5 gallons of water

[tieflyer]

if i purchase a 5 gallon bottle from crystal spring water(same bottle as used in office setting) do I need to boil the water for use or is it ok out of the bottle? I mean since I am boiling 2-3 gallons for the wort, does the rest(top off to 5 gallons amount) need to be boiled?

 

[BendBrewer]

no. Some people boil but most don't.

 

[BendBrewer]

And you'll need more than 5 gallons of water to start with if you want to end up with 5 gallons.

 

[FallsDamBrewery]

I would not boil the top off water if I were you...although I do not use tap water to top off in the primary...I always buy a few gallons of drinking water to be on the safe side...and it has worked for me so far. Cheers!

 

[Homercidal]

Odds are you will be fine. I think it just depends on whether you want to play the odds. I've used tap water to top off with before and had no problems. Frankly, I would just use it. But others here might advise boiling it just to be safe.

 

[Bret86944]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Most people use tap water and think about the pipes that it travels through...have you washed the inside of your cold water pipe lately?

 

[Hang Glider]

+1 that will be fine. I've done exactly the same thing for years. I now boil full volume, but my water is so nasty I still use Crystal Springs. But when I was doing partial boils, I always used the top-off water right from the crystal springs jugs (with the obligitory wipe of StarSan around the neck).

 

[JJL]

I usually use drinking water to top off. I never boil. Never have any issues. I would actually be more concerned that there might be contaminants on the outside of the bottle. I you are concerned about that, just wash down the bottle with some saitizer before you open it.