Going all grain

Koryb · Jul 23, 2012

I have a few recipes that I put together with extracts, and they came out awesome, I would like to convert my recipes to all grain, but not real sure on the conversion. Most of my extract brews used 9lbs of LME. For my Porter I used dark LME. What would I use for my base? I used 1lb chocolate and 1lb of Carmel/crystal 60l. I will assume the only thing that will change is the base grain correct?

Now similar question but using light LME, what to convert to?

helibrewer · Jul 23, 2012

Well 2-row pale malt is a good light base grain. It is dependent on style also, i.e. American 2-row, Continentel 2-row, English 2-row. Then there is Munich and Vienna that add a bit of color and a bit more malt flavored influence.

Search the forums all grain recipes and you will get a good idea of what to substitute....or buy Daniels book "Designing Great Beers". It's a superb reference for recipe tweaks/designs.

mikeysab · Jul 23, 2012

Check brewmasters warehouses kits. A lot of recipes they sell come in extract and all grain. Looking at both recipes should give you an idea of how to convert. Brewing Classic Styles also gives you both for each recipe.

RUNningonbrew · Jul 23, 2012

9 lbs LME/ .75 = 12 lbs

I would go with 2 row.
For the porter you could use marris otter

Koryb · Jul 23, 2012

So with my Porter I would use 12 lbs Marris Otter, 1lb chocolate, and 1lb of Carmel/crystal 60l ?

I also brewed a CDA that if it turns out would want to convert, I used 9lbs of light LME , and 5oz of black patent, do give it the dark color. If that turns out I would definately like to send it all grain, and 12lbs of 2 row, plus all the other special grains would covert it correctly?

RUNningonbrew · Jul 23, 2012

LME/0.75
DME/0.6

So if you used 9 lbs of LME then yes 12 lbs of marris otter for porter

RUNningonbrew · Jul 23, 2012

Sorry, yes all the other grains stay the same

Koryb · Jul 23, 2012

Right on!! Thanks, I can't wait get brewing, and see how much a difference it will make.

kylevester · Jul 24, 2012

Go ahead and invest in some brewing software. I use BeerSmith and highly recommend it. You can convert your recipes within the programs (go ahead and round to the nearest quater or more of whatever ingredient) along with so much more.