Sock for grain bag?

[dandw12786]

Hey all,

I apparently threw away all of my grain bags last week when I was organizing all of my brewing equipment. I switched to all grain a couple of years ago, and hadn't used them since. I decided to do an extract batch today since I didn't want to spend 5 hours in the cold, and didn't realize until I got home from the LHBS that I didn't have any grain bags. I have a few pairs of brand new white socks that I've never worn and haven't been washed. Think these will work?

 

[s4l]

They might be a bit too thick to allow the grains to properly steep, plus the chemicals used to produce the socks may (or may not) introduce off flavors into your beer.

 

[Jon73]

I'd say no. Personally, I'd rather deal with the hop gunk than put them in a sock.

 

[jperry]

Cotton can't be good to use. home depot has nylon paint strainers, that will work well.

 

[BGBC]

Do you have two pots and a mesh strainer?

Add loose grains to steeping water in one pot. When done, transfer steeping water to the second pot, straining the spent grains.

 

[m_stodd]

Yeah, why not just strain after steeping. You should be able to rig something, or at least decant the liquid off the grains.

 

[BGBC]

I assumed the OP is talking about steeping grains, not hops. If hops, yes, just add loose to the boil.

 

[m_stodd]

He is referring to steeping grains. Said he threw away grain bags after switching to AG and hasn't used them since. If he hasn't used them since, he's not using them for hops.

 

[dandw12786]

Well, I acknowledge that the advice from all of you was "no". Looked around the house, and this was my best option, so I went with it. We'll see what happens! If it tastes like crap, I'll let my buddies drink it.

 

[eric_618]

When I brewed my first batch, Midwest forgot to add the bag in my extract kit. No LHBS around here, so I cut up an old (clean) white T-shirt, and tied the grains in there to steep. The beer came out great!

 

[billpaustin]

It would probably be better to use an old, but clean, sock. White is usually gotten by using dioxins, which are not good to imbibe. I'd wash them a few times first, at least.