German Brewing

There is a nice benefit, slowly making your way though the enzymes, but its not the sole reason for step mashing. The other thing is no one rests at the step long enough to take full benefit. For some reason everyone has 60 minutes mashes so ingrained in them they always try to accomplish step mashes in that time frame as well. If a "normal" mash is conducted at 60 minutes, I don't know how one could conduct 2 mini mashes for 30 minutes and expect some mind blowing result(more commonly is more detrimental). Couple that with the hot water infusions, and indeed... Why bother, you accomplished none of the goals of a step mash. However, good luck with telling people they are doing their brewing wrong

Direct heat, HERMS, RIMS are really your only options for the proper step ramps.

Now, you're talking.

Well I don't have the patience nor the crayons to explain this stuff to some people. None of them want to do any thinking for themselves, they just want x+x=y and it doesn't work that way. I just want to have logical, brain using discussions. I have 3 kids, I can go play patty-cake with them.