LME vs. DME

[aidan]

Is there much difference between using dried malt extract and liquid malt extract? Here DME is very expensive compared to LME ($10/500g DME vs. $10/1.5kg LME). I realize LME is something like 15-20% water but even still it's well more than double the cost. I want to make the Coopers stout kit which calls for 500g DME, do you reckon 650g LME would work just as well?

 

[superjunior]

Is there much difference between using dried malt extract and liquid malt extract? Here DME is very expensive compared to LME ($10/500g DME vs. $10/1.5kg LME). I realize LME is something like 15-20% water but even still it's well more than double the cost. I want to make the Coopers stout kit which calls for 500g DME, do you reckon 650g LME would work just as well?

you'll find a lot of mixed opinions here, each has its own place. I prefere lme cause I find dme a little harder to work with.

 

[ChshreCat]

If you use LME, best to get it as fresh as you can. I'd steer clear of the canned stuff. You don't know how old that is. I buy all my LME from the bulk bins because my LHBS goes through those really fast. Better than a dusty can that's been sitting on the shelf since Carter signed the papers.

 

[JRDroid]

I bought my lhbs's LME because of cost. I got 7 lbs. for $20 instead of 3 lbs. for $14 with DME.

 

[thethirsty1]

I liked working with DME it seemed like no matter how hard i tried LME ended up on everything i touched.

 

[Marko73]

To anwser your original question, yes it will work just as well. 20% more LME instead of DME and I think it is 17% less DME instead of LME.

I think it is personal preference mostly. I happen to really like LME. +1 for the freshness. Probably the most important factor in LME.