Steeping Grains - Liquid Transfer Question

[BadRock]

I have always done the same. Started cool and warmed up to around 160-170F. Total time should take about 30min. If you reach 160F quicker then turn the heat off and let it steep at that temp for a total time of 30min.

[bcmaui]

I'm already doing a full volume boil, so I can have that water ready in the main boil pot. I'll just try using a smaller pot for the steeping grains, pull the sac out and drip dry (i.e. no squeezing the sac), and gently pour this into the boil kettle and not concern myself too much with hot side aeration at this stage. Might be something JZ and Palmer can touch on during the upcoming HSA Brew Strong show.

Then bring all to a boil, turn off flame then add in extract. Not going to worry about rinsing the grains this next time. It differs from what is on the instruction sheet (they have you steep everything in 6 gallons), but my guess it that they are trying to keep it simple.

Getting old fridge for ferment cleaned out and controller hooked up today. Used the chest freezer for the last two fermentations, but now it has a couple kegs in it, so need a new ferment location.

[Brew Engineer]

On the HSA of the steeped wort: I would think this would not be a problem, because this liquid will be boiled. The boil should drive out the oxygen. Try to minimize splashing after the boil is complete, but you should be fine!


One technique I started recently is using a grain bag, and steeping in my boil kettle. I can usually hold the temp pretty steady with 1-2 brief hits of the flame (no more than 20-30 seconds at a time, so I don't burn anything ot the bottom of the pot). Then I pull the bag out, set it on a strainer, and rinse it through with more water. I'll then bring the volume up to 6 (or whatever) gallons, and bring to a boil. It saves a step and is one less pot to clean. This is similar to the brew in a bag method, only with mini-mash and steeping grains.

Good luck!