powder v liquid extract

[fire2fire]

I recently bought a beer recipe online and when it got to me, the extract was a powder i have never seen a powder extract, just the syrup type, since I am new at this, is this good or bad (what’s the diff)

[Vienna Lager]

Powder is easier to handle and you can repackage it in a zip lock bag if you buy it in bulk. Also have heard that LME can go stale and some people seem to think the can inparts a 'metallic' taste in the malt.

[gestyr]

Also, the LME tends to turn out a bit darker unless you add it late to the boil.

[wortchillergoal]

I would rather work with the powder(DME) than the liquid(LME). I find it much easier to work with and to keep it off the bottom of the pot when adding it to the water.

[HogieWan]

I also prefer DME. I forgot the math, but DME is cheaper than LME, usually. It may cost more per pound, but it adds a lot more fermentables than liquid.

[mookow]

Originally posted by HogieWan
I also prefer DME. I forgot the math, but DME is cheaper than LME, usually. It may cost more per pound, but it adds a lot more fermentables than liquid.

My LHBS sells 33# containers of Munton's LME for $51 out the door (if you're a member of the brew club, which I am, otherwise it is $56). That's about as cheap as I have seen for extract on a PPG/$ basis.

[HogieWan]

how much is that weight in DME. Even if DME is higher per pound, you don't need as many pounds to get to your OG

[BrewDog]

On average, 1 lb of LME in 1 gal. of water will yield a wort of 1.036. In 5 gals, it gives ~1.0072

On average, 1 lb of DME in 1 gal of water will yield a wort of 1.044. In 5 gals, it gives ~1.0088

This is roughly 36/44 or .82 lbs of DME for every lb of LME,
or 44/36 1.22 lbs of LME for every lb of DME.

So, your 33lbs of LME should give the same amount of fermentables as 27 lbs of DME.

Hope this makes sense

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by BrewDog

Hope this makes sense

I went through the math of it a while back, but I lost it. I didn't feel like running through it again. Thanks

[SoxyinMO]

I'm with Wortchiller on this one. The DME works much better IMHO

[CiderJoe]

BrewDog has it about right I think. Check Palmer's "How to Brew" Chapter 3.4 (http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter3-4.html), he's got the ratio worked out there as well. Seems you always need more LME than DME.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by CiderJoe
Seems you always need more LME than DME.

The only difference between LME and DME is that the liquid has some water in it, which contributes to more weight

[CiderJoe]

So I guess that makes it more economical since we got water at home, right?

I'm still new at this, just made my second batch with DME and steeped (mini-mash?) Crystal Malt. My first batch was with LME. I noticed that most kits seem to come with LME. I guessing this is because it's pre-hopped?

[cluckk]

I use DME for two reasons: I have to have everything shipped by UPS from the closest HBS and I can order DME in bulk (savings on shipping) and I don't pay to ship water (which LME still has alot of).