Looking for a gut check...

[ehpower2]

Getting ready to brew a extract kit that includes a partial mash.
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/AHS-Bavarian-Hefeweizen-15A--MINI-MASH_p_2455.html

Just looking to do a gut check with you guys as i want to do a full boil with this kit instead of a partial boil and top up water as suggested in the instructions.

1. collect 1.25 qts per lb of grain (grain bill is 3 lbs )
2. heat water to 156 (they suggest 151 to 156) Should stabilize to 152 ish
3. put grains in muslin bag and tie shut.
4 steep for the 45 mins as suggested while maintaining temp
5. heat same volume of water for sparging the grain bag.
6. rinse grain bag with sparge water to get 2 gallons.

Top up water to a pre boil volume of about 6 gallons and add the 5 lbs of malt extract and boil and hop as normal.

Am i missing something or is this spot on process wise?

 

[madscientist451]

Don't guess at your strike water temperature, use the strike water calculator on the Green Bay Rackers web site.
Wrap up your kettle in an old coat or blanket to maintain the temperature.
Basically get it started and don't mess with it for an hour.
For the main boil, get your water warmed up,
then turn off the heat and add your extract, it sinks to the bottom and will get scorched if you have your heat cranked. Once you get is stirred in good, turn the heat back on.

 

[Weezy]

It looks ok. Are you ok with that plan? Cuz I can think of ways to simplify it.

One thing, regardless, don't add the extract until you're done with the boil. Turn off heat, add extract, stir well, let sit for 15 minutes.

 

[cswis86]

Looks good but since you're doing a full boil you'll have to account for the difference in hop utilization compared to a partial boil. That probably won't make a huge difference since it's a hefeweizen and probably relatively low IBU's

 

[ehpower2]

It looks ok. Are you ok with that plan? Cuz I can think of ways to simplify it.

One thing, regardless, don't add the extract until you're done with the boil. Turn off heat, add extract, stir well, let sit for 15 minutes.

Any tips I would definitely like.

I definitely will not be guessing at those temps I just don't have the instructions handy ATM.
As for hops ultilization I was planning the usual 10% reduction.

 

[Brownalemikie]

Those instructions for a extract kit differ greatly from Northern Brewer kits. NB kits say to steep grains for 15-20 minutes or 170 degrees then remove and add malt extract and first hop addition. If your instructions work....you'll end up with good beer

 

[cswis86]

Those instructions for a extract kit differ greatly from Northern Brewer kits. NB kits say to steep grains for 15-20 minutes or 170 degrees then remove and add malt extract and first hop addition. If your instructions work....you'll end up with good beer

It's a mini mash so he's doing a saccharification rest not just steeping specialty grains. 170 degrees will denature the enzymes needed to convert the starches.

 

[ehpower2]

Bingo that is exactly what i am doing. My goal is to make this as easy as possible after all work smarter not harder =D

 

[Weezy]

Any tips I would definitely like.

I definitely will not be guessing at those temps I just don't have the instructions handy ATM.
As for hops ultilization I was planning the usual 10% reduction.

I'll write up some suggestions. Just swamped right now at work and can't make that time.

Edit: what size pots do you have? Are you doing stove top or outside with a gas burner? Are you mashing in a pot or a cooler?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Ain't rocket science, add the grain to strike water at 160 and keep above 150 and you'll be fine.

You could just stick your kettle in a warm oven after adding the grain and take a nap.

Cheers

 

[Lefou]

Looks good but since you're doing a full boil you'll have to account for the difference in hop utilization compared to a partial boil. That probably won't make a huge difference since it's a hefeweizen and probably relatively low IBU's

Very true.
The kit seems to list only one hop. Hallertau noble hops are typically low alpha, low beta acid hops. I've found adding a second hop with a moderately higher level of alpha acids in a wheat beer yields a much nicer foam.