IPA questions!!!

[Norwayson]

Hello,
I recently attempted an IPA. Everything was going good up to the point of me adding dry malt extract (which I've never use). The dry malt extract immediately turned into a rock-hard substance, and it was five pounds worth, so it was impossible to manipulate. Anyways, it burned pretty bad.

My questions are:

1. I still ended up pitching some yeast in hopes something drinkable will come out... Is this futile?
2. What did I do wrong with the dry malt extract?

Thanks for tips and critiques.

 

[TheCrackpot]

At what point did you add the extract? Before boiling, beginning of the boil, towards the end of the boil?

 

[FloppyKnockers]

1) Not futile. You just caramelized the extract. It will taste a bit toasted when it's done.
2) Add the DME after you steep the grains but before the boil starts. The important thing here is to take the pot off the heat so you don't burn it. DME will clump, but it will dissolve relatively quickly. Try not to add anymore than 2 lbs. at a time.

Not a fan of DME

 

[slarkin712]

I really like DME, because it has a better shelf life than LME. Definitely remove the pot from direct heat when you are adding it. Add it slowly and use a whisk to get it broken up and dissolved.

 

[mrgrimm101]

As stated before, remove the kettle from the heat when you add the extract. How fast did you pour? It will definitely clump up, but if you pour at an even pace, you should be able to break up the clumping extract and get it all evenly distributed. My stirring spoon thing has some holes in the head of it, so it makes it easy to basically strain through the clumps and break them up.

 

[alby44]

In the future, you could add half prior to the boil and then either add the 2nd half of DME at the 30 minute mark (or during flameout). This is especially helpful when working with 7+ pds of DME....It will help to avoid boil overs, nasty spills, and DME plumes

 

[Norwayson]

Ya, I added it all at once. Haha I guess that would explain it. I did it after steeping grains, and I removed from the heat but then I started to freak out so I put it back on the heat cause I thought it would help it dissolve.

Thanks all who replied