Two Questions what is Dry Grist and ......

[Cherith Cutestory]

What is dry grist vs. the actual grains used? I've read that you should use 1/2 gal of H2O per lbs of dry grist?

And Should pellet hops be used in a muslim bag when placed in the wort or does it really matter?


Thanks

CC

[bub]

Dry grist is the grains you use.
I use 1 - 1.25 quarts per pound of grain

Not sure about the Muslim bag... but it isn't worth it to put pellet hops in a muslin bag. The holes are too big, if you want to bag pellets you need to get a hop bag (much smaller holes more like t-shirt fabric.
BUB

[CaskDrainer]

Are you doing all grain or partial mash? 1/2 Gals of H2O would not be appropriate for an all grain mash.

As for the hops, just dump them into your wort, no need for a bag, IMO. As for clarity, the hops will settle out of the wort in due time. Then, siphon off of them. If you are worried about losing some wort by due to the layer of hop trub, then brew slightly larger batches to get your full 5 gals when racking to secondary.

My $.02

[Speyedr]

I do use Musin bags for my pellet hops. They are cheap and I can just chuck 'em afterwards. The holes are bigger as Bub said, but they still keep most of the hop matter in them and out of the wort, at least the ones I use do.

But as CaskDrainer said, you don't have to use anything. If you whirlpool and rack out of your brew kettle you will be OK without it, but if you end up with a lot of hop matter and trub in your fermenter then in my opinion you should rack into a secondary after about a week (or when the krausen falls).

Rob

[Steve]

I do use Musin bags for my pellet hops. They are cheap and I can just chuck 'em afterwards. The holes are bigger as Bub said, but they still keep most of the hop matter in them and out of the wort, at least the ones I use do.

But as CaskDrainer said, you don't have to use anything. If you whirlpool and rack out of your brew kettle you will be OK without it, but if you end up with a lot of hop matter and trub in your fermenter then in my opinion you should rack into a secondary after about a week (or when the krausen falls).

Rob

I agree with Speyedr on this one. I too use muslin bags. I find they keep the mess to a minimum. Before I used the bags I would experience clogging as I attempted to drain my kettle. So whirlpooling may be the answer to that issue but as for me I'lll still use the bags.
Steve