Mashing vs steeping

[Robbrew]

Okay so I know mashing is to release certain enzymes for fermentation and steeping is extracting the already created sugars right? Does each step occur at a different time I.e. mashing then take those grains out and add specialty grains to steep? Essentially we are creating a wort to add the hops too?
Some one clear this up for me!

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

when you mash, you use base malt and specialty grains. the base malt has enzymes that convert starch to fermentable sugars. when you steep specialty grains, you're getting color and flavor only, you then add extract to get your fermentables.

 

[Robbrew]

That makes sense how long do you steep and mash?

 

[Yooper]

That makes sense how long do you steep and mash?

Steeping is like making tea- 20 minutes or so should do it.

For mashing, you do it as long as it takes to get conversion. You can use iodine to test for conversion, but if you don't want to do that, a good guestimate is 60 minutes as most would be converted by then.