6 replies to this topic

[Deerslyr]

I figured there had to be a benefit to living in the Central Valley... Ok, so I don't have rice hulls, and neither of the LHBS supply them. So, here is my thought. I should be able to go to any little Mexican Supermart and buy some corn husks that are suitable for tamales. The plan would be to throw some in the food processer and let her rip until they get to the consistency of the rice hulls. All we are really doing is adding a flavorless husk type material to the mash to promote a better grain bed. I cannot imagine that the husks would impart much, if any, flavor to the wort. It is, after all, just a dried vegatative matter.Just trying to think a bit "outside the box" on this... I had completely forgotten that I would need them, so forgot to order them on-line. I keep pestering the LHBS to have them on hand, but they tend to look at me like I have a third nipple.What say the Brews Brothers!?Vote in the poll. If you feel the need to explain yourself... you know what to do.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I say let er rip on this one. What do you have to lose honestly. You assessment seems reasonable to me and I don't see why it won't work for you. Gee both LHBS don't stock the hulls, I am surprised. Give it a try and see how it goes and let us know what you discover. Whats the worst thing that can happen, you get a stuck mash and you were thinking of going huskless anyways. I think it will be ok too. Nice Idea.

[Deerslyr]

I say let er rip on this one. What do you have to lose honestly. You assessment seems reasonable to me and I don't see why it won't work for you. Gee both LHBS don't stock the hulls, I am surprised. Give it a try and see how it goes and let us know what you discover. Whats the worst thing that can happen, you get a stuck mash and you were thinking of going huskless anyways. I think it will be ok too. Nice Idea.

Yeah... the last time I went into one of them I asked again... and the guy that owns the store can be a bit dim at times and mentioned that someone had asked a couple of months before. I had to remind him that it was probably me! I didn't want to remind him that the last time he tried to sell me flaked rice!I don't understand why neither of them do. Sure, it'll take a bit of space, but the shelf life on that stuff has to be sick! I can't imagine that it really goes bad. I'm gonna try the corn husk and if it works, I'll never ask my LHBS again.

[MAZ]

Awesome idea. Go for it man!

[kbhale]

I think it's worth a try. Creative idea.

[Noontime]

I too think it's a good idea (just from an intellectual point of view since I've no experience with all grain), but I wouldn't assume it will not impart any flavors. I would make a tea out of it first to see how much flavor is in it. Again, what's the worst that can happen...you get a slightly different flavor profile. Who knows...maybe it'll be delicious with a bit of corn flavor.

[zymot]

I don't understand why neither of them do. Sure, it'll take a bit of space, but the shelf life on that stuff has to be sick! I can't imagine that it really goes bad. I'm gonna try the corn husk and if it works, I'll never ask my LHBS again.

Often Mom and Pop stores minimum quantities to overcome. If they had to order a 100 lb bag, and they get 3 or 4 requests a year, they cannot buy inventory that is going to take 25 years to turn around.I get the feeling my local Mom & Pop buy some of their stuff from morebeer and have it on the shelf so they do not have to tell customers no.I do not consider rice hulls as an automatic requirement. I have brewed >50% wheat beers and did not resort to rice hulls, I get a normal run off. I did a 30% Rye Beer and that took 1 lb of rice hulls.Good thinking on the corn husks. Se what comes out of the blender. Try the tea test as suggested. You might have to boil the corn husks first to leach out unwanted flavors. Then again, corn and wheat might make for an interesting beer.zymot