Does first wort hopping make for smoother bitterness in extract/steeped grain brews like it reportedly does for all grain? Hops added while steeping grain or??
it should. assuming it does for AG beers. I have done it, add the hops to the steeping liquid with grains as it’s coming up to temp and then leave them in for the boil.
I do it after I’ve steeped the grain but before I add the extract.
Same here. But most of my extract batches are 15-minute boils now. In those cases, I treat the “FWH” addition as a 20-minute addition.
OK, I’ll try that, sounds good. But, as they say, the proof is in the tasting.
Yeah, I’m doing 60 minute boils with extract. Seems stupid. 15-30 minute boils should do the job with extract! Just need to adjust the hop IBUs. I’m going through the learning curve. 
Even though I mainly brew all-grain, I usually do a handful of extract batches every year because it’s so quick when you’re only boiling for 15 minutes. Here’s some good info on this process:
http://beerandwinejournal.com/15-minute-pale-ale/
http://beerandwinejournal.com/speedy-homebrewing/
http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=may-26-2011---15-minute-american-ale
Wow, great links. Thanks Eric.