Bulk Extract

[beardybrewer]

I've read a few threads which mentioned buying in bulk. I can get John Bull in Ireland for €11 per 1.6kg or from H&G for £42 per 25kg (equivalent of €3.90 per 1.6kg). Optionally, I can get Brupaks for £45 per 15kg (equivalent of €6.96 per 1.6kg) which is still a good deal. So the way I see it if storage and usage of bulk is no big deal I can save a fortune getting 15 or 25kg in bulk even with shipping to Ireland.

I brew roughly every 3-4 weeks, using 3kg+ each brew, so storage of a few months would be necessary. I'm wondering if I shouldn't try Brupaks as it's a bit smaller so storage will be less of an issue.

Does anyone have any words of advice regarding storage and usage of bulk extract?

[Great Boo]

I use (when I can) Martlett's Organic malt extract in 5kg tubs. One of these goes for two brews, three weeks apart. Just use a sterile scooper and keep the lid sealed shut and in a cool place as DaaB says. everything will be fine. I forgot to sterilise my ladle once and grew a nice green ring on top of the extract! scraped it off and brewed with the rest, though.

[parkerwitton]

Boo where can one obtain one of these drums?? and how many pennies???

[Andy]

Is it brewing grade extract ? Presumably you're happy with the results though....

[Great Boo]

I get mine direct from Essential Trading Co Op. I work in their retail shop Harvest and get a staff discount. So it's about £16 retail. It can probably be ordered through your local Independent Wholefood or health food shop. Not likely somewhere like Holland and Barret though. Essential sell a 25 kg drum, not Organic, for around £35 I think. check the website for purchase details, I think you need to be a business to buy direct.
As for brewing quality, it's given more body and flavour than any kit I've used. Usually use 2.5 kg per 5gal.
Cheers, Great Boo.

[delboy]

Thats seriously cheap, that would even beat all grain for price, worth a try for extract brewers out there.
Would love to hear how it compares side by side with muntons DME anyone fancy doing the comparison??

[beardybrewer]

This is pretty exciting as the cost savings is amazing. Plus it allows me to place a regular order to H&G as there is little choice in Ireland. I'm trying the Brupaks 15kg as it was a bit smaller and I've a 2mo on my hands so it may take a while. But if I get back in to full swing Bulldog 25kg is the same price as diastatic is an option for partial mashing biscuit malt or oats.

So what's the best method to measure out 3kg of sticky LME???

[parkerwitton]

My calculations are 0.73 litres of extract =1 kg.
So 3kg of extract = 2.2 litres.

[beardybrewer]

That's helpful thanks. But how should I physically get the extract out of the bucket? My lack of imagination can only think of using a sanitized pryrex measuring cup, pour out most, and holding it by the handle in the boiling water to get the rest of the extract clean off... Repeat and rinse.

Any better ideas?

[parkerwitton]

The Brupaks 15 kg come in Jerrycans....I lift mine up and pour it into a 3 litre jug when it reaches 2.2 litres job done.
Of course if you have not got that size and only a 1 litre jug you would have to repeat the operation 3 times.

[beardybrewer]

And to get the residue out of the mug? Do you just swirl boiling water? Hence I was thinking a pryrex type container I could pour most out and then dip it in and let the residue boil off. Probably a bit overkill! Well I didn't arrive for a brew this weekend so I have some time to figure it out.