rudy0498
Well-Known Member
I've been at this for about a year now, I've been trying to figure out how do a full boil and end up with the appropriate amount (and therefore the right OG). I never quite seem to get it right. I know I should "relax, don't worry, have a homebrew", but I'm a bit of a perfectionist.
A couple weeks ago I brewed a fairly high gravity scotch ale and ended up with about an extra half gallon in the fermenter. It should have been an OG of 1.079, but I ended up with 1.070. I used 6 gallons of water for my boil.
Last night, I brewed an oatmeal stout. I apparently over corrected by using 5.5 gallons of water. I ended up about a half gallon short in the fermenter. The OG should have been 1.059, but I ended up with 1.051. I anticipated this happening about half way through the boil and was able to boil up a half gallon of water on the side that I had ready to add at the end. But it still annoyed me that I had to bother with that.
I see 2 variables at play here:
1.) Because of the difference in OG, my pre-boil volume was considerably more with the Scotch Ale because of additional extract.
2.) Boiling Temp.
Is there a formula to help me calculate how much water I should start my boil with that will get me more consistent results?
A couple weeks ago I brewed a fairly high gravity scotch ale and ended up with about an extra half gallon in the fermenter. It should have been an OG of 1.079, but I ended up with 1.070. I used 6 gallons of water for my boil.
Last night, I brewed an oatmeal stout. I apparently over corrected by using 5.5 gallons of water. I ended up about a half gallon short in the fermenter. The OG should have been 1.059, but I ended up with 1.051. I anticipated this happening about half way through the boil and was able to boil up a half gallon of water on the side that I had ready to add at the end. But it still annoyed me that I had to bother with that.
I see 2 variables at play here:
1.) Because of the difference in OG, my pre-boil volume was considerably more with the Scotch Ale because of additional extract.
2.) Boiling Temp.
Is there a formula to help me calculate how much water I should start my boil with that will get me more consistent results?