Gravity too low, want to boost with sugar

[waynethetrain]

I had some issues during the mash (had trouble getting the temp right) and my efficiency was pretty bad. Original gravity was supposed to be 1.063 and came out at around 1.053. Is it OK to use a 1/2 gallon or so of water boiled with Dextrose or DME to give it a sugar boost?

I have 1lb of dextrose and .5lb DME on hand to use, is there a difference?

I've never had to do this before so is there any other advice for attempting this? Will the sudden sugar addition stall (or help) the fermentation?

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

i'd go with the DME over the dex. simple sugar will dry the beer out, boost abc, but offer no flavor. the DME will boost the gravity and flavor the beer.

 

[ACbrewer]

Assuming you have a 5.5 gallon batch, moving it 10 grav points will take 55 points of sugar. .5lb is only 21-22 points (43pnts/lb) Sugar is 45points/lb.

Any how what you need to do is get another 1 lb of DME and put in atleast 1lb of dme, and maybe both 1.5 of them (should be about 65 points in that - or in you 1/2 gallon 130! measured)

Other than how much you need, what Nordeast said about quality... go Malt over sugar.

 

[waynethetrain]

Thanks ACbrewer and NordeastBrewer77 for your help. I'm going to get another pound of DME.