How much do I bother the grain bag during steep?

[Ike]

So... once my pot has reached steeping temperature and I add the measly little 1-1.5 pounds of grains that came with my partial extract kit from the LHBS, I start the clock for 30 minutes... and immediately begin itching to DO something to that pot.

So, when we talk about "let steep for 30 minutes" does that mean stirring occasionally? Poking the bag with the spoon to move water in and out? Or is it a "don't you DARE touch that bag, let it be!" kind of thing?

THANKS!

Ike

 

[robertus]

It's okay to move the bag around a bit, get some good circulation and make sure everything therein gets wet. Don't have to be particularly careful until it cools to pitching temps. I don't think it reaches the "AND DON'T TOUCH IT" phase until it's in the fermentor.

At least, that's how it works in my house.

 

[Kate00]

I second that it's good to swirl it around a bit. Keep the water circulating and get the most out of the grains.

 

[ZeKeef13]

I hear that it is not good the squeeze the grain bag after you are ready to take it out. Is this true and if so why?

 

[Frilock]

I hear that it is not good the squeeze the grain bag after you are ready to take it out. Is this true and if so why?

The BIABers squeeze their bags all the time, they seem to have no problems. I think the only problem might be if you don't let it cool you could burn your hand? Otherwise no, it will not make your beer sing higher, and it can still have kids.

 

[72hw]

The BIABers squeeze their bags all the time, they seem to have no problems. I think the only problem might be if you don't let it cool you could burn your hand? Otherwise no, it will not make your beer sing higher, and it can still have kids.

Yep - as a BIABer who has more than a few extract batches in my past, stir the pot, poke the bag then squeeze the $hit out of it!

(Hides his hairy palms)

:fro:

 

[MaxStout]

I hear that it is not good the squeeze the grain bag after you are ready to take it out. Is this true and if so why?

Urban legend. Squeezing the grain bag does not add tannins. Excessively high mash temps (>170F) and/or high mash pH is what does it.

 

[ZeKeef13]

Yeah I didn't think that there would be an issue. I think I heard one of the guys on northerbrewer say it. Sounds like it's a go then.

 

[C-Rider]

I hear that it is not good the squeeze the grain bag after you are ready to take it out. Is this true and if so why?

Find a metal colander and put it in a pot so it sort of "hangs" on the rim of the pot. Then w/a coffee cup in each hand you can squeeze every last drop out of that hot grain and not burn your hands. LOL

 

[Ike]

This is all good information to have, because I've been pretty much harrassing that grain bag to within an inch of its life. Poking, prodding, stirring, and squeezing.

I went to Amazon and found a pair of silicone gloves to replace our old, nasty, dirty oven mitts. They are AWESOME for brewing, as well as general kitchen use. The glove style (instead of the mitt) makes stirring and handling the lid on the pot and whatnot much easier. Unlike cloth-made mitts, they don't soak up liquid and are SUPER easy to clean. As a brewing-related bonus, they make it very easy to squeeze the wort out of the grain bag. Check 'em out:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OK4EEL8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT! (pun intended). They were $12 a pair when I got them and I thought that was a steal. They're down to $10 a pair! I highly recommend picking up a pair!

Ike

 

[unionrdr]

I use a nylon paint strainer bag that stretches over the lip of my kettle. It allows me to heat the water to temp & stir the grains to break up any dough balls & evenly wet them. Then wrap the kettle up in my quilted winter hunting coat for the steep or mash. No need to keep messing with it.