Boil-over, how did this happen?

[Rubberband]

I cannot believe this, my wife is pissed and I feel like the A$$ of the month. I have 13 batches under my belt and to date, no boil over problems. Tonight, I make my first yeast starter and the damn thing boils over on the stove. Wife is livid and now I need to figure out how to make starters outside just like the beer boils. I never even thought about a boil over, I mean I am not making beer here, I'm growing yeast. The way, I was typing a thread entry on this board when it happened. Foiled by the brew forum.

I need some suggestions for cleaning up the wort from the cook top. I have a gas stove and the extract made a bullet proof crust on the surface of the drip tray. I am going to try and soak overnight in some PBW. Any foolproof solutions would be appreciated.

 

[fifelee]

Yeast starters are a pain. I almost gave up on them until I found foam control. It is one of the best brewing purchase I have ever made.

 

[The Pol]

Tell her to chill... has she ever boiled ANYTHING over on the stove? Stuff happens, not like you burnt the house down.

 

[Rick500]

New drip trays aren't too expensive if it's a run-of-the-mill electric element stove.

Barring that, maybe an overnight soak in OxyClean and hot water, or you could try oven cleaner.

 

[avaserfi]

Use Barkeepers Friend to remove the crust from the stove top. Next time use from foam control drops on the starter.

 

[Yeastie]

Boil the water, add the extract, stir and remove when dissolved. It takes about 5 minutes only 1 of which the malt is actually in the water.

 

[rsmith179]

Just use an anti-foaming agent with the starter wort as well. You are basically making a mini-batch of beer, remember? My LHBS had a small container of an anti-foaming agent used during fermentations of wine. It works just fine with beer and I always add 1 drop to my starter. 5 drops are required per 5 gallons, so a drop does wonders in a 1-2L starter.

I also put this in during my boils when brewing a batch. I've had my wort almost to the top of the kettle without any type of worries about boiling over. I've also noticed that this anti-foam stuff may also help keep vigorous fermentations down without having to add more after the boil.

It never hurts to be too careful. I am trying to stay away from giving the SWMBO ANY reason to cut me off from my brewing. I think a boilover would send her over the edge. And she just gave into kegging.....

 

[DeathBrewer]

Oven cleaner works great, just don't leave it on more than a few minutes and rinse well afterward or it can screw up the stovetop. It's what I used to clean my stovetop when I left my last apartment. I had boiled over wort and starters multiple times, without much cleaning. I was able to get it all off with oven cleaner and a little elbow grease.

And remember...a watched pot never boils. Over.