Hi all - Been working on deconstructing the extract brewing process to fit it in my busy life (demanding job and 4 kids under 4 years old). It makes me tired just typing that... Anyway, I can still fit a brew day in about every 3 weeks on a Sunday. Here's what I'm doing to fit it in.
Between 12-2 (naptime) - I steep specialty grains (150 F for 30 min) and dissolve approximately 1/2 of my extract in about a gal or so warm water. Set up kettle, propane burner, make star san solution, fill kettle with approximately 4.5 gal of water, pull out any other necessary equipment, etc. I do 6 gallon boils so the water amount between the steeping grains, extract, and kettle vary but always total 6 gallons in sum.
Between 4-6 (older kids go to church program) - Fire up the propane burner before I shuttle the kids off. By the time I return the water is 180 F or so. I run into the house and grab the two "mini worts" (one pot with the wort from steeped grains and one pot with the dissolved extract) and dump those into the kettle. Get to boil, add hops per schedule, add remaining extract, etc. Chill with combo ice bath and immersion chiller (I live in Florida). Pull out chiller and cover with sanitized lid.
After 8 (post everyone's bedtime routine) - check wort temp (kettle is still in ice bath), hydrometer read, re-hydrate yeast. Pour wort into primary, aerate, pitch. Clean up.
The biggest question I have is there any issue steeping the grains early and then using them cold after a couple hours? Then the general question of is what I'm doing efficient? Can I do things more efficiently?
Would love to get any feedback!
Thanks!
Between 12-2 (naptime) - I steep specialty grains (150 F for 30 min) and dissolve approximately 1/2 of my extract in about a gal or so warm water. Set up kettle, propane burner, make star san solution, fill kettle with approximately 4.5 gal of water, pull out any other necessary equipment, etc. I do 6 gallon boils so the water amount between the steeping grains, extract, and kettle vary but always total 6 gallons in sum.
Between 4-6 (older kids go to church program) - Fire up the propane burner before I shuttle the kids off. By the time I return the water is 180 F or so. I run into the house and grab the two "mini worts" (one pot with the wort from steeped grains and one pot with the dissolved extract) and dump those into the kettle. Get to boil, add hops per schedule, add remaining extract, etc. Chill with combo ice bath and immersion chiller (I live in Florida). Pull out chiller and cover with sanitized lid.
After 8 (post everyone's bedtime routine) - check wort temp (kettle is still in ice bath), hydrometer read, re-hydrate yeast. Pour wort into primary, aerate, pitch. Clean up.
The biggest question I have is there any issue steeping the grains early and then using them cold after a couple hours? Then the general question of is what I'm doing efficient? Can I do things more efficiently?
Would love to get any feedback!
Thanks!