Trying to start Partial Mash

[mrtoofay]

Hello all.

I have been reading this forum daily as my guide as I am getting more and more addicted to brewing. So far, I have brewed 4~5 extract batches. With all the talk about PM and AG brews tasting much better than Extract, I really want to give it a shot. So... before spending anymore money on equipments, I am wondering if my following procedures will be ok for a PM brew?

1. Heat up the correct amount of water to desired tempertaure in my main kettle.
2. Drop in grains in bags and wait 60min, carefully monitering temperature and turn on burner under the lowest setting to bring up the termperature if necessary. (Do I need to stir/poke/dunk the Gain bag once in a while to get the most out of them?)
3. Heat up sparge water in a second pot to 170, when the timer has about 5min left.
4. When the 60min is up, pull out the gain bag, and transfer to the second pot. I understand that it's been suggested that I can just leave the grain bad on a strainer and pour the sparge watver over it. Will doing this in a seond pot bring any benifits?(I guess since it's only a short time, i don't need to worry about monitering the temperature)
5. Turn the burner up 100% on main kettle while waiting for sparge process.
6. After 10min, drain grain bag, and transfer the wort from the second pot into the main kettle.
7. Proceed like my previous extract batches from there.

Does that sound right to you guys? or is there a better way to try PM without breaking the bank? And will PM kit really taste better than All Extract?

Thank You In Advance for all the advises.

 

[Money Pit Home Brew]

I've used Chris Colby's technique with great success. Here's a link...http://www.byo.com/feature/1536.html

I think I spent and extra $10.00 on equipment (cooler and mesh bag).

 

[tbone]

I also use Colby's "Countertop Partial Mashing" technique. I have done about 8 AGs now but my favorite beer to date was a partial mash 60 Min IPA clone. You can make some great beers doing a partial mash. But I'll warn you, AG brewing will always be a temptation.

 

[mrtoofay]

It's the lack of space!!

Thank you for the very informative link. From what I just read in Colby's Countertop Partial Mashing Technique, I guess I am missing out on the step where you pour the initial collection of wort back onto the grain, to use it as a filter. Am I mistaken to think that with the addition of Irish Moss, and Patience, the clairty of beer shouldn't be that much of a worry?

Or am I missing something else?

 

[tbone]

Yes, your beer should clear pretty well. Recirculating the wort back through the grain bed until it runs clear is a step in AG brewing also. Using Irish Moss with about 10-15 min left in the boil also helps in clearing the final product. Don't overdo the Irish Moss. I have read that too much may retard head development. Good luck.