How Much DME to Add

[ltrog]

Is there a general equation indicating how much DME will increase the OG reading? I typically brew in 6 gallon batches. I use a refractometer (which I don't completely trust) to get a preboil reading. Today, my target was 1.057 and got a preboil refractometer reading of 1.052. I added one cup of DME to the 6G batch due to this low OG reading. Now my Tilt is telling me the OG is 1.061. Seems excessive that 1 cup of DME could add .009 to the OG but I don't have a good basis other than gut feel to make this assertion. Thanks for the help if anyone has ideas.

 

[Nosybear]

DME generally provides around 42 points per pound per gallon. The best way to think of it is in gravity points. You got a gravity of 1.052, so multiply 52 by 6, your volume, to get 312 points. You need 57 * 6, or 342 points. Subtracting, you get 342-312, or 30 points. Divide 30 by 42 to get the pounds of DME you need, 0.71 pounds, then multiply by 16 to get 11.4 ounces of DME required.

 

[Craigerrr]

DME generally provides around 42 points per pound per gallon. The best way to think of it is in gravity points. You got a gravity of 1.052, so multiply 52 by 6, your volume, to get 312 points. You need 57 * 6, or 342 points. Subtracting, you get 342-312, or 30 points. Divide 30 by 42 to get the pounds of DME you need, 0.71 pounds, then multiply by 16 to get 11.4 ounces of DME required.

I believe that there is also a calculator on the site here for this.

 

[Minbari]

Tilt isn't always perfect. What did your refractometer tell you?

 

[NorthWest Small Batch Brewing]

I believe that there is also a calculator on the site here for this.

That's what I Go with 42 points per pound of DME per gallon. Liquid Malt will be different fyi

 

[ltrog]

Tilt isn't always perfect. What did your refractometer tell you?

Unfortunately I only take a refractometer reading after mash which was the 1.052 reading. I do this because I view this as my only chance to make a correction since I will enter into boil and can add DME at that point. I know with the boil I will increase my OG since I will be losing water through evaporation. I need to perfect my process to determine just how much the boil will increase my OG so I don't overcorrect. It appears I may have done this this time by adding 1 cup (volume rather than mass which is another mistake) of DME which was too much since my OG is now 1.061 and my target was 1.057. A great deal learned this brew session and with the help of the community. Thanks to you and Nosybear for the assist and mentorship.

 

[Minbari]

Unfortunately I only take a refractometer reading after mash which was the 1.052 reading. I do this because I view this as my only chance to make a correction since I will enter into boil and can add DME at that point. I know with the boil I will increase my OG since I will be losing water through evaporation. I need to perfect my process to determine just how much the boil will increase my OG so I don't overcorrect. It appears I may have done this this time by adding 1 cup (volume rather than mass which is another mistake) of DME which was too much since my OG is now 1.061 and my target was 1.057. A great deal learned this brew session and with the help of the community. Thanks to you and Nosybear for the assist and mentorship.

thats not enough to worry about, you can always dilute it post-boil to get back to your OG.

 

[Donoroto]

You can also add the dme after the boil.

 

[NorthWest Small Batch Brewing]

You can also add the dme after the boil.

I was gunna say .... DME is base grain that was boiled and ready to go ....really just need to dissolve it. The work of converting the sugar and boil was already done. So you can add DME or LME after the boil. Probably easier while the wort is still warm though

 

[Minbari]

You can also add the dme after the boil.

Only thing I would worry about is sanitation. After the boil seems like an invitation for weirdness to get it

 

[Donoroto]

Only thing I would worry about is sanitation. After the boil seems like an invitation for weirdness to get it

OK, 2 minutes before the boil ends then.
However the steam from the boil WILL make the DME clump up. It will eventually dissolve, but you might consider stirring, or pre-dissolve it in cool water then heat it up.