Dead Ringer IPA Full Boil
 

I have brewed six extract kits using partial boil and I would like to try the full boil extract method (5 gallons). I have been reading through the forum, but I would like some advice/clarification to some of my questions. FYI, I'm still learning the terminology for homebrewing, so I apologize in advance.

I am making the Dead Ringer IPA using an extract kit from Northern Brewer.

1. When I steep the crushed specialty grains, should I still steep it in 2.5 gallons of water for 20 minutes at 170 deg/F (what is stated in the directions), then add it to a 30 quart pot with about 4 gallons of boiling water on my propane burner? I have a wort chiller, so I'm not concerned about cooling the wort.

2. According to the directions for partial boil, below I listed the hop additions. How should I modify (if at all) the hops for a full boil?
-- 1 oz Centennial (60 min)
-- 1 oz Centennial (20 min)
-- 2 oz Centennial (5 min)
-- 1 oz Centennial (Dry hop)

3. Will a 30 quart pot be sufficient if I decide to pursue all grain brewing in the future?

4. Is a 6.5 gallon boil not enough/too much/just right considering some boil off that will occur?

That all sounds right on. Welcome to the full volume club! All you need now is a mash tun and you can go AG!

2.5 gal for 20 mins at 170*F will probably be fine but I would probably go 2.5-3 gals for 20-30mins. I'd probably go 155-160*F just to be sure I didn't extract tannins from the grain. Then sparge (rinse the grains) with the rest of the water used for the boil at 170*F.

You can... I would recommend a 10 gal pot for all grain 5 gal batches. Just because with a 7.5 gal pot you'll need to watch for boil overs very closely but I've done it with 7.5.

Depends on how much power you're putting into the boil and the surface area of your pot. I typically evap off about 1.25-1.5 gals/hr with the cheap burner I have but I'm also using a 10 gal pot with bigger surface area. You could just run a test with some water using the pot you want to use.

for #2... What does the instructions say about the volume to boil the hops in currently for a partial boil? 2.5 gals?

It will make delicious beer... don't worry!

Thanks for the advice.

According to the partial boil instructions, the hops are added to a 2.5 gallon boil.

it will be hoppier. :)

Excellent, I love hoppy beers. After I make this one (and my scotch ale), I will look for the hoppiest recipe I can find.

I did a full boil on this extract kit recently... just kicked the keg this weekend. :(

The process I used was as follows:
- I moved 0.25oz of the 60min addition to the 20 min addition. This gives 87.4IBU overall
- Added all extract at 15min
- Steeped specialty grains in 2.5gal at 150-160F, raising it to 170F at 20min
- Started with 6.5gal at beginning of boil, ended with ~5.25gal

Good Luck! This turned out amazing for me!

I recently did my first full boil. I used a 7.5 gal pot, and started with 6 gal, and I came close to boiling over several times. I'm going to get a larger pot for the next batch. I think you'll enjoy the process more, now that you're not inside on a stove. Just make sure you set yourself up well in the new environment.:tank: