crystal malt, how much to use?

[mattsa]

Hi all, new to the forum but have been brewing for about 5 years now and I am about to move into the wide world of grains. I have a 60ltr fermenter and have been brewing double brews (45ltrs) and thought why waste 15ltrs of space?, so in the past have used
2 x coopers pale ale tins
2 x brew enhancer #1
1 x coopers pale malt tin 1.5kg
plus hops etc.
then filled the fermenter up to 60ltrs and it worked out fine.(I haven't used a hydrometer for years). My question is I was going to substitute the extra 1.5kg tin for some crystal malt, (I've read that it doesn't have to be mashed only steeped?) how much would I need? 500g? 1kg? or should I bring down my final wort to say 55ltrs? Or will I have to get a hydrometer if I start using grains?

any help would be appreciated
cheers matt

[Guru]

Ive done a couple of brews using crystal as a specialty grain. Each time I used 250g for about 20 litre batch. I wouldnt use any more than that.

[Oliver]

Hi and welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of grain, Matt.

I agree with Guru, and would perhaps even be a bit more conservative. Say 500g in 60 litres.

You're correct about just having to steep them. Soak 500g in 2 litres of water about 70C for 15 mins, strain, sparge (rinse) the grain in warm water if you like then discard the grain and boil the liquid. Then use it to help dissolve the other ingredients.

First up I would just add the 500g of crystal to whatever recipe you've been doing then make adjustments next time. There's no need for a hydrometer unless you want to work out alcohol content - and confirm your beer has finished fermenting!

You'll be doing all-grain brews before you know where you are.

Cheers,

Oliver

[barls]

Agreed with the above. Did one for work that was 600g of 2 different crystals but that's the upper limit.

[Tipsy]

I once used 1kg didn't read the bag properly.

While it was too sweet I still drank it to teach myself a valuable lesson.

[weizgei]

I once used 1kg didn't read the bag properly.

While it was too sweet I still drank it to teach myself a valuable lesson.

LOL, where's the LIKE button when you need it?!

[emnpaul]

just my personal opinion but I reckon the lighter crystals are more forgiving than the dark ones. 150g of dark crystal is the max I can handle but I really like a generous whack of the pale, up to 400g in a 23L batch.

[mattsa]

Well guys, my recipe read like this;
2 x coopers pale ale
2 x coopers brew enhancer #1
4 x tablespoons raw sugar
250g ldme
750g crystal malt steeped @ 70c for 20 mins
filled to 60ltrs plus hops
I wanted plenty of crystal malt in there so I know what sort of flavour they give and it turned out fine, everyone who tasted it gave it the thumbs up. I think the use of grains gives the beer a fresher flavour and I'm hooked.
thanks for the help guys, I will be a regular visitor!

[Guru]

Excellent, glad it turned out good.

[emnpaul]

Love the fresh grainy flavour hey Matt. You know what that means...