Choosing DME, Enhancer or Sugars

[noshadow]

I'm looking at getting a couple of Mangrove Jack kits which don't come with any fermentables. They recommend 1kg of brewing sugar but rather than just using sugar I'm looking at ordering DME but should I use substitute 1:1 with 1kg of DME? The other (slightly cheaper) option seems to be enhancer which seems to be a combination of dextrose and DME, can I just make this myself with say 500g DME & 500g dextrose? Should I use a different ratio?

How do you choose between using medium, light, extra light DME etc.? I'm looking at the Pils No.6 & Pink Grapefruit kits so I'm thinking light, would that be the right call? Is there anywhere I can get an overview of which DME suits certain styles?

For previous brews I've used LME but I'd quite like to try DME just to see if there's any difference and keep the costs down. It's just a bit confusing trying to figure out the best way of using it.

 

[Banbeer]

Hi noshadow, I use 1kg of DME with my MJ kits and they come out pretty decent, you can use 50/50 with DME and dextrose if you want, what kit are you getting?

As for using light, extra light, amber or dark DME look at the EBC on the kit, this is what colour it will be so, low EBC say 10 would be a lager so you would want extra light in that and stout would be high EBC so would need amber or dark, IPA's are around the 10-20 EBC range but you get the picture.

 

[Drunkula]

I don't recommend using all malt to replace a kilo of sugar with IPA kits because it kills the hops too much.

 

[terrym]

Although the main difference for the different colours of DME is indeed the colour, the darker colours do have a slight flavour as well. So choose a colour that matches the style of the beer you are brewing, but if in doubt go for light DME.

 

[noshadow]

Hi noshadow, I use 1kg of DME with my MJ kits and they come out pretty decent, you can use 50/50 with DME and dextrose if you want, what kit are you getting?

As for using light, extra light, amber or dark DME look at the EBC on the kit, this is what colour it will be so, low EBC say 10 would be a lager so you would want extra light in that and stout would be high EBC so would need amber or dark, IPA's are around the 10-20 EBC range but you get the picture.

It's the Pink Grapefruit IPA & Pils kit's I'm looking at. Going by your post I reckon I'd go for 500g light DME for the IPA, 500g extra light for the Pils and then add 500g dextrose to each.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[noshadow]

I've gone for the options above of 500g DME plus 500g dextrose and hopefully making one of the kits tomorrow.

Has anyone got any tips on the best way to dissolve DME? I've read of people having issues with it clumping, from what I understand the yeast will stil eat it up but it won't give me an accurate OG if its clumped up.

 

[dad_of_jon]

I've gone for the options above of 500g DME plus 500g dextrose and hopefully making one of the kits tomorrow.

Has anyone got any tips on the best way to dissolve DME? I've read of people having issues with it clumping, from what I understand the yeast will stil eat it up but it won't give me an accurate OG if its clumped up.

It dissolves better in warmer water. I therefore have 4-6 liters of water previously boiled and still above 50c to dissolve it in then I cool it down with water chilled in the fridge to get it to pitching temps

 

[terrym]

I've gone for the options above of 500g DME plus 500g dextrose and hopefully making one of the kits tomorrow.

Has anyone got any tips on the best way to dissolve DME? I've read of people having issues with it clumping, from what I understand the yeast will stil eat it up but it won't give me an accurate OG if its clumped up.

I have found that the best way to dissolve DME is to slowly introduce it into cold water in the FV as you do your best to keep the powder mixed in. However if you dump it all in it will still clump. But whatever method you decide to use whether its cold, warm, hot or just off the boil water you choose to dissolve it in there will be some clumping, but if you continue to mix it, it will slowly dissolve but it might take a few minutes that's all. But if you decide to try to dissolve it in boiling water in a pan take it off the heat or you run the risk of it sticking to the bottom of the pan or as near to burning as you can get it

 

[dad_of_jon]

I have found that the best way to dissolve DME is to slowly introduce it into cold water in the FV as you do your best to keep the powder mixed in. However if you dump it all in it will still clump. But whatever method you decide to use whether its cold, warm, hot or just off the boil water you choose to dissolve it in there will be some clumping, but if you continue to mix it, it will slowly dissolve but it might take a few minutes that's all. But if you decide to try to dissolve it in boiling water in a pan take it off the heat or you run the risk of it sticking to the bottom of the pan or as near to burning as you can get it

yup I boil water in the kettle rather than heat on a hob

 

[noshadow]

I went for the boiled water but cooled to about 50°C and used a whisk to mix in the DME, worked a treat.

Cheers guys