Can i mix C10 an C20 to make C15?
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knuckleheadbrewing
Well-Known Member
It will probably tase like Crystal 10 and 20 mixed...It may look similar, and it will probably work, just fine...but it wont be 15L..But it's close! 
Go for it!
Go for it!
TopherM
Well-Known Member
Color-wise, it'll be right on. Flavor wise, it will be just slightly off, but probably not even noticable.
The 10, 15, 20 refers to how many minutes the grain was roasted, so the Crystal 10 is just two-row that was roasted for 10 minutes, etc.
So, the characteristics are then a function of the amount of caramelization of the sugars in the malt. More roasting = more caramelization. When you are talking about grains that were only roasted for 10-20 minutes, they are contributing much more color than flavor, so you will be absolutely fine.
The 10, 15, 20 refers to how many minutes the grain was roasted, so the Crystal 10 is just two-row that was roasted for 10 minutes, etc.
So, the characteristics are then a function of the amount of caramelization of the sugars in the malt. More roasting = more caramelization. When you are talking about grains that were only roasted for 10-20 minutes, they are contributing much more color than flavor, so you will be absolutely fine.
iaefebs
Well-Known Member
The 10l, 15l, 20l, refer to color and not roasting time.
Yea, it should be fine. Iafebs is right- the numbers refer to lovibond color ratings.
You'll get something very close in color to a beer made with C15, but the taste won't be exact. I'd call it definitely close enough. I do this all the time, because most LHBS don't carry the full compliment of 5 degree crystals. You want to make sure you use two crystals very close in color though, because obviously the flavor differs a lot as the color changes. You might get the right color by mixing C10 and C80 instead of an intermediate crystal, but the flavor will be totally off- you'll have the dark fruit and burnt sugar flavors of the C80 and the caramelly-sweetness of C10.
You'll get something very close in color to a beer made with C15, but the taste won't be exact. I'd call it definitely close enough. I do this all the time, because most LHBS don't carry the full compliment of 5 degree crystals. You want to make sure you use two crystals very close in color though, because obviously the flavor differs a lot as the color changes. You might get the right color by mixing C10 and C80 instead of an intermediate crystal, but the flavor will be totally off- you'll have the dark fruit and burnt sugar flavors of the C80 and the caramelly-sweetness of C10.
I do it all the time. Go for it.
# 10 refers to the color not the time roasted, but crystal is not always 2 row. A lot of the breiss crystal is 6 row
Mikethepoolguy
Well-Known Member
The answer is no, it is not the same, but you will be just fine. Go for it. But don't think you can substitute 3 lb of C10 for .5 lb C 60, it doesn't work like that.
