Starch Testing Kit - For All Grain Homebrew Beer Brewing
When making Beer from a recipe involving grains it is usually necessary to convert all the starch present in the grains to fermentable sugars. This is done by steeping the grains in water at a temperature specified in the recipe (typically between 62 and 72 degrees C), this is called the Mashing Process. It is important to convert all of the starch to sugar as any starch that has not converted to sugar is wasted and will not ferment.
Testing for starch with this kit is simple.
The kit contains:
Instructions:
1. Mash the grains in water at the temperature specified in the recipe for at least 40 minutes.
2. Using a clean pipette add a small amount of the Mash liquid to one of the dimple like dishes on the spotting tile.
3. Add one or two drops of the Potassium Iodide to the liquid and wait for 30 seconds.
4. If there is any starch present the Potassium Iodide will change from a brown colour to a dark blue black colour.
5. If the blue black colour is present continue the mashing process for a further 10 minutes and repeat from step 2.
6. Repeat from step 2 until there is no change in the colour of the Potassium Iodide, then continue with brewing as per the instructions in your recipe.
Before You Start
Read the instructions thoroughly. If you are unsure on how fast the reaction will take place or what it will look like you can start by adding a few drops of Potassium Iodide to a slice of freshly cut potato, you will then know exactly what you are looking for.