steeping multiple grains

[curtisj]

i have about 3 lbs of grains to steep for my extract stout.
I only have 2 muslin bags.

Can I mix different ingredients in a bag and have 2 large bags?

Or should I wait til a store opens and buy a couple more bags.

Its 1 lb choc malt
1 lb roasted barley
.33 lb flaked barley
.75 crystal 55

 

[Yooper]

Sure, multiple bags is fine. The key is to not "packed" them in there. Use as many bags as you need so that the grains are loose in the bags so you can stir it thoroughly and make sure the grains are thoroughly wetted.

 

[APietru]

You absolutely can mix the grains in the bag. All of the steeping I've done (3 brews) have been multiple grains in one bag.

 

[ThePearsonFam]

i have about 3 lbs of grains to steep for my extract stout.
I only have 2 muslin bags.

Can I mix different ingredients in a bag and have 2 large bags?

Yes, certainly can mix them. As Yooper stated, the key is not not have them packed in tight. I usually put enough grain in there so that it's not tighter than a bag of frozen peas. You know, so there's room for the grain to move around and get water in amongst all the grains. I also stir the water gently and manipulate the bag with my spoon while steeping to expose all the grains to the hot water. Overkill? Yeah, prolly.

 

[erikpete18]

If you decide to buy a bag, head down to the local hardware store and see if they've got any paint strainer bags. The 5 gal ones can hold any amount of steeping grain you'd probably ever need with plenty of extra room. I went a little more overkill than PearsonFarm and just looped the bag around the top of my kettle with the grain floating around in the water so I could stir it up. When you're done you can just grab the edges of the bag and pull all the grains right out!

 

[DocksideBrew]

If you decide to buy a bag, head down to the local hardware store and see if they've got any paint strainer bags. The 5 gal ones can hold any amount of steeping grain you'd probably ever need with plenty of extra room. I went a little more overkill than PearsonFarm and just looped the bag around the top of my kettle with the grain floating around in the water so I could stir it up. When you're done you can just grab the edges of the bag and pull all the grains right out!

Are paint strainer bags reusable?

 

[CTownBrewer]

They are reusable. Just give them a good rinsing, especially if using them as hop bags.

 

[erikpete18]

Yeah, I just finally switched to a second bag after ~10 batches, but that was just because I caught the first one on something and ripped a little hole in it. I probably could have kept using it, but they're cheap enough I wasn't too worried about tossing it.

I just dump the grains out, then run the bag under some water to wash out most of the rest. Hang it up to dry and any leftover grains are pretty easy to pull out. Actually someone the other day on here mentioned if using them for grain, put the seams on the outside of the bag so grain particles don't get stuck in them. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like one of those simple things that I really wish I would have thought of .

 

[HARDHEAD]

do you HAVE to use a bag at all? meaning that if i steeped my loose grains in a few gallons of 150-160 deg water and strained that into another pot for boil? just asking because i have a few pots and the bags always seam to tightly packed once grains swell and i find myself mashing them like potatoes till they bust and i strain anyway.....any down sideds to loose grains/then strain?

 

[erikpete18]

Don't have to so long as you can strain them all out in the end. If you have enough that get into the boil kettle, you can extract astringent tannins from them. You'd have to have a heck of a strainer though, I don't think any of my colanders have small enough holes to grab all the chunks of grain. I think most people just find it easier to keep them in a bag so they don't have to worry about straining to a separate pot. I personally don't worry about hot side aeration, and I'm not sure if that would even be a problem at the temps we're talking about (150-160), but you might want to do a little searching on it if you are concerned.

 

[HARDHEAD]

Don't have to so long as you can strain them all out in the end. If you have enough that get into the boil kettle, you can extract astringent tannins from them. You'd have to have a heck of a strainer though, I don't think any of my colanders have small enough holes to grab all the chunks of grain. I think most people just find it easier to keep them in a bag so they don't have to worry about straining to a separate pot. I personally don't worry about hot side aeration, and I'm not sure if that would even be a problem at the temps we're talking about (150-160), but you might want to do a little searching on it if you are concerned.

thanks, i was straing thur large nylon bag...not collander
i dont think i have to worry about the hot side aeration at 160 still has to boil/flame off/add extract/ back to boil prior to hops....thanks

 

[Hang Glider]

..bags always seam to tightly packed once grains swell and i find myself mashing them like potatoes till they bust and i strain anyway...

don't mash them that hard. They don't need it.
Steeping is for color and flavor - more like a tea bag, steeping in a cup.