cracking grain

[Nick]

Is there any problems cracking crystal malt grain in a blender. i have one that pulses so i can give it a light blend which wont turn it to flour. the answer is probably already here somewhere, but im at work so dont have a lot of time to seach. i am only going to steep and then add to a kit.

 

Nick

[AdamH1525226084]

You want a mixture of small and large pieces, apparently, so if that gives you that it should be ok I guess

[Wal]

For what it's worth, if you wanted to skip this step usually your LHBS will crack the grains for you. Each to their own I know, but I find this works for me. [biggrin]

[Alex]

I have yet to even give Crystal a thought! Should I? Am I missing out on a world of...[love] ?

[Hairy]

I have yet to even give Crystal a thought! Should I? Am I missing out on a world of...[love] ?

Yes and yes [rightful]

[Wayne (Captain Yobbo)]

I have used crystal malt several times the way I crack the grains is I get a big zip lock bag put my weighed amount of crystal malt in close up getting all the air out then I use a rolling pin roll over sometimes use the rolling pin to wack it gently so you don't turn it into flour works a treat [rightful]

[Guest]

Morter and Pestle or what Wayne said :)

 

I wouldn't use a blender even though others have and claim to be successful. You only need to crack grain if steeping. No need to mill it.

[Guest]

put it between 2 boards and drive over it.

 

[roll]

[Guest]

put it between 2 boards and drive over it.

 

[roll]

What a fantastic idea!!... I wish I knew this before I got my mill. Would have saved me a lot of time [ninja]

[Hairy]

put it between 2 boards and drive over it.

 

[roll]

What a fantastic idea!!... I wish I knew this before I got my mill. Would have saved me a lot of time [ninja]

Bill, we've seen your mill. I think the mill is faster.

[AdamH1525226084]

I do both the bag and rolling pin and a mortar and pestle so there's a bit of variety - also it's too hard to do larger quantities in one bag or mortar and pestle

[Guest]

- also it's too hard to do larger quantities in one bag or mortar and pestle

 

True but for steeping some crystal you wouldn't be doing large quantities. Probably no more than about 500g [unsure]

[Nick]

i am using 400gm and put 200gms in the blender at a time. i gave it a quick pulse, shook it up and pulsed again. did it about 6 times with each 200gm batch.

i would describe it now as a bag of kibble, and a little powder. it looks like a perfect bag to steep and i reckon i'll get every drop of flavour out of it[biggrin]

[LordEoin]

ziplock bag and a bundaberg stubby. I gotta get me a rolling pin!

[AdamH1525226084]

- also it's too hard to do larger quantities in one bag or mortar and pestle

 

True but for steeping some crystal you wouldn't be doing large quantities. Probably no more than about 500g [unsure]

 

yeah, i have to do about 100g a time in a bag and maybe 30g in the mortar and pestle for it to be effective