So I bought a 3.3# LME..

[jpsherman]

For the RCE, and I was very disappointed. I only needed 2# for my recipe, so I weighed my LME addition (yes I tared the container, I'm a science nerd) and barely had any LME left in the container. Since I went out of my way to purchase vodka to store the leftovers I was quite upset that the remainder was not worth the space in my fridge. Apparently the can is counted in the weight, and it is quite a heavy duty can.

Am I crazy, or are we getting shafted?

[FrozenInTime]

No way should the can weight be counted in on the LME weight. If I pay for 3.3 lbs, it better have 3.3lbs of LME in it, or I'm pissed off cause I just got ripped off.

[mashani]

What brand of LME was that? The briess stuff in plastic has always measured out properly for me...

[Bluejaye]

Am I crazy, or are we getting shafted?

When is the last time you calibrated your scale, or any chance it is broken?
Because if you paid for 3.3#, that had dang well better be what you got or I'd be complaining to someone to make it right.

[RickBeer]

I'm confused. If you weighed everything at the start, you should have come up with over 3.3 pounds since the container weight would be included. You said that you tared the container, but that would require it to be totally empty, no?

I agree that the weight on the container must be the weight of the contents legally. Clearly you should have had about 40% of the container still full.

One thing that I do, which would NOT impact this much, is I use grams, not pounds or ounces, since it's a smaller unit of measure. I buy my LME in bulk, and weigh the container with LME before I pour it in, then after I am done, subtract the difference, and put that exact amount into QBrew. I find that about 50 grams (1/10th of a pound) tends to remain behind unless you do a really good job swishing the container with very warm water, or wort.

[jpsherman]

I poured from the can into a container that was tared while empty.

The scale is digital and brand new.

I didn't even have 1/4 of a can left after getting my 2# out.

[Banjo-guy]

Ok I give up. What does tared the can mean?

[Brewbirds]

Taring means putting an empty container on your scale and then hitting the tare/zero button. The scale is able to subtract the weight of the container so you can get an exact measurement of your ingredient.

So if you are weighing 7 grams of hops out of the package into a small cup you want to "zero" out the weight of the cup then add hops until you hit 7 grams.


JP sorry to here about that you should ask your supplier about this. Was it a brand name, prepackaged product or a LHBS branded container?

[Banjo-guy]

Taring means putting an empty container on your scale and then hitting the tare/zero button. The scale is able to subtract the weight of the container so you can get an exact measurement of your ingredient.

So if you are weighing 7 grams of hops out of the package into a small cup you want to "zero" out the weight of the cup then add hops until you hit 7 grams.


JP sorry to here about that you should ask your supplier about this. Was it a brand name, prepackaged product or a LHBS branded container?

Got it. Yet another brewing term to absorb.Thanks.
I wonder if I could tare my scull so that I could determine the size of my brain.

[RickBeer]

Actually a weight term. Cooks do it all the time. Put a bowl on the scale, hit TARE, then add ingredients.

[jpsherman]

Taring means putting an empty container on your scale and then hitting the tare/zero button. The scale is able to subtract the weight of the container so you can get an exact measurement of your ingredient.

So if you are weighing 7 grams of hops out of the package into a small cup you want to "zero" out the weight of the cup then add hops until you hit 7 grams.


JP sorry to here about that you should ask your supplier about this. Was it a brand name, prepackaged product or a LHBS branded container?

Muntons Brand LME, in manufacturer packaged can.

[pocketjr]

Maybe shoot an email to Muntons? They'll be able to clear it up for you. And if you sound like you might not use their stuff again, you might get free stuff

[DaYooper]

I find it difficult to believe they were THAT much off but anything is possible. I also buy my LME in bulk and the LHBS will sell me whatever silly quantity I want so I never have any left over. But for times I may be doing a MrB batch and really dont want to run out to the store to get some tiny amount (most of which will be lost in the sticky can so will have to over buy) I keep DME around so I dont have to store partial batches of LME. Plus, as an added bonus, I get to DRINK the vodka rather than waste it as a preservative. That is one of the reasons many recipes will have you put in LME in pound increments with the remainder being DME since it is not always easy for many people to pick up 7.385 pounds on the nose.