Going to take the next step in brewing

[Brian N-]

I am going to go a "step up" in my brewing. So far I've done the basic Mr. Beer recipes with the addition of DME. Now I am going to try seeping some grains and add a hop boil. The Muntons/ Brewers Best kit included just about all I need. My plan is to split the 5 gallon kit into two LBK batches. I do have a question for the Borg - Do I need to sparge the grains, or can I just let the bag with the grains drain through a colander?

[Inkleg]

The times I steeped, I just let them drain and then squeezed the bag some. But you can do it either way.
I BIAB now and sometimes I just drain and squeeze other times I drain and sparge and squeeze.

[haerbob3]

With steeping there is no need to rinse/sparge the grains. Partial Mashing is not any harder than steeping. You just need to control the water temp and rinse/sparge the grains. I think it opens up a lot more options for the brewer.

[Brewbirds]

Can you post some info or the recipe from your kit? It might help if others have done the same or one similar and you have questions on brew day.

[Gymrat]

No need to sparge steeping grains. Just steep them for 20 minutes in water between 150 and 165F pull the bag out and squeeze runnings out if you want. Then that will be the water you add your extract, hops, etc to.

[Brian N-]

I'm brewing the Muntons Red ale. The kit includes 2 cans of unhopped light extract, 2 packages of hops (1 oz golding and 1 oz fuggle) and a pound of grain (caramel and chocolate). The directions included with the kit are minimal.

[Yankeedag]

Welcome to the step up. True, there is no actual need to sparge yor steep grains. Here is the "but". You can rinse them while bringing up your boil water levels to snag the very last of the good stuff.
I use the water I am topping of the water level with. No need to use boiling water for that.
So you can use that collender method you asked about. I do.

[FedoraDave]

You're going to be amazed at the difference this little upgrade makes (not to mention the ease of it; you'll wonder why you didn't make the leap earlier).

Good advice from everyone.

[Brian N-]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The brewing may have to wait a couple of weeks -the basement temperature is still too warm (about 75). Also, as with many of us, free time is difficult to find (fall yard work, closing the pool, Honey-do things, other hobbies ...etc) Next week I'm off to visit two of my children in college so no opportunity to brew.

[RickBeer]

I just did my first one since early June today. It's 66 in the basement and 60 outside right now. I plan on watch it for a few days to ensure it doesn't bump up over 70.