332 Transactions. 



time of loading the kiln — generally about 45 per cent. — to a 

 point at which we can commence curing in safety. 



In this part of the process it is necessary to proceed with 

 great care, as if the heat is applied too rapidly the starch in 

 the external layers of the endosperm becomes gelatinised and 

 vitreous, and also to a certain extent caramelised ; also, the 

 diastase contained in the malt is very sensitive to heat in the 

 presence of moisture, but when dry will stand exposure to fairly 

 high temperatures. 



In order to expel the moisture while at a low temperature 

 the malt must not form a layer of more than 8 in. in thickness ; 

 the air-holes in the kiln are kept open to admit of large volumes 

 of air passing through, and the malt is frequently forked and 

 loosened. During this time the temperature is kept at about 

 80° or 90° Fahr. 



As the moisture-percentage decreases, the heat is allowed to 

 rise, so that by the time the percentage of moisture has been 

 reduced to 12 per cent, or 15 per cent., the temperature will 

 have increased to about 130° Fahr. By this time the malt is 

 what is termed "hand dry." When this point is reached, the 

 drying ceases and curing commences. The air is nearly all shut 

 out, and the temperature is raised to about 180° Fahr. for pale 

 malt or about 200-230° for " high dried," and the malt is main- 

 tained at this temperature for about eight hours. By keeping 

 the malt at this high temperature we restrict the diastatic 

 character of the malt to certain limits dependent upon the 

 type of malt which we wish to turn out, and also obtain the 

 products upon which depend the character and aroma of the 

 article produced. The moisture-percentage is also reduced to 

 1 per cent, or under. 



During the whole of the process of drying and curing the 

 heat is obtained directly from the fires — that is to say, the 

 heat and combustion products pass direct through the layer 

 of malt, the malt being supported on a floor of woven wire or 

 perforated tiles, the fires being placed immediately under the 

 floor, but at such a distance as will prevent scorching the kiln ; 

 in fact, in construction resembling a chimney. The fuel used 

 is either anthracite coal or coke 



At the finish of the curing stage the malt is passed through 

 screening machinery to remove the rootlets, which, although 

 shrivelled up, still adhere to the grain, and finally the malt is 

 stored away in airtight bins until required. 



