limited brewpot

[DaveyT]

Hello
I need a bit of help with my calculations. I´ve got a 10l brewpot that fits about 8l for a boil. I´ve already done two brews in it but I want to try GW´s recipes to start recreating some classics so I´m thinking I need to be a bit more exact with my calculations.
My worry is the hop attenuation. Do I need to put all the DME in the brewpot when I boil the wort? If so, will this affect the amount of hops I add and, if it does, how can I calculate that?
On the other hand, would it be best to stick the DME straight into the FV? One option might be to boil half and stick half straight into the FV, but surely the reasons for boiling would make the procedure an all-or-nothing deal. Is this the case?
I bought the brewpot on the basis of some advice that I´ve since questioned. Having said that, it wasn´t cheap and is very well put together. I´m reluctant to change it.
Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Cheers
Davey T

[HighHops]

hi Davey

See GWs chapter on malt extract brewing before the recipes. I used to steep the crystal & black malt in 8L in a muslin bag for 1/2 hour at 60C and then boil with the hops for an hour. I'd throw all of the DME in for the last half hour, but you can add half cold to the FV (it does seem to mix better in warm water). I don't think it will make a big difference though.

If your hooked and want to move to AG then you can buy a 30L boiler off ebay for 50 quiddish, for extract you can make do with big pots n pans.

[DaveyT]

Thanks; that´s very reassuring to know.
I´m tempted to go the AG route but I think a bit of practice with extract brewing is needed first.
I´m looking at GW´s recipes and I´m thinking of an Old Speckled Hen and a Duechars. The Duechars doesn´t have an extract option, but I´ve been scratching my chin with the Beer Engine and I reckon I´ve got something sussed.
Thanks again.

[HighHops]

Could try adding 100g of wheat extract instead of wheat malt in the deuchars. It's just to give it a better head retention, so you could get away without it anyway.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

[DaveyT]

That´s what I thought of doing. There´s a previous thread discussing wheat malt replacement. It´s really helpful. I like the idea of head retention, though; adds a certain professionalism, I think.
The trouble is, it now means I have to choose from a greater number of beers now that I know I can make more of them! I´ll not be able to start until Sept but I´ll try and get some pictures up when I do.

Thanks for your help.