How do you know when sugars are converted?

[peilhauer]

Hi All,

Long time extract brewer and even longer time HBT post lurker. I'm going to do my first all-grain soon, and had a very (possibly) stupid question. How do you know when your sugars have been converted? Do you just mash for 60 min and assume, based on temp and grain bill, that it will convert? Or is there a way to test during the mash process whether sugars have converted?

Thanks.

 

[BuffaloSabresBrewer]

Try the iodine test.

 

[peilhauer]

And what if you're so new to this you don't have an iodine test?

 

[Baldy_Beer_Brewery]

I mash for 60 minutes and use iodine after that to check for starches.

Edit: just pick up some iodine at the pharmacy. It will turn black if you put a few drops of wort in and there are still startches present.

 

[Revvy]

If you use iodophor as your sanitizer...then you already have iodone...

Here's a good thread talking about the idodine test.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/iodine-test-81728/

and info from our wiki Iodine test - Home Brewing Wiki

 

[peilhauer]

Nope, b-brite. Looks like I'll just be guessing/hoping.

I like the pharmacy idea, actually, might try that.

 

[jay4e]

First conversion is generally done in 30 min but mashing for an hour gives you more of a gaurentee. Just keep your temp up for 60min and you'll be fine as long as you have enough base grain. Keep none base grains under 20% is a good general rule.

Other than the iodine test the best way to know is a high finish gravity. Course by the time you find out its to late for that batch.

 

[boo boo]

Iodine is the way to go to check for conversion, but IMO it isn't really worth the time to do.
I haven't done on in a while now as it isn't nesessary. You'll get conversion if you mash at the correct temps and time. Always.