Why I Went Back to Extract This Summer

[petep1980]

Just ask them if they grow their own hops, grow and malt/roast their own barley, culture their yeast, etc.

I make a pseudo-lager once and the real O-fest people stuck up their nose about theirs. I should have asked if they lagered theirs in caves in Germany.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I prefer AG for the full day and the cost, but am not against doing an extract occasionally to get something in a fermenter some night after work.

 

[kinison_fan]

Since going all-grain, I'll still do an extract batch once in a while.
For various reasons -
-less time.
-style- I have have yet to make an all-grain stout that's better than my simple extract recipe.
-outside temps.

I was going to brew last weekend, but it was almost 90 and high humidity (I also brew in the garage); I got lucky Tues after work it was in the 70s.
Last winter, my water hose had froze solid by the time I was ready to use the chiller...

 

[curlyfat]

...erm....yes...? doesn't mean i don't like extract though. in fact i have contemplated making my own extract during the winter months so it's easier on me during the summer, but the amount of propane it would take would be outrageous.

Why would it take a lot of propane? From my understanding, generally extract is made by pulling a vacuum and "boiling" it at a very low temperature. Otherwise, I'm not sure how you'd avoid burning it..

 

[japhroaig]

Since I don't have a vacuum the only option would be to slowly reduce it, like a demi/glace. And considering getting a gallon of stock down to a syrup consistency takes forever if you don't want it burnt, getting 5-10 gallons would take many hours. And lots of propane

But I guess this begs the question--any ideas how to create a vacuum on a boiling kettle?

 

[curlyfat]

Since I don't have a vacuum the only option would be to slowly reduce it, like a demi/glace. And considering getting a gallon of stock down to a syrup consistency takes forever if you don't want it burnt, getting 5-10 gallons would take many hours. And lots of propane

But I guess this begs the question--any ideas how to create a vacuum on a boiling kettle?

I'm not convinced a boil kettle, or a carboy for that matter, could withstand a vacuum.. or a keg...what do they use for vacuums?

Anyway, we're getting a little bit