Quick Help Please

[Slip_Stick]

Hey guys,

I missed my pre-boil gravity (wanted 1.06, and have 1.05), I only have dark dry malt extract that I can use to adjust the gravity of my now boiling wort.

What's the process of adjusting the gravity when using dark malt extract (dry)? Does anyone have the equation handy?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Hex23]

DME is normally about 44 PPG. So to make up 10 points in 5 gallons, you need a little less than a pound (44/50).

Edit: Sorry - I had it backwards, it would be a little more than a pound (50/44) = 1.14 lbs

 

[Zamial]

A pre what? err...What is your current wort volume? If it was me I would just boil that bad boy and take a post boil reading. I am going to just guess that you were unable to mix it well enough to get an accurate reading anyways.

 

[Hex23]

Actually now that I think about it more, your measurements are pre-boil, so it's a little different, but 1 lbs is a good estimate. If you want to be more exact, then you'd add (10*x) / 44 pounds, where x is your boil volume in gallons. For example if your boil volume is 6.5 gallons, you'd add 65 / 44 = 1.5 lbs

 

[Hex23]

A pre what? err...What is your current wort volume? If it was me I would just boil that bad boy and take a post boil reading. I am going to just guess that you were unable to mix it well enough to get an accurate reading anyways.

Or if he's mashing, he just got a lower efficiency than expected. I've never had a mixing problem when doing AG.

 

[Slip_Stick]

I got it taken care of, thank you! The problem was i missed my pre-boil gravity after my mash and was afraid i wouldn't make it to my intended OG by the time i finished my boil.

I ended up adding .825lbs of dark malt extract in the last 20 min of the boil which raised my gravity from about 63 up to 74 (I was shooting for a post-boil OG of 71).

I am still slightly confused about the differences between the light DME and the dark DME, because i know they contribute different potential gravity points during the boil. Could someone help clarify the differences between the two and how they correlate to the equation for adjusting gravity? Could I have just added corn sugar?

Thanks again!

 

[Hex23]

I'm not aware of any DMEs that have potential other than about 44 PPG. What brands/varieties are you referring to? You could add corn sugar to fix gravity problems, but it will definitely lend a different characteristic. Pure sugars are more fermentable and thus will result in lower FG (higher alcohol and thinner beer). The flavor contribution will obviously be less malty.

 

[Slip_Stick]

I'm completely unsure. I have read several equations which tell me I would need to add x amount of DME OR y amount of LME. Unless this is referring to "Dry" malt extract vs. "Liquid" malt extract and not "Dark" malt extract and "Light malt extract. In which case I feel stupid... HA!

So... having said that (which makes sense), IS there a difference in potential gravity contributions between lets say light malt extract, amber malt extract, and/or dark malt extract?

 

[Hex23]

I'm completely unsure. I have read several equations which tell me I would need to add x amount of DME OR y amount of LME. Unless this is referring to "Dry" malt extract vs. "Liquid" malt extract and not "Dark" malt extract and "Light malt extract. In which case I feel stupid... HA!

So... having said that (which makes sense), IS there a difference in potential gravity contributions between lets say light malt extract, amber malt extract, and/or dark malt extract?

I think you found the source of confusion. The difference is not usually in the type of color/grain in the extract - the difference is dry vs liquid. Generally you'll find any dry malt extract (DME) is about 44 +/- 1 PPG and any liquid malt extract (LME) is about 36 +/- 2 PPG. I think the more variability in LME is probably due to varying concentration/evaporation. DME is almost entirely dry, so not as much variation.

 

[pd230soi]

Hex23 nailed it. The DME = Dry Malt Extract and LME = Liquid Malt Extract.

 

[Slip_Stick]

Thanks again!