What specialty grains need to be crushed?

[Kiwi_Jonno]

Hi - Quick question...

I know you have to crush crystal whole grain before you steep it.

Do you also need to crush chocolate whole grain and black patent whole grain before you steep it?

Iv been told that since they are roasted its optional, and that they turn to dust if you crush them. Please advice before I brew.

Thanks

 

[BarleyWater]

All of them need to be crushed.

 

[Kiwi_Jonno]

Wow that was easy. Cheers for that. Now back to the rolling pin....

 

[BarleyWater]

Its the only way for the starches inside the grains to be reached for them to be converted to sugars.

 

[Kayos]

Next time have the HBS crush them. A rolling pin will do, but you could do much better. The husks just need to be broken open....not turned to dust.

 

[Kiwi_Jonno]

Next time have the HBS crush them. A rolling pin will do, but you could do much better. The husks just need to be broken open....not turned to dust.

What is the "mlll" thing called that is used to crush them in the LHBS? Also, how long do the grains last crushed and whole?

 

[BarleyWater]

It's a grain mill. Crushed will last about a week unless you put them in the freezer, whole should last several months.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Just to clarify, don't crush flaked grains like corn or oatmeal. Their starches have been made soluble by the heat and pressure of being rolled flat.

 

[Kayos]

What is the "mlll" thing called that is used to crush them in the LHBS? Also, how long do the grains last crushed and whole?

Like this

They last for a very long time uncrushed. When you cush them, about a month or 2 before you may lose some of the freshness.

 

[Kiwi_Jonno]

Is there any cheap style mills you can buy? I haven't seen any for sale at the homebrew store. Or maybe can you put the whole grains in a blender for a few seconds? I really don't fancy crushing 1.8lbs of grain...

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Is there any cheap style mills you can buy? I haven't seen any for sale at the homebrew store. Or maybe can you put the whole grains in a blender for a few seconds?

The blender is less than ideal. It shreds the husks, reducing their efficiency as a filter bed and possibly increasing tannins in your wort.

For grinding just a few pounds per batch, look for a cheap "Corona" grain mill. Some people even use them for all grain brewing.

 

[homebrewer_99]

The book Brewing Classic Styles has a chart of malts that can be mashed/steeped. Maybe, if I get enough time I'll type it up and post it...maybe...

 

[beergears]

Just to clarify, don't crush flaked grains like corn or oatmeal. Their starches have been made soluble by the heat and pressure of being rolled flat.

Falked grains... good thing I learned about/realized that just BEFORE making my first dry stout!

Funny, this specific information is not easy to find.
I looked and looked for it in Palmer's book, and did not...

 

[malkore]

Most LHBS don't sell grain mills because the profit margin sucks. there's only a few home-sized mill makers out there and they already have competitive pricing direct from the makers.

www.monstermill.com
www.barleycrusher.com

those are two big ones. There's at least one more popular one that starts with a 'J' i think.

 

[Kiwi_Jonno]

Hmm the prices in NZ for a mill are around $240. I used a 1.8kg Muntons LME can and wow its actually really effective! Was pretty fast and cracked em good. Thanks for help everyone.

 

[ChuckMoney]

Most LHBS don't sell grain mills because the profit margin sucks. there's only a few home-sized mill makers out there and they already have competitive pricing direct from the makers.

www.monstermill.com
www.barleycrusher.com

those are two big ones. There's at least one more popular one that starts with a 'J' i think.

Don't forget about

www.crankandstein.net