weetodd
Well-Known Member
I've got a few all-grain batches under my belt and have been going through my process to refine and make things a little smoother and consistent. This is the first in probably a line of questions...
When boiling, are you boiling with the burner on full flame? I have a converted keg and a camp chef cooker and do 5 gallon batches (usually boiling 8 gal or so to start to end up with 6 or so...I siphon and plan to leave a half gallon or so in the kettle). If I boil at full on flame, uncovered kettle, I boil off 2 gallons per hour. Does this seem right? I've seen the estimates for 10% per hour and I am way over that amount. For the boil, should I be backing things off just enough to keep it rolling?
I understand the importance of a good vigorous boil (hop utilization, hot breaks, DMS boiloff, etc...) but at the same time, Id like to be a little more refined (and perhaps squeeze an additional batch out of my propane tank). Ultimately, I suppose the answer is that it doesn't matter as long as I do it the same each time.
Second, I would be interested in hearing how others measure the wort volume during the boil? I've got a calibrated "dip stick" but with the rolling boil, steam and then an immersion chiller for the last 20 minutes my measurements are more like guesses. Id prefer to keep things lean and not install a sight glass. Ive thought of etching (with a Dremel?) the inside of the kettle but I think it would be just as hard to see those marks as well.
Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!
When boiling, are you boiling with the burner on full flame? I have a converted keg and a camp chef cooker and do 5 gallon batches (usually boiling 8 gal or so to start to end up with 6 or so...I siphon and plan to leave a half gallon or so in the kettle). If I boil at full on flame, uncovered kettle, I boil off 2 gallons per hour. Does this seem right? I've seen the estimates for 10% per hour and I am way over that amount. For the boil, should I be backing things off just enough to keep it rolling?
I understand the importance of a good vigorous boil (hop utilization, hot breaks, DMS boiloff, etc...) but at the same time, Id like to be a little more refined (and perhaps squeeze an additional batch out of my propane tank). Ultimately, I suppose the answer is that it doesn't matter as long as I do it the same each time.
Second, I would be interested in hearing how others measure the wort volume during the boil? I've got a calibrated "dip stick" but with the rolling boil, steam and then an immersion chiller for the last 20 minutes my measurements are more like guesses. Id prefer to keep things lean and not install a sight glass. Ive thought of etching (with a Dremel?) the inside of the kettle but I think it would be just as hard to see those marks as well.
Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!
