Enzymes for 100% malted barley??

[850stealth]

Just wondering who uses enzymes for an all malted barley mash and if they are necessary. I'm about to do another few runs of either 2 row or maris otter with a bit of gambrinus honey malt and all enzymes locally are sold out (I'm in a nowhere town in Canada) and places that do have them the shipping is nuts.

I know lots use them in bourbon mash bills but since its 100% malted barley are the really required?

[Expat]

100% malt doesn't require any additional enzymes to convert.

[shadylane]

Enzymes wouldn't be needed
But would probably gain a couple sg points

[River Rat]

There are specialty malts out there that won't convert themselves, let alone anything else. The ones you're working with now should be fine with no extra help.

[Twisted Brick]

Enzymes wouldn't be needed
But would probably gain a couple sg points

+1

It was stated by a distiller on ADI that the enzymes contained in barley malt create unfermentable dextrines that exogenous enzymes can convert. After reading this I did a test with an identical grain bill and mash regime but with with exo-alpha-amylase added that raised the SG from 1.060 to 1.065, or thereabouts.

[Deplorable]

Are they needed? No. can you gain a better SG by using them, sure, a little bit. Enough to fret over? Not at all.
Use the strike water calculator and hit your mash in temp, and hold it for 90 minutes, or longer if needed, and you'll be golden. Save the enzymes for the stuff that really needs them.

[8Ball]

I use them because I have plenty. Do I need to? Nope.

[850stealth]

Perfect, just the answers I was looking for. I do have a very tiny bit of each enzyme left fr ok m a year ago, just kept in a drawer, not sure if they would be safe to use, dont want to risk infection so I may just toss them.

[Tummydoc]

Throw them in. Most infections are not deleterious, and doubt anything is growing in those bottles

[850stealth]

Throw them in. Most infections are not deleterious, and doubt anything is growing in those bottles

These are powdered enzymes, any difference from the liquids?

[still_stirrin]

These are powdered enzymes, any difference from the liquids?

Uh.....they’re a powder....and liquid enzymes are a liquid!

Powdered enzymes don’t have much of a smell and liquid enzymes stink. Most powdered enzymes are white-ish and liquid enzymes are very dark colored.

I’ve never been successful using powdered enzymes (maybe they sat on the shelf at the LHBS too long), but liquid enzymes work fantastic.

So, use ‘em if you’ve got ‘em, but next time order some liquid enzymes and I believe you’ll become a believer.
ss

[greggn]

These are powdered enzymes, any difference from the liquids?

Powdered enzymes typically have lower operating temperatures than liquid enzymes.