Steeping TImes

[Bopper]

Hi All,

What techniques do you use for steeping grains when brewing extract? I typically put in the grains right as I begin heating the water...I take them out at approx 170 degrees. Is it better to put them in at say 160 - 165 degrees and let them sit for 30 minutes or so?

What difference will this make?

 

[El Pistolero]

I heat the steeping water to 155F, then stir the grains in and try to hold the temp at 150F for 30 minutes. Those are the instructions as spelled out in Clone Brews and Beer Captured, and they've worked for me.

 

[Shambolic]

I bring a few litres of water to about 70 deg (Celcius, of course), then whack the grain bag in and leave it for about 15 min. (I don't see the point of steeping for any longer than this). Then I give the bag a quick 'sparge' with 70-80 deg water, top the pot up to my boiling volume, and crank the heat...

 

[fa1321tx]

I use less than a gallon of water for every pound of grain= 1lb = 3/4 gallon water I heat this water to 160F+/- 10F then add grain I turn my burner off and steep for 30 minutes. I will swirl the grain bag around to soak it good and after 30 mins I give the bag a squeeze then discard it.

I got this procedure from HOW TO BREW by John Palmer