you should have a total volume of about 6.5 gallons before the boil, so yes that includes the extract. The excact amount depends on how aggressive you get with the boil and the amount of evaporation.
Yes, you can top off with water if you boil off too much, but I would use the hydrometer to make this decision. If you are at your targe SG, I would leave it alone if you are just a little short.
__________________
Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here! - The Dude
I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to
have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and
sticks when they've invented the lighter?
|