forms of extract

When I was at the lhbs the other night I happened to glance at the malt extracts they have (not kits). They sold cans of 3.3 lbs for about $18ish which I'm guessing is pretty average. But then they also had 3 lb bags of malt, which looked like a powder form of extract for pretty much the same price.

Anyone have any experience with using that over the cans? I'm thinking if I do extract for a bit, I could get a couple different bags, as it would be easier to measure out and store compared to cans of extract. Also, is around 3 lbs of extract decent for a batch size?

I've pasted a post by llazy llama, hope it helps. Remember since dry contains no liquid you use 20% less. Think about that when looking at prices.

Extract: Dry (DME) Vs. Liquid (LME) Vs. Canned

Dry Pros:

Stays fresh longer than liquid Easily storable, and easily transferred into separate containers. This comes in handy when using dry extract for starters, or for doing partial late extract additions Available for bulk purchase from most any LHBS and most online stores Easy to clean up any spills

Cons:

Tends to clump when added to wort. This is easily remedied by adding DME slowly and stirring constantly Available in fewer varieties than LME More expensive than LME

Liquid Pros:

Available in many different varieties Smells amazing. So amazing, in fact, that sometimes I'll dab a bit on my upper lip, and just be in a heavenly mood all day Less expensive per pound than DME or canned extract

Cons:

You will at some point, regardless of how careful you are, spill this stuff. It's not too difficult to clean it off a stove top (if you're quick about it) but it will make your floor feel like velcro if left to dry. Clean it ASAP To get every last drop out of your container, you'll need to either dip the container into the boiling wort and pour the run off out, or ladle in boiling wort and pour again. It's not difficult, just be careful not to burn yourself as I do every single time Pours slowly. Remedy this by letting the container soak in hot water for a while to thin it out

Canned Extract Pros:

Can be purchased pre-hopped Can be stored over long periods of time without much degradation of quality Container shape is conducive to the dip and pour method to get out every last little bit

Cons:

Tend to be much lower quality. The difference between canned LME and LME fresh from an LHBS or online is very noticeable Can be purchased pre-hopped. Your guess is as good as mine as to what variety of hops they used to make it, or in what quantity Requires a can opener to open. Not really a big deal, in all honesty Pours slowly. Remedy this by letting the container soak in hot water for a while to thin it out Just like LME, you want to clean up any spills as soon as possible Available in very few varities

I've always preferred dry malt extract over liquid.

If I had to give up either LME or DME, I would have to give up LME. I use DME for starters and to adjust OG in my extract brews. If I wanted to brew a smaller beer I would have to use DME. I prefer to use LME because of cost and I find LME easier to use as long as you don't have to measure out an odd quantity. Every extract beer I make starts with 6lb of LME as the base. Then I add DME if necessary. I have never split LME but have had DME get all over stuff while measuring it.

You can make a low-alcohol session beer with one can. Typically, you'll need two cans for a 5 gallon batch.

Here's a link to a writeup by Ken Schwartz about converting recipes. I know that's not exactly what you are up to, but it really helped me understand the relationships between dry, liquid and grain. He also talks about easy ways figure out how much of either you can combine from different packages to make up the amounts you need.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~brewbeer/extract/pres.pdf

I have always used liquid, mainly because I am lucky enough to have my LHBS carry LME in big drums, they'll pour off whatever you need for your recipe.

I have never bought canned LME and don't think I will any time soon.

My own humble opinon is DME works better for me. If you calculate the real difference in price of LME v. DME with DME use being 80% of LME it comes out to $.21/lb difference between them. With LME being cheaper. But because of the versatility and storage advantages of DME, I go for the DME. I do a lot of small 2 gal batches when I'm experimenting with different beers. The ability to use partial batches out weighs the minor extra cost. Hope this helps.

detlion1643 said:

When I was at the lhbs the other night I happened to glance at the malt extracts they have (not kits). They sold cans of 3.3 lbs for about $18ish which I'm guessing is pretty average. But then they also had 3 lb bags of malt, which looked like a powder form of extract for pretty much the same price.

Anyone have any experience with using that over the cans? I'm thinking if I do extract for a bit, I could get a couple different bags, as it would be easier to measure out and store compared to cans of extract. Also, is around 3 lbs of extract decent for a batch size?

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$18 for 3.3 lbs of LME!!!!! holy CRAP!!! my store sell it for $2.99 a lb making it about $10 for 3.3 lbs!!!! that's highway robbery!!

olhoss said:

My own humble opinon is DME works better for me. If you calculate the real difference in price of LME v. DME with DME use being 80% of LME it comes out to $.21/lb difference between them. With LME being cheaper. But because of the versatility and storage advantages of DME, I go for the DME. I do a lot of small 2 gal batches when I'm experimenting with different beers. The ability to use partial batches out weighs the minor extra cost. Hope this helps.

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Where do you buy DME that is so close in cost to LME? Unless I buy in bulk DME is quite a bit more expensive. I figure $2-3 more per batch using 5lb using DME as the base instead of 6lb LME.

I just went to Midwest Supplies website and looked at their prices and did the calcs. Our LHBS's prices are close to Internet prices so I don't think the price difference would be much more there either.

I come up with $3.32 per batch difference at Midwest between 6lb LME and 5lb DME. Non-bulk price of course.

I know that if you buy bulk DME at some places you can get it cheaper than LME. Honestly I really don't want to deal with bulk extract, right now.

As stated, DME does tend to have better shelf life, but be sure you keep it dry. I use DME exclusively and vacuum bag unused portions and keep in the fridge. It attracts moisture big time and if it gets damp it will form rock hard chunks. These can be dissolved, but it can be tedious.

No doubt vacuum sealing it is the way to go. If you don't, be sure to use it up quick in humid weather.

All this info is awesome. It looks like the ease of storing dme over lme alone is worth it to me. Now, I'm wondering where's a good place to get it from (not bulk), as it seems like approx. $6/lb at my lhbs is high...

detlion1643 said:

All this info is awesome. It looks like the ease of storing dme over lme alone is worth it to me. Now, I'm wondering where's a good place to get it from (not bulk), as it seems like approx. $6/lb at my lhbs is high...

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Yes, $6/lb is a bit high. Austin Homebrew Supply sells a variety of DME's for $4/lb. You can order any quantity you want.

I always used a little DME and canned when making a beer. (I now do all grain)

The EXTRACT loses quite a bit of flavor and aromatics when converted to DME.
I have heard that the off tastes of older canned stuff; will show up if you try to age your beer for a long time.

I recommend what ever method you use,,, at a minimum steep some grain, I used to do at least 1.5 pounds per 5 gallons of beer.

$4/lb for extract is the going rate of one LHBS. My friend and I just ordered 18Lbs from Northern Brewer for $2.25/lb. (We have some big beers coming up).

detlion1643 said:

All this info is awesome. It looks like the ease of storing dme over lme alone is worth it to me. Now, I'm wondering where's a good place to get it from (not bulk), as it seems like approx. $6/lb at my lhbs is high...

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I wouldn't say that LME is difficult to store. I refrigerate mine as soon as it arrives but I doubt I really have to. When I order LME it comes in 1/2gallon jugs just like you would buy milk in.(I order almost exclusively from Midwest and Northern Brewer)

DME will last longer on the shelf but if you don't intend to buy in bulk I doubt it will sit around long.

My LHBS is 5.99/lb for DME but I've been buying it in 50 lb bulk for 2.99/lb. I vacuum sealed the first batch but it was a pain as the dust got EVERYWHERE. My hair was crunchy afterwards.

Next batch I'm going to roll the dice on double bagging it and storing it in a sealed container.

rifraf said:

My LHBS is 5.99/lb for DME but I've been buying it in 50 lb bulk for 2.99/lb. I vacuum sealed the first batch but it was a pain as the dust got EVERYWHERE. My hair was crunchy afterwards.

Next batch I'm going to roll the dice on double bagging it and storing it in a sealed container.

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I put the original bag inside a vacuum bag, roll the lip of the original closed, and then vacuum the outer bag. Lot less crunchy hair that way!

With a giant 50 lb bag of DME?

rifraf said:

With a giant 50 lb bag of DME?

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No typically I order them in smaller easier to handle packages -- just multiple packages. About what I plan to use per batch of beer per package, but end up with some left over. Don't get a bulk discount that way, but sure is easier to handle.

the LME I get from NB is always good, fresh, and makes great beer.

However, if I have to buy local I will go with DME. I don't have a GREAT local source of extract, but the store I go to does have a very nice selection of grain. 2 3lb bags of DME, and build up flavor and color with grains, throw in hops and yeast, easy lol. They even have a grain crusher to use Way more expensive than online, but when I wanna brew NOW, I will support them.