Partial mash kits

[njohnsoncs]

I'm new to homebrewing and have done a few extract kits. I'm interested in moving to partial mash and thought a kit would be a nice way to start. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the following kits

https://www.love2brew.com/Partial-Mash-Beer-Recipe-Kits-s/38.htm

In particular, I'm interested in this one:

https://www.love2brew.com/Mositra-Session-IPA-Partial-Mash-Kit-p/sbk033b.htm

It doesn't say but I'm assuming these are 5 gallon kits.

Also, I believe the only additional equipment I need (given the basic equipment I already have for extract brewing) is a large strainer, nylon grain bag, and a pot to hold sparge water. Is this correct?

Thanks!
Nick

 

[flars]

You will also need a way to hold the mash at a stable temperature. The pH of the mash and sparge water may need to be adjusted. This free download of Bru'n Water can help with that.
https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/

edit: Some reading on BIAB will help answer more questions.

 

[njohnsoncs]

You will also need a way to hold the mash at a stable temperature. The pH of the mash and sparge water may need to be adjusted. This free download of Bru'n Water can help with that.
https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/

edit: Some reading on BIAB will help answer more questions.

I have a kettle thermometer so I figured I could adjust the heat depending on what the thermometer says to keep it within the desired mash temperature.

As for pH, I haven't read this is needed for partial mashes, at least for a beginner.

 

[flars]

pH may not be as critical with a partial mash recipe as it would be with an all grain recipe. Off flavors developed may be masked. A better beer could be made if pH is considered. To use Bun''n Water you would need to know the pH of your tap water. The water to grain ratio can often be manipulated to bring the mash liquor into the 5.2 to 5.6 range. Sparge water would not have any buffering. A pH of over 6 can extract tannins from the grain husks. But again with a small amount of grain in a partial mash recipe the tannins extracted may not be noticeable.

 

[njohnsoncs]

Anyone have thoughts on the partial mash kits? How is the quality? Would it be cheaper to buy the ingredients separately?

 

[Vammy]

I partial mash/steep grains all the time, especially when the pipeline is low and I want to knock out a beer relatively quickly. I have a couple of favorite kits from my LHBS...quality of the finished beer is excellent, no worries there.

I don't attempt to manage mash pH during a PM/steeping recipe; if it was AG, then absolutely...but I've not had any bad results for partial mashes. Just make sure you've got good brewing water to start with, and get on down the road with it!

Cheers

Vam

 

[Lefou]

Anyone have thoughts on the partial mash kits? How is the quality? Would it be cheaper to buy the ingredients separately?

Good question.
If you have a brew shop - or two - within a range you feel comfortable traveling to and their prices are good, by all means, piece your brew together. Kits can be expensive. I've NEVER bought a kit, I've always bought individual grains and extract.
L2B is a very good online brew store (excellent new website, BTW) and the kits they advertise are ALL great recipes. The individual ingredients are even published and you can see exactly what you're getting. I've been in at least one of the north Jersey stores and was happy with what I found and took home.
On the other hand, I do all grain and buy my mix from a closer LBHS in Freehold, but L2B has some things the Freehold shop doesn't. You just have to know what you want. The L2B recipe ingredient list can help you price things out and itemize cost, if that's what you want to do.