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Date: 31 Oct 2006 19:01:39
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Bulking Up
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Well, I graduated to bulk purchasing now. I just received a 33# jug
of Muntons LME and 5# cracked Crystal 60LB. I typically use 6# LME
and 1# Crystal per batch (plus some brown sugar or honey, etc).
So I expect to get about 5 batches out of these, which with all the
ingredients comes to $18/per batch (includes shipping). I've already
decided to break out the 5# Crystal into 1# vac-sealed bags. What is
the best way to keep the LME fresh if I expect to use it all within 2
to 3 months?
--
Dan
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Date: 31 Oct 2006 18:25:51
From: alebrewer
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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Dan Logcher wrote:
> Well, I graduated to bulk purchasing now. I just received a 33# jug
> of Muntons LME and 5# cracked Crystal 60LB. I typically use 6# LME
> and 1# Crystal per batch (plus some brown sugar or honey, etc).
>
> So I expect to get about 5 batches out of these, which with all the
> ingredients comes to $18/per batch (includes shipping). I've already
> decided to break out the 5# Crystal into 1# vac-sealed bags. What is
> the best way to keep the LME fresh if I expect to use it all within 2
> to 3 months?
>
> --
> Dan
For 2 or 3 months, you should be fine. Over 6, and it will start going
stale. I have heard of people covering it with a blanket of CO2 once
opened. Never tried it myself. I bought one of those 33# containers a
few years back. After a couple of months, I started getting mold on
the top. The mold didn't affect the taste but was a little disturbing.
Who knows, it may have contributed antibiotic properties...
As a result of that experience, and the opening of a LHBS not two miles
from my house, I started just buying what I needed when I needed it
from the store; I didn't see that the $1 or $2 was really worth saving.
Then, I started mashing so I don't buy much extract any more.
ab
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Date: 31 Oct 2006 22:23:33
From: Dan Logcher
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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alebrewer wrote:
> Dan Logcher wrote:
>
>>Well, I graduated to bulk purchasing now. I just received a 33# jug
>>of Muntons LME and 5# cracked Crystal 60LB. I typically use 6# LME
>>and 1# Crystal per batch (plus some brown sugar or honey, etc).
>>
>>So I expect to get about 5 batches out of these, which with all the
>>ingredients comes to $18/per batch (includes shipping). I've already
>>decided to break out the 5# Crystal into 1# vac-sealed bags. What is
>>the best way to keep the LME fresh if I expect to use it all within 2
>>to 3 months?
>>
>>--
>>Dan
>
>
> For 2 or 3 months, you should be fine. Over 6, and it will start going
> stale. I have heard of people covering it with a blanket of CO2 once
> opened. Never tried it myself. I bought one of those 33# containers a
> few years back. After a couple of months, I started getting mold on
> the top. The mold didn't affect the taste but was a little disturbing.
> Who knows, it may have contributed antibiotic properties...
>
> As a result of that experience, and the opening of a LHBS not two miles
> from my house, I started just buying what I needed when I needed it
> from the store; I didn't see that the $1 or $2 was really worth saving.
> Then, I started mashing so I don't buy much extract any more.
I wish it was onle $1 - $2 savings.. Cans of LME are twice as expensive
as the mail order place I use. I've been buying 1 - 2 six lb jugs from
mail order frequently, paying more for smaller quantities and more on
shipping. I think I can rattle off a batch every 2 - 3 weeks.
I wonder if I could fill 1/2 gal cleaned milk jugs with it and stick them
in the freezer. Thoughts? Concerns?
--
Dan
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Date: 01 Nov 2006 18:21:23
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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On Tue, 31 2006 19:01:39 -0500, <dlogcher*xspam*@comcast.net > wrote:
> Well, I graduated to bulk purchasing now. I just received a 33# jug
> of Muntons LME and 5# cracked Crystal 60LB. I typically use 6# LME
> and 1# Crystal per batch (plus some brown sugar or honey, etc).
>
> So I expect to get about 5 batches out of these, which with all the
> ingredients comes to $18/per batch (includes shipping). I've already
> decided to break out the 5# Crystal into 1# vac-sealed bags. What is
> the best way to keep the LME fresh if I expect to use it all within 2
> to 3 months?
I'd just store it in the original container. It should be alright for a
couple months. If you have the spare room in the fridge, that would be best.
However, I've stored them room temp and didn't have any issues. One trick if
you're storing it room temp is to pour some cheap vodka into the container
after each use. The extract is thick enough that the vodka will "pool" on
the top surface and help prevent any mold, etc from forming.
John.
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Date: 02 Nov 2006 01:31:40
From: Gwidman
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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"John 'Shaggy' Kolesar" <spam@shagg.net > wrote in message
news:slrnekhplj.fl4.spam@weizen.shagg.net...
> On Tue, 31 2006 19:01:39 -0500, <dlogcher*xspam*@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Well, I graduated to bulk purchasing now. I just received a 33# jug
>> of Muntons LME and 5# cracked Crystal 60LB. I typically use 6# LME
>> and 1# Crystal per batch (plus some brown sugar or honey, etc).
>>
>> So I expect to get about 5 batches out of these, which with all the
>> ingredients comes to $18/per batch (includes shipping). I've already
>> decided to break out the 5# Crystal into 1# vac-sealed bags. What is
>> the best way to keep the LME fresh if I expect to use it all within 2
>> to 3 months?
>
> I'd just store it in the original container. It should be alright for a
> couple months. If you have the spare room in the fridge, that would be
> best.
> However, I've stored them room temp and didn't have any issues. One trick
> if
> you're storing it room temp is to pour some cheap vodka into the container
> after each use. The extract is thick enough that the vodka will "pool" on
> the top surface and help prevent any mold, etc from forming.
>
>
> John.
I just found a half-full 33# jug of LME in the garage that was left over
from my extract brewing days, probably a year old. When I opened it, it was
hairy with mold. The garage gets really hot in the summer (Southern
Tennessee), so I'm not surprised it had something growing in it. I think
I'll carefully cut the container off and scrape off the mold plus some
extra and brew a really big beer with a couple pounds of peat smoked malt
and some whiskey yeast. If it tastes like cider, I'll know why, if it's
nasty, I'll dump it, if it's just "off" tasting, I'll distill it.
I've also had a couple of 6# jugs of LME in the fridge for at least a year
that I've been using up for starters. They're still fresh and work well so
far. I'd say, if you keep your stash in the fridge, it'll be good for a
long time.
When I was a kid, we typically scraped the mold off honey, jams and jellies,
bread, cheese, raw vegetables, fruits, and ate them. I don't know anybody
who didn't survive this regimen. I'm old, brewing beer, and still alive.
gw
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Date: 01 Nov 2006 08:00:57
From: jeff
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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I used to get 35 pound jugs and split them up into about
eleven 1-litre canning jars. This always worked well.
Jeff
Gibsons, British Columbia
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Date: 01 Nov 2006 06:47:42
From: alebrewer
Subject: Re: Bulking Up
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Dan Logcher wrote:
> Ed Edelenbos wrote:
>
> > "Dan Logcher" <dlogcher*xspam*@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:45481336$0$24622$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu...
> >
> >>I wish it was onle $1 - $2 savings.. Cans of LME are twice as expensive
> >>as the mail order place I use. I've been buying 1 - 2 six lb jugs from
> >>mail order frequently, paying more for smaller quantities and more on
> >>shipping. I think I can rattle off a batch every 2 - 3 weeks.
> >>
> >>I wonder if I could fill 1/2 gal cleaned milk jugs with it and stick them
> >>in the freezer. Thoughts? Concerns?
> >>
> >>--
> >>Dan
> >
> >
> > The trick (of course) is to use it up. (grin)
> >
> > These days, I use up a 33# jug in about 6 weeks... about a batch a week
> > give or take. Once it's made, it can sit in the secondary or keg (or bottle
> > for that matter). Even at 10 weeks, I wouldn't worry about it. Some people
> > say to put an ounce (or less) of vodka on top of the extract to inhibit
> > mold. I've done that but when I haven't I don't get mold. I don't get off
> > flavors either.... For me, the 33# jugs are around $2 a lb... a 3.3lb can
> > is $12. Significant savings. I wouldn't bother freezing it. Keep it in a
> > cool place but I don't think freezing is necessary (or beneficial).
>
> Thanks. It was be pretty aggressive for me to do a batch a week, what with
> holidays and such coming up. I'm doing an all-grain at a friends house this
> weekend, I could probably do every 2 - 3 weeks.
>
> Buying bulk brings my price/lb to $1.74. My LHBS sells 3.3# cans for $12.95
> and the 33# jugs for $69.95. Mailorder I'm getting it delivered for $57.50.
> As long as I'm able to wait 4-5 days, its very cost effective.
>
> Anyone know where I can get new 1/2 gallon containers?
>
> --
> Dan
Someone (Western?) used to sell 3.3 LB "bag in a box" extract that came
in mylar bags that I think were pretty neat. Two of them for a batch.
Not as cheap at the bulk, but cheaper than the cans.
My LHBS sells bulk extract by the pould. Rather convenient. As for
1/2 gallon containers, go to your grocery store and look for food
containers (tupperware). They have several inexpensive options out
there. You might also check a food service (resturant supply) house,
but you'd probably find you would have to buy a large quantity to get a
price comparable to the grocery store.
ab
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