Local brew shop extract kit

[SMOKEU]

I just picked up my first brew kit that is not a no-boil variety.

I plan on doing a full boil, not a partial one like the instructions state for better quality.

I also find the 60 minute steeping to be quite long instead of the usual 20 minute from what I've read.

Opinions? Instructions attached. It's an IPA BTW. It's got 2 packets of yeast too.

 

[STMF]

The instructions are if you have grains to mash and not grains to steep. What kind of grains comes with the kit?

 

[SMOKEU]

It came with a bag of "Gladfield malt". Not sure what kind...it looked and felt like it weighed maybe 1KG. It also came with 2 cans of 1.7KG LME each (for 3.4KG total LME) as well as 500G DME.

I chose the "recipe" out of a book of different styles they had.

I followed the instructions and did a 60 minute steep but I kept the temperature at the low to mid 60s Celsius for the hour.

I also pitched 1 packet of US-05 yeast instead of the 2 it came with. Everything else I did as per instructions.

I told the guy at the brew shop it's my first brew that's not a no-boil kit and took his advice.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I just picked up my first brew kit that is not a no-boil variety.
[...]

Opinions?

At it's core, the process in the recipe is a partial mash, "stove top" boil: part of the water and extract at the start of the boil, the rest at the end of the boil. If one has a limited heating source (can only boil 3-ish gal water but want to make 5 gal batches) "stove top boils" are a good starting point for making good beer.

IMO, in step 19, be careful about the temperature of the (previously boiled) water that is added to the FV.

I told the guy at the brew shop it's my first brew that's not a no-boil kit and took his advice.

Did you brew the 2nd kit between your 1st and 2nd post?

 

[SMOKEU]

I should've been more clear sorry! The gas burner I had was terrible and couldn't reliably ignite so I had to do a quick change of plans and use a smaller pot to do a stovetop boil.

It was just 1 brew that I did.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Thanks. You had mentioned a couple of changes you were considering.

I plan on doing a full boil, not a partial one like the instructions state for better quality.

If you do a full boil (and perhaps add all the extract at the start of the boil), you will want to determine the impact on the estimated IBUs for the revised recipe. With partial boils and late extract additions, most of the extract is heated just long enough to pasteurize it - which helps lighten the color of the wort (as any wort will darken some as it is boiled).

I also find the 60 minute steeping to be quite long instead of the usual 20 minute from what I've read.

One of the advantages of a 60 minute mash is that it provides more complete conversion of starches into fermentable sugars. Without knowing what's in the grain bill, it's hard to know if a shorter mash will achieve the same results.

I reread the recipe after your most recent (#5) post and didn't see anything additional to comment on. The use of multiple pots is relatively unique, but unless I missed something, this looks like a well thought out process.