DME vs. Liquid

[evh5150]

I'm a little confused about the differences between DME and liquid extract. Most recipes I have call for both types. Are they not exactly the same thing, just different strengths because of water content?

Can you replace the DME in recipes with liquid as long as you do the conversion? BTY, what is the conversion between the two?

Thanks!

[S.F.B.]

Recipes that call for both have been formulated for a certain color, flavor or other specific characteristic that requires both extracts. You can substitute one for the other. You may not end up with the exact result the recipe calls for.

LME is a little darker due to the process it under goes to cook it down.

I prefer to use DME. I feel it gives me a better quality product.

[fretlessman71]

Now, let me get this straight....

LME is LIQUID malt extract; DME is DRY malt extract. Right?

For the life of me, I thought it was LIGHT and DARK extract up until 3 weeks ago.... :o

[mmmBeer...]

Fretless that was too funny…but I can see why you thought that.

Also substituting one for the other…DME will produce a higher SG pound per pound than LME. I can’t remember the ratio but I know it was discussed in another thread.

Personally I use DME as I can buy enough for several batches and store it without refrigerating it. I always try to keep a kilo on hand for starters etc. which is easier to do than with LME.

I know other disagree on this but I find handling DME less messy than LME. Having to put the LME in a bath to make it poor easier and then having to fill the container with wort to make sure you get it all is too much of a hassle to me.

[fretlessman71]

Isn't the preferred technique (and this is a good idea when you add extract PERIOD, I think) to take the wort off the heat for about 30 seconds before you add extract? This way the liquid doesn't burn, and the dry powder doesn't get sticky on the bag and clog it up. I forgot that part with my Sore Loser Stout, but I'm sure it will turn out fine... just a little more roasted than intended. ;)

[barley ben]

On my last batch, I learned a good lesson. Watch pouring DME into the steaming pot. I bought a 1# bag of wheat and went to add it all to the wort. When I started pouring, it got too close to the stream and stuck inside the bag. Trust me, it doesn't take much moisture to sticky things up. What a mess it turned into. Had to try pouring hot wort in the bag to dissolve it. To top it off, I think I ended up with about a half pound stuck to me before it was all over with.

[S.F.B.]

I have found that whether I turn the heat off or not DME is going to stick to the bag. I remedied this by putting it into a steel mixing bowl and then pouring it in. Even if it sticks it is easy enough to just rinse it off in the wort.

[barley ben]

Thats the plan now. Trying to dissolve what was stuck in the bag made a real mess. And I'm one of those people that have to try to get every last drop out. Feel like i'm wasting if I don't.

[Jughead]

Originally posted by evh5150
...what is the conversion between the two?

You need to know the yield values of the extracts you are converting from/to.
Assuming your LME is 36 PPG and your DME is 42 PPG then...

x lbs LME = y lbs DME *42/36
or
y lbs DME = x lbs LME * 36/42

[mmmBeer...]

For pouring DME I use the front burner, I take turn off the heat (gas stove so no need to move the pot) and turn on the fan to draw the steam away from the front of the pot, I then roll the bag down so that the plastic ends almost where the DME. I hold the bag by one bottom corner and pour near the side of the pot so that very little steam comes in contact with the malt. Don’t know if this is clear…

I have also found that if you let the DME sit for about 5 min after the steam it can easily be pealed off the bag.

[BeerBelly]

In the past I have put my DME into a metal bowl, then I can dunk it in the wart to get all the sticky stuff. But lately I have been using the kits from Austin Homebrew with LME so I just dunk the plastic pail it comes in.

BTW I am enjoying an Austin Homebrew Creme Ale, smooth.

[evh5150]

Thanks all!

I especially like the tip about pouring DME into a metal bowl.

[Beerconnoisseur]

One tip Stephen Snyder mentions in The Brewmaster's Bible is that with a container of LME, it helps to soak it in hot water, 20-30 minutes before you need to add it. This makes it pour more easily, so you get nearly all the LME out.

[toneyc]

Same with honey. Soak it for several minutes in the hottest tap water ya got and it pours much easier.

:)
Toney.