specialty grains

[JBmadtown]

I am starting to move beyond kits and wanting to do recipes posted here. My issue is figuring out the steeping grains. My LHBS sells the grains in 1 lb bags. Many recipes call for 0.5 lb or 0.75 lb.

Do most of you buy the 1 lb and toss the left over? I would hate to be that wasteful. What else do you all do?

 

[user 41638]

Measure out what you need an store the rest for later recipes. It would probably be worthwhile to get a scale if you don't already have one.

 

[DrinkinSurfer]

Weigh what you need and save the rest. Make sure to keep them dry.

 

[JBmadtown]

I don't have a crusher or mill. So, do I try and weigh the grains at the LHBS and then crush them? Then save the uncrushed...

 

[Yooper]

I don't have a crusher or mill. So, do I try and weigh the grains at the LHBS and then crush them? Then save the uncrushed...

That's what you'd have to do.

I'd either find a new LHBS, where they let you buy what you need, or order online.

Some of my darker beers call just for an ounce or two of dark grains. I use 2 ounces of chocolate malt in some, 6 ounces of black barley in others. I'd be unhappy if I had to buy a whole pound all the time.

 

[zahrndt_usmc]

My LHBS allows me to buy exactly the ammount I need and crushes it there for me, I just have to put it a steeping bag later on. Im surprised that you dont have a better LHBS.

 

[chask31]

Most good LHBS will allow you to measure exactly what you need. If you dont plan to use all of the grains and save some for later, I would purchase a cheap Corona Style Grain Mill off of ebay and crush the grains you are using yourself. That way the uncrushed grains will stay fresh longer.

 

[tagz]

+1 I think it's worth while to buy a cheap mill. Grind what you need to each batch. Store the rest away for future use. You ensure fresh crushed grains and little/no waste.

 

[JBmadtown]

I am fairly new so my LHBS may have that customer service. I just saw the 1 lb bags and assumed you needed to buy in that quantity. The next time I am there I will have to ask.

 

[Babylon]

I but the pound and put the leftover in a bag for another time. Of course if you use it .75 lbs at a time you'll need 3 lbs to get 4 batches.