Enzymes vs malt

[Sandhusker]

I was wondering if one would use the commercial enzymes that distillerys use if you could eliminate malt from a grain bill. Any thoughts?

[Dnderhead]

Yes you need both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase or some places sell a mix called amylase formula about 1 tea per 5 gal

[violentblue]

Yes you need both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase or some places sell a mix called amylase formula about 1 tea per 5 gal

This the sort of thing you can pick up at the local brew shop?

[punkin]

There's a few active threads with a lot of info in the mashing and fermenting section.

[Uncle Jesse]

enzymes are pretty spendy from a brew shop. their suppliers are a better bet, they might sell a half gallon or gallon.

they are cheap from the manufacturer but you'll probably have to buy 50 lbs or so of each type in my experience

[StabbyJoe]

I've heard a few people mention that about getting enzyme cheap in bulk... good if you know a couple of others who are keen to buy in but otherwise you might find yourself with more than a lifetime's worth really easily

[Oaty]

You can get them by the pound at E85 http://www.e85machines.com/supply.htm. The prices on enzymes appear good, but stay away from the DAP- very expensive. I've not dealt with them. So, I can give no recommendation.

[Fourway]

In general though if you use commercial enzyme (usually derived from fungus) to convert your starch rather than using the natural enzymes in malted grain you loose a really big chunk of your potential flavor profile. Malted whole grains contain a melange of chemical trace components related to the malting process many of which contribute to the nose of the output.
These flavoring characteristics might be less important or even undesirable if you are trying to make a neutral spirit or convert a non grain starch like potatoes.
For whiskey though you might find that trying to use fungal amylase makes it hard to get your output to really taste like whisky.

[junkyard dawg]

Great point,

The enzymes are best used to help you increase the yield of traditional grain mashes. at least for me... I'm still not the best at getting great yields using all grain, and the enzymes help with that, while you still get all the flavors from the malted grains. Small quantities of amylase from the brew store and plain old beano seemed to work wonders for me.

[Dnderhead]

You can have whatever flavors you want and use enzymes just cook grains (you chose)( can use malt extract ) then when cooled to 150f add enzymes stir them in rap in blanket and let them do there magic

[drumkiller]

You can get them by the pound at E85 http://www.e85machines.com/supply.htm. The prices on enzymes appear good, but stay away from the DAP- very expensive. I've not dealt with them. So, I can give no recommendation.

I wouldnt recommend these folks, here is a quote from their page:
We have one of the top rated web sites in home distilling. We are professionals! We have decided to give America, you and everyone else a helping hand at the pump! That is why we started this site.
We have partnered with the best out there,
(StillDrinkin.com & Professional Ethanol LLC)
to ensure QUALITY in every step!

It is on this page, http://www.e85machines.com/e85.htm
They sure are persistent.
DK

[absinthe]

not only that its $4 cheaper a pound from http://www.milehidistilling.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow and i can recommend these guys

[Hawke]

I also get my enzymes from Mile High. Great people. When I was putting my first rig together, made an order that included 2 of one product, got the order and only 1 in the box. Sent an email and got a reply within 2 hours saying the other one was going out the door as he typed. No questions asked.