much difference.

giligson · 11-25-2010, 04:55 PM

5lbs DME = 5x1.2= 6lbs LME right?

sportscrazed2 · 11-26-2010, 12:38 AM

yeah that sounds about right but i heard that 1lb lme=.8 lb dme. so 6lbs=4.8 dme. but i have 5 do i really have to measure out 4.8 or can i just add it all?

RIT_Warrior · 11-26-2010, 01:44 AM

Chuck it all in, don't bother measuring for .2lbs. I doubt whoever measured out the 5lbs was careful enough for it to make much of a difference anyway. Enjoy your extra .1% alcohol.

bknifefight · 11-26-2010, 02:05 PM

If you use an extra 0.2 lbs of DME in your beer the universe will reboot. DON'T!

HeavyHandedBrewing · 11-29-2010, 06:26 PM

More is almost always better in beer brewing. In your case, the "more" is a small amount, and will not make a big difference.