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Capa · 02-08-2006, 08:15 PM

So im standing in my kitchen trying to figure out how to crush my grains and i thought maybe use my coffee bean grinder. Anyone else use this? if not that what else should i use? Rolling Pin?

**Walker** · 02-08-2006, 08:18 PM

you don't want to GRIND them, just crack them open a little bit.

put them in a plastic bag and crush them lightly with the rolling pin or cast-iron frying pan.

-walker

Capa · 02-08-2006, 09:46 PM

Oh alright. Crushing them makes more sense anyhow, thanks

rubble · 02-08-2006, 10:59 PM

There are mills out there that crush the grains perfectly.

http://www.rubblebrewery.ws/brewery/maltmill.html

**RichBrewer** · 02-09-2006, 12:35 AM

The theory is that you crush the grains to release the starches. The husks should remain somewhat whole as they will serve as a filter when the mash is sparged. For steeping, I would say that you would want to do the same. A coffee grinder will make fine particles that would be very hard to remove from the wort.

**Walker** · 02-09-2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichBrewer

A coffee grinder will make fine particles that would be very hard to remove from the wort.

... and probably won't taste all that good.

-walker

Beer Snob · 02-09-2006, 01:42 PM

I used to use a rolling pin, but after seeing how the grinder does it at the homebrew store I don't think it was being grinded enough. You might want to try a small sample in the coffee grinder. Talking just a sigle push of the button. Once you know what a grind is supposed to look like, getting it that way should be easy.

WhatsOnTap · 02-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Not to get off on a tangent, but why do they say not to squeeze the muselin bag with the specialty grains? I sparged with 2 quarts hot water last night but I wanted to SQUEEZE IT! I resisted the urge though, until I took it outside. Nice brown water came out, seems like a waste.

Beer Snob · 02-09-2006, 02:17 PM

If you squeeze it you will release tannins which will produce an off taste. I did the exact same thing you did two nights ago. I just poured water over it till I got the amount of liquid I needed in the brewpot before cooling.

2pugbrews · 02-10-2006, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatsOnTap

Not to get off on a tangent, but why do they say not to squeeze the muselin bag with the specialty grains? I sparged with 2 quarts hot water last night but I wanted to SQUEEZE IT! I resisted the urge though, until I took it outside. Nice brown water came out, seems like a waste.

Gosh, did I goof? I brewed a spiced porter this afternoon with chocolate and black patent malt and rolled oats. I'll swear I read someplace, maybe in Palmer, to squeeze the bag between 2 plates. I've done this a couple time before but I think that the beers turned out alright. What kind of taste would the tannins lend to the brew. Also the oats in the bag with the steeped grains made the leavings real gummy. What do the oats add to the brew?