Looking to get into partial mashing

[Brewing1976]

Any advice from going extract kits to doing partial mash?

 

[Nagorg]

Have you already been brewing extract with specialty grain steeping? If so, any reason you are considering partial mash over All-Grain? I'd suggest taking the leap to AG personally unless there's some factor keeping you from it like full volume boils or something.

 

[wilserbrewer]

If you have ever done extract with steeping specialty malts in a muslin grain bag, you have almost done a partial mash.

The difference is that for a partial mash you steep (or mash - same thing almost), the grain at a specific temperature for a period of time, say 45 - 60 minutes.

It is actually pretty simple once you do it...reading about it can be overwhelming...don't fear the PM or AG process...It's not that difficult.

 

[Brewing1976]

Have you already been brewing extract with specialty grain steeping? If so, any reason you are considering partial mash over All-Grain? I'd suggest taking the leap to AG personally unless there's some factor keeping you from it like full volume boils or something.

I just don’t have all the equipment to do AG yet. How long does it usually take to do AG?

 

[RM-MN]

I just don’t have all the equipment to do AG yet. How long does it usually take to do AG?

Tell us what equipment you have and we can make suggestions. Also tell us the size of batches you intend to make as it changes the equipment needed.

All grain can take about the same amount of time as an extract with steeping grains or it can take much longer depending on the process you choose and your desire. I will pull off a 3 gallon batch, from recipe creation until all the equipment is washed and put away in about 3 1/2 hours. I could also do a 5 gallon in about that same time but choose not to,.

 

[Brewing1976]

Tell us what equipment you have and we can make suggestions. Also tell us the size of batches you intend to make as it changes the equipment needed.

All grain can take about the same amount of time as an extract with steeping grains or it can take much longer depending on the process you choose and your desire. I will pull off a 3 gallon batch, from recipe creation until all the equipment is washed and put away in about 3 1/2 hours. I could also do a 5 gallon in about that same time but choose not to,.

I have two 8 gallons pots with out drain ports and two 5 gallon buckets and one glass carboy

 

[JimRausch]

A step up from extract+steeping to Partial mash, is actually a logical step, despite what some may tell you. You have to progress at the pace that you are comfortable with. The easiest method to go with the equipment you have, is to do the BIAB method. Go down to your local paint supply store and buy a paint strainer bag (they usually come in a package of 2 for less than $5). Then do your research (read the sections in J.P.'s 'How to Brew', spend a lot of time searching around this forum). Then find a recipe you're comfortable with (suggest getting a kit at your local Homebrew shop) and go for it. Pretty soon you'll move up to AG batches and wonder why you were worried in the 1st place.

 

[Brewing1976]

A step up from extract+steeping to Partial mash, is actually a logical step, despite what some may tell you. You have to progress at the pace that you are comfortable with. The easiest method to go with the equipment you have, is to do the BIAB method. Go down to your local paint supply store and buy a paint strainer bag (they usually come in a package of 2 for less than $5). Then do your research (read the sections in J.P.'s 'How to Brew', spend a lot of time searching around this forum). Then find a recipe you're comfortable with (suggest getting a kit at your local Homebrew shop) and go for it. Pretty soon you'll move up to AG batches and wonder why you were worried in the 1st place.

Thank you right know I’d be more comfortable doing a partial mash

 

[IslandLizard]

You were asking about extract kits in your other thread. What makes you want to do partial mash so suddenly?
Any recipe in mind that can't be done with extract and steeping grains?

 

[Brewing1976]

You were asking about extract kits in your other thread. What makes you want to do partial mash so suddenly?
Any recipe in mind that can't be done with extract and steeping grains?

I was reading about partial mash. Seem to be better quality beer. Also something I might like to try instead of the kits. I’d like something a little fresh then the kits. Unless I found a place that makes fresh kits

 

[IslandLizard]

I was reading about partial mash. Seem to be better quality beer. Also something I might like to try instead of the kits. I’d like something a little fresh then the kits. Unless I found a place that makes fresh kits

90% of good beer is process, 10% ingredients. But yes, you do need good ingredients or the other 90% won't matter much.

There is no reason a well brewed extract beer (especially with steeping grains) is of lower quality than a well brewed partial mash or well brewed all grain brew. The latter two include more processes, more steps, more variables, and thus more potential problems.

DME bought in 3# factory sealed bags (e.g., LD Carlsson) is usually fresh and sound. Hops should never sit in a pre-assembled kit box on a shelf, they should be stored in a fridge or better yet, freezer, and added right before shipping, together with the yeast. Most places do it that way.

I would do some serious extract brewing with steeping grains first, so you're comfortable with the brewing process before making it all more complicated with mashing.

Not to say that mashing is difficult, especially BIAB. But you do need a large enough kettle (or 2 smaller ones), as full volume boils are needed, and thus a heat source (or 2) that's up to the task. Or stick to smaller 2-3 gallon batches. If one doesn't turn out so well, you gained experience, while not ending up with 5 gallons of plunk.

With partial mashes you can mash in a small kettle or large pot, and put in a pre-warmed, but turned off oven to keep the temp more consistent over the hour mash.

 

[RM-MN]

I have two 8 gallons pots with out drain ports and two 5 gallon buckets and one glass carboy

Not to say that mashing is difficult, especially BIAB. But you do need a large enough kettle (or 2 smaller ones), as full volume boils are needed, and thus a heat source (or 2) that's up to the task. Or stick to smaller 2-3 gallon batches. If one doesn't turn out so well, you gained experience, while not ending up with 5 gallons of plunk.

The 8 gallon pots are sufficiently large to make a 5 gallon batch of all grain via BIAB but Island Lizard has a good point with his suggestion of starting small with a 2 or 3 gallon batch. If you brew a 5 gallon batch it needs more than 5 gallons for fermenting so you need to use 2 fermenters (unless the buckets are more than 5 gallons). A 3 gallon batch works good in a 5 or even a 6 1/2 gallon bucked.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I have two 8 gallons pots with out drain ports and two 5 gallon buckets and one glass carboy

When I started brewing many years ago, I looked into partial mash and it did not seem worth the effort. I would say that now, BIAB changes the equation and I can see the benefits. I would look look at it more as less of a "partial mash" and more as a "full-grain BIAB supplemented with extract".

That said, with a 8 gal pot I could also see a BIAB with a dunk sparge as a very viable option. I have not done any extract batches in years myself (other than some hop samplers) but I do agree with the idea that you can brew great beer with extract...especially if you are talking about beers like stouts, porters, IPAs, brown ales, red ales, etc...not sure about something like a pilsner or kolsch. All-grain and partial mash opens you up to a wider variety of base grains and also adjuncts (like flaked oats, corn, rye, etc.).

 

[Brewing1976]

Ok when to my local shop. Looks like I might try doing BIAB soon. I’m going to do one more kit then doing bag brew