MrDanders

Recipes 

When steeping speciality grains for an extract + recipe, is it better to squeeze the grain bag or to just let it sit and drain on a stainer and rinse? Are you risking adding too many particulates, proteins, etc. from the grains if you squeeze out the bags on rinsing, and thus detracting from final clarity? Or if you avoid squeezing, are you missing out on some good flavors?

What is the consensus out there?

Beerrific

Recipes 

IMO you should not squeeze. Just hold the bag above the pot and let as much of water run out as possible. If you squeeze you risk getting tannins in the brew, leaving your beer with a astringent taste/mouth feel.

TheJadedDog

Recipes 

I've seen a lot of books state that squeezing can result in tanin extraction and off-flavors. I usually put my grains in a strainer to let them drain back into the brew kettle. I also sparge with 1/2 gallon of 150deg water.

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Ryanh1801

Recipes 

I did on my first batch, After i did it i though man i probably should have not done that. I will never do it again thats for sure, but i did not have any off flavors in my beer.

BarleyWater

Recipes 

I have also heard that it is a bad idea to squeez, because it squeezes out tannins. I steep for 20 minutes or so and sparge with 150-170 degree water. If there isn't much grain, you probablt aren't risking much, but it isn't a good idea, and will probably do more harm from tannin than good from more flavor (which won't be good flavor).

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EvilTOJ

Recipes 

Here's my own anecdotal experience. I've steeped about a dozen times, and the last six brews I steeped, I would squeeze the grainbag. I've never gotten astringency from squeezing the grainbag or the hop bag after boiling. However, if you still feel leery about it, do what ilikestuff says and sparge at least a gallon of 170º water through the grainbag while it sits in a colander over the boil pot.

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homebrewer_99

Recipes 

Do not squeeze the bag.

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JnJ

Recipes 

John Palmer says to squeeze it. I've done it a few times and noticed no difference.

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Flyin' Lion

Recipes 

I've squeezed my back and had no astringency so far.

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brewt00l

Recipes 

Palmer says it's ok to squeeze....lots of sites say never squeeze. I have squeezed in the past (don't use a grain bag anymore) and can't say that I found negative effects from tannins in the end product.