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partial grain practical question

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yeah, I missed that one because I was out of town for work, so I never got to see the pre-edited version. it must have been spectacular.

-walker
 
Man, I somehow managed to miss another exciting thread. :D

To maybe clarify the steep vs. mash thing for those wondering, from the best that I can tell, no enzymes = steep, enzymes = mash. A mash is more sensitive to temperature since it influences the enzymes. However, since it's often recommended to steep in the same general temp range as mashing is performed, it's not considered a huge step up in complexity. Beyond that, it's all a matter of best practices and techniques to maximize efficiencies, etc.

That a fair assessment?
 
ok, after reading this entire thread and banging my head on my desk a few times, I still have a couple questions.

1. Can I steep (oh no!) the grains like a tea bag or do I need a mash tun for a partial mash?
If I need a mash tun:
2. Do I have to buy/make one or can I use a spaghetti strainer? I guess this would depend on the size of the strainer.

I'm a little confused about which method I've done for my 1st two batches. I used the grain bag and steeped the grains and after 30 minutes or so dumped in the LME/DME and hop pellets.

I read some of the directions through the bag of my next batch which I am positive is partial mash and part of the directions specifically refers to the mash. I don't believe either of my previous recipes used the word mash.
 
HurricaneFloyd said:
I'm a little confused about which method I've done for my 1st two batches. I used the grain bag and steeped the grains and after 30 minutes or so dumped in the LME/DME and hop pellets.

Unless a significant portion of the grain you used was 2-row base malt then you did a steep. Even if you did have a good % of 2-row, if you didn't sparge (rinse the grain and collect the runnoff), then you would not have gotten a very effective mash.

HurricaneFloyd said:
1. Can I steep (oh no!) the grains like a tea bag or do I need a mash tun for a partial mash?
If I need a mash tun:
2. Do I have to buy/make one or can I use a spaghetti strainer? I guess this would depend on the size of the strainer.

Yes you can use a grain bag, and no, you don't have to buy/make a mash tun. You can use a spaghetti strainer. More advanced setups just provide more accuracy, efficiency and repeatability.

SP
 
FYI:K-mart has a sweet bowl collander made by Martha Stewert Living, thats like 15 qt. (huge), stainless steel, and less then 20 bucks (its a good thing...)
 
question regarding my instructions from More Beer. The directions state:
"After 45 min of mashing time has elapsed and the sparge water is at 175 deg uncover your bucket and using an insualted cup of Pyrex measuring cup scoop the 175 deg water out of the pot and gently pour it on the top of the grain bed. Repeat this process until you have 2" or so of water on top of the grain bed in the bucket."

1. If the grain bag or collander are pourous, have can it maintain 2" of water on top of the grain bed?
2. How far into the bucket do the grains need to sit? I plan on using my bottling bucket which is 6.5 gal. Also, how are the grains secured into this position if I use a grain bag? (The insructions call for a 24"x24" grain bag.)
3. The grain bags I have are 1 gal bags and are not 24"x24". Should I use multiple bags (which I can see being a big pain in the butt)? Also, the collander I have are too small and it looks like the grain would fall through the wholes anyway.

Edit: Should this have bee posted under a new topic?
 
Sooooooo.... hey, how's it going? :( I, um, need help.....please. sorry to be a bumper but I'm dumb and need information. Ever see the movie Marathon Man? Please don't let it get to that point. :D
 
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