Temps read 170F but no boil?!?!

GLoBaLReBeL · 09-16-2009, 09:54 PM

Hello everyone! I've been waiting and waiting on starting my own first brew and I did some testing out last night and have a few questions...

(I'm working with a northern brewer extract kit [Belgian Wit])

I know that you want to bring the water to a boil and then add in all the fermentables, but I am using a stove top range, and a 7Gal kettle. I can't get it to a rolling boil very quickly, and when I do its already at around 200F. Now, my question is, is 200F too high? I think the idea was to keep the temp to around 150F or 160F when making the wort?

My second question is . .

From what I've read it says to bring the water to a rolling boil first. Then take the kettle off the flame, add in the fermentables and then put it back on. Once back to a rolling boil, set the 60 minute timer and then follow directions for adding the remaining ingridients are their specified times.
BUT
After I add the fermentables, it may take a long time for me to get the rolling boil to start back up. Does it matter how long it takes, should I ONLY set the 60 minute timer once the rolling boil has started again? Or is there a temp I want to reach and then set the timer?

Other then that, I'm pretty good guys

**Mutilated1** · 09-16-2009, 09:56 PM

212F is the temp where you'll get a rolling boil, and yes a roiling boil is what you want.

feedbag · 09-16-2009, 09:59 PM

The only time you need to keep your temp in the 150-160 range is when your steeping grains. Other than that you should have it on full blast to get the wort boiling. You take it off the heat to avoid scorching the extract until it completely dissolves and you start the timer once it gets to rolling boil and you had the first hop addition. The 60 min is for the hops and not necessarily the wort.

ThreeRatBastards · 09-16-2009, 10:01 PM

Water boils at 212 degrees F, 100 degrees C. If you have steeping grains, then you'll want to get the water to 150F - 160F, steep the grains in the water at that temp for ~30 mins, take the grains out then heat the water to a boil. After it reaches a boil, take it off the flame, add in your malt extract, hops, etc. then place it back on the flame for 60 min.

**humann_brewing** · 09-16-2009, 10:02 PM

to boil at 200, you would need to be at about 6000 ft elavation. I am guessing you are not that high though. You should be close to 212. I think I am at 210 for a boil but you have to be really high up to be around 200.

Water Altitude Boiling Point Calculator

**Picobrew** · 09-16-2009, 10:03 PM

What the others have said is just right. With water (or wort), you can only boil at one temperature (212F).

Steeping and boiling are separate steps.

It doesn't matter how long it takes to come to a boil, it is just annoying.

Add your hops and start your 60m timer when the boil is re-reached after returning to the hot stove/flame.

Edit: I live at sea level and forgot about altitude. Yes if you are on a mountain or something, it won't be quite 212.

GLoBaLReBeL · 09-16-2009, 10:21 PM

jesus! You guys are fast! Thanks for all the help you guys! I'll be sure to report back.

On a competely different topic . . the aeration system I got from northernbrewer seems pretty weak. I bought an oxygen tank and their kit and it barely pushes air out, is this normal? I mean, I see bubbles and so forth, but it is not as strong as I would have thought it would be.

**Brewpastor** · 09-16-2009, 10:24 PM

You don't need a whole lot. I have a NB stone and I get great results.

If you want to boil at 200 move out to New Mexico. We also have lots of beaches, just no water.

**LarryC** · 09-17-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewpastor

We also have lots of beaches, just no water.

Now that's funny, I don't care who ya are!

GLoBaLReBeL · 09-17-2009, 03:04 PM

you guys all rock! Thank you very much for all the help. I'll let you know how things turn out.