steeping grains

[renbor]

I was wondering about the way I steep my grain.I use the amount of water that I am going to boil for the beer i.e. 2.5 gallons,and steep at 150 for around 20 min.Is there a difference if I use less water say 1/2 gal per pound of grain steep for the same times and temp and then add the water to the 2.5 gal mark for boiling? any advantage/ disadvantage to doing this?

 

[frazier]

The volume is more critical if you are doing an actual mash - though there is still a lot of flexibility. For steeping, you can do it almost any way you like.

 

[rifraf]

I looked around for info on this for a long time and couldn't find any clear info.

One group of people say there is no problem with doing what you are doing, that it creates no problems whatsoever, and keeps things simpler.

One group says that you need to steep in 1.5-2 qts per pound of steeping grains to avoid tannin extraction. Tannins cause an astringent, dry/mouth puckering flavor in your beer and are extracted from grain husk when your steeping water is too hot or the pH is off. This group of people feels that if you have too much water for a small amount of grains, you won't affect the pH of the water enough to avoid tannin extraction.

Personally I steep in a small volume in a side pot, and use the 30 min or so to start heating up my actual 4 gallon brew kettle. Saves a little time because I don't have to hold my brew kettle at 155 for thirty minutes and then start bringing that whole mass up to boil.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

Tannin extraction occurs when both the temperature is above 170 and the pH is above 6. If you want to play it safe, then do what you can to keep both in range, but it takes the combination of both high temperature and high pH to cause a problem. When I used to brew extract beers I added the grains when I fired up the kettle and took them out when it started to a boil. You really don't need to get fancy, it's not like a mash where you need enzymes to be active.

I would be surprised if your pH was above 6 even with 4 oz of crystal in 2 gallons of water.