A steeping unit for steeping of grain and method of expanding a steeping unit for a malting plant. The steeping unit has a base section and a lid. The capacity of the steeping unit can be adjusted in a stepwise manner by inserting or removing at least one intermediate ring in an intermediate section between the base section and the lid.

A malting plant for germinating and kiln-drying grain, having a heating unit with a heating device and at least one expandable germinating/kiln-drying unit. The plant includes a starting module having an air channel; at least one intermediate module; and an end module. The starting module is connected a connector channel and a return channel to the heating unit. The malting plant is configured to selectively conduct air from outside of the starting module into the process chamber(formed by the starting module, intermediate module and end module) and/or circulate air from the process chamber via the air channel into the process chamber using the germinating fan during the germinating process of the grain, and conduct air that has been temperature-controlled by the heating device in the heating unit via the connector channel into the process chamber via the starting module during the kiln-drying process of the grain.

A malting plant for germinating and kiln-drying grain, having a heating unit with a heating device and at least one expandable germinating/kiln-drying unit. The plant includes a starting module having an air channel; at least one intermediate module; and an end module. The starting module is connected a connector channel and a return channel to the heating unit. The malting plant is configured to selectively conduct air from outside of the starting module into the process chamber(formed by the starting module, intermediate module and end module) and/or circulate air from the process chamber via the air channel into the process chamber using the germinating fan during the germinating process of the grain, and conduct air that has been temperature-controlled by the heating device in the heating unit via the connector channel into the process chamber via the starting module during the kiln-drying process of the grain.

A heating building for a malting plant includes a heating device, at least one heat exchanger and a central kiln-drying fan. The heating building can be detachably connected to a start module, the heating building being configured to be connected to one or more germinating/kiln-drying units via one or more fresh air channels and return air channels.

A process of producing black malt. In the process, a batch of malted grain is steeped in water such that, after steeping, the malted grain has a first moisture content. The batch of malted grain is microwaved such that, after microwaving, the first moisture content is reduced to a second moisture content. Further, in the process, the batch of malted grain is dried at a temperature of from 150° C. to 200° C. for a time period sufficient to produce the batch of black malt. The batch of black malt has a third moisture content that less than the second moisture content.

A process of producing black malt. In the process, a batch of malted grain is steeped in water such that, after steeping, the malted grain has a first moisture content. The batch of malted grain is microwaved such that, after microwaving, the first moisture content is reduced to a second moisture content. Further, in the process, the batch of malted grain is dried at a temperature of from 150° C. to 200° C. for a time period sufficient to produce the batch of black malt. The batch of black malt has a third moisture content that less than the second moisture content.

A malt roaster that includes a roasting chamber having a perforated, air permeable plate enclosing a first end, and an outlet from the roasting chamber positioned on a second end remote from the first end a blower is provided for injecting heated air into the roasting chamber through the air permeable plate at a rate sufficient to fluidize and maintain in an air-suspended condition a predetermined quantity of malt positioned in the roasting chamber for roasting, and a heater is provided for controlling the temperature of the air stream being used to fluidize the malt bed and thereby kiln or roast the malt.

A malt roaster that includes a roasting chamber having a perforated, air permeable plate enclosing a first end, and an outlet from the roasting chamber positioned on a second end remote from the first end a blower is provided for injecting heated air into the roasting chamber through the air permeable plate at a rate sufficient to fluidize and maintain in an air-suspended condition a predetermined quantity of malt positioned in the roasting chamber for roasting, and a heater is provided for controlling the temperature of the air stream being used to fluidize the malt bed and thereby kiln or roast the malt.

A process of producing black malt. In the process, a batch of malted grain is steeped in water such that, after steeping, the malted grain has a first moisture content. The batch of malted grain is microwaved such that, after microwaving, the first moisture content is reduced to a second moisture content. Further, in the process, the batch of malted grain is dried at a temperature of from 150? C. to 200? C. for a time period sufficient to produce the batch of black malt. The batch of black malt has a third moisture content that less than the second moisture content.

A process of producing black malt. In the process, a batch of malted grain is steeped in water such that, after steeping, the malted grain has a first moisture content. The batch of malted grain is microwaved such that, after microwaving, the first moisture content is reduced to a second moisture content. Further, in the process, the batch of malted grain is dried at a temperature of from 150? C. to 200? C. for a time period sufficient to produce the batch of black malt. The batch of black malt has a third moisture content that less than the second moisture content.