Steeping water: cold or hot?

[dendron8]

1. I've been steeping grains by first heating the water, then adding the grains and holding temperature for 30 minutes.

2. I just read a recipe in zmurgy that said to add grains to cool water, heat the water to 170, then drain.

Is there a difference in flavor, color, or something else that would prompt you to 2 vs 1?

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

I don't believe there is any difference. When you're steeping grains you're just extracting color and a little flavor. Typically, steeping grains aren't even mashable so you don't have to worry about temp control. Either way is fine.