Boiling DME

[gorymorph]

Why do we need to boil DME or LME when we brew is it to sterilise the malt or just to boil the hops

[andyp]

Both I think. Some recommend boiling DME for 10 minutes to sterilise, but I think this is just an additional precaution. The only real need at least for DME is for the bittering hops to get done properly.

[gorymorph]

i was g if wondering if i could just boil the hops in water for the required time and then add this to the DME

[andyp]

I think it helps if you put a little DME in the hop boil. But the rest can just be added to the fermenting bin. DME dissolved in a bit of warm water first is recommended.

[beardybrewer]

i was g if wondering if i could just boil the hops in water for the required time and then add this to the DME

I've often wondered that myself and finally saw the answer in this month's BYO mag... the answer is no. Although I can't remember the exact reasons given you can bet the gravity, ph, and other factors won't be right w/o the presence of the malt. I boil 22-23l and add the required LME up front and then start the 60 mins. Makes recipe formulation the most straightforward.