Not a fan of LME

[B'sPointPlacePorter]

If a recipe calls for 3.3 lbs of LME, how much DME would you use in place of it?

 

[ben the brewman]

http://www.weekendbrewer.com/brewingformulas.htm

this is a good website for conversions. acording to the listed formula it would be 2.64 pounds of dme. just rember all dme and lme have differnt gravitys.

 

[B'sPointPlacePorter]

great link...thanks

 

[Pez]

I've had trouble with DME clumping up as I'm adding it. Why don't you like LME?

 

[Warrior]

I've had trouble with DME clumping up as I'm adding it. Why don't you like LME?

Use a whisk when pouring the DME in. This really helps to keep the DME from clumping. Also don't dump the DME all at once.

 

[Anthony_Lopez]

Whisking the DME will definitely help. When it's time to add the DME or LME, i always remove it from the heat and let the water cool for about 10 minutes to reduce the possibility of scorching the malt. If you have a helper, have them stir as you add the LME/DME slowly into the water.

If you are steeping grains, i find that once your specialty grains are done and have been removed, you can start adding the extracts off the heat without letting the water cool.

In most recipes, I have seen 3.3 lb of LME replaced by 3 lb of DME...

 

[jds]

I always hated working with LME too, mostly because it's sticky, messy stuff. No matter how much I pre-warmed the extract or rinsed out the tubs afterward, I'd still have a mess all over the place. I also didn't much like how it would sink straight to the bottom of the kettle upon adding.

DME, while prone to clumping, wasn't as much of a hassle. The clumps float, and go away with a little whisking and boiling. Try to boil a kettle with LME in it before it's 100% incorporated, and I guarantee you'll scorch it.

Plus, who wants to measure out 120 grams of LME for a starter? Before I started AG brewing, I'd happily pay the extra price for good DME as opposed to sticky, messy, LME.

The Weekend Brewer formulas for LME -> DME conversion look a bit weird to me. The easiest thing is to remember that LME is about 20% water by weight. Therefore:

1 lb of LME = 0.8 lb of DME
1 lb of DME = 1 / 0.8 = 1.25 lb of LME

 

[TexLaw]

When adding extract to your kettle, whether LME or DME, all you have to do to prevent scorching is remove the kettle from the heat. If you are on an electric burner, just move to a free, cool burner. If you are cooking with gas, just cut the fire. There is no need to wait, once you remove the heat source.


TL

 

[GIusedtoBe]

I'm no expert but if you are doing a partial boil, hold back about a 1/2 to 1 gallon of warm water and mix your DME in this container and then pour it into your hot brew pot. This has worked well for me, particularly if you are using late additions to keep the color light. I also don't like LME due to the mess factor.

Regards,
Al

 

[Brett0424]

Your recipe calls for 3.3 lbs of LME because of the availability of extract to most homebrewers. Most LME cans contain 3.3 lbs. As stated above LME has about 80% the gravity potential as DME.
On average (although they all differ) LME will give you 34 gravity points per pound per gallon and DME will give you 42. In order to convert your 3.3 lbs of LME to dry you would multiply it by .8.
3.3x0.8=2.64 pounds.

 

[Homercidal]

I use a wisk to add the DME and add slowly. I prefer DME now that I've used it a couple of times. One nice thing is that I can use part of a bag, then seal with my sealer machine and keep it nice for a long time. I also believe the flavor of my beer has improved since the switch.