adding water to my wort before or after ther boil

[nabeast]

Hi just wondering what is better to get to the 5 gallon mark. If I should add water to the fermenter or to the kettle and boil it with the wort ? And if I just add it to the fermentor , what temp should it be.

Thanks Dan

 

[solbes]

You can do either. I do think full or mostly full volume boils make a better product. But adding 1 gallon or so to the fermenter works fine. The advantage of adding that last gallon is that you can get to picthing temp easier. Put it in the freezer until it's 40F or so, and then it'll help drop the temp another 4-5 degrees.

 

[jpietraski]

What about sanitizing the extra water? Is municipal tap water clean enough?

 

[StophJS]

It's debatable whether you really risk contamination with tap water or not, but you obviously want to make a good tasting beer so go to the store and get yourself some good tasting water. Not distilled though.. Spring water is good.