Boil-off volume

[Carrollyn]

I've made 4 or 5 brews so far, from 3 to 5 gallon size. All have turned out more or less like they were supposed to. Because we moved, and I now have an electric range top, for my last batch I used an outdoor propane burner. I didn't realize how much more liquid I was boiling off than before until the end, and then had to add water. (Supposed to be a 3 1/2 batch). My question is, when is the ideal time to add the extra water: at the very beginning of the boil, as I work at knowing how much will boil off? Add boiling water midway as I realize it is going down too much? At the end, like if I were doing a partial boil?
When I did a couple of kits, I noticed a prominent caramel taste, and was told that was a side effect of the partial boil. Since IPA is my preference, I don't want to always have that. I'm doing all grain now. When I get a bigger pot, it may be easier, but for now, my 6 gallon is having to do.

 

[LovesIPA]

If you're doing 5 gallon batches in a 6 gallon pot, then you can't possibly do a full boil. Your kettle just isn't big enough. I have an 8 gallon and I wish I'd gotten a 10 gallon.

If you have to add water, do it at the end. I've used straight tap water with good results but I've since read that you're supposed to boil the water first.

 

[Carrollyn]

The five gallon batches were from the kit, which used extract and a partial boil. For my all grain, I'm doing 3 to 3.5 gallon batches. A pale ale that was excellent and a porter that was even better. A honey ale still conditioning, and a red in the fermenter.

 

[BlackRock]

If you can do a full boil that would be better, so calculating and adding all the water you need at the beginning should be the goal. With a 6 gallon kettle I think 3.5gallon batch sizes would work for a full boil.

I started off with an 8 gallon kettle and added a 15 gallon recently. I wish I'd initially gone with a 10 gallon though to make it easier to keep cooking 5 gallon batches on my range. The 15 gallon is simply too big and needs a turkey burner, but I can do 5 gallon batches easily in the 8 gallon, I'm just really close to the top and would benefit from another couple gallons of room.

I guess it doesn't matter, but if you were to get another pot I'd think a 10 in addition to your 6 would be perfect if upgrading to 5 gallon batches were your longterm goal.

 

[orchidbeer]

I just did my first AG yesterday, it was 3.5 gal batch and I have a 5 gal BK. The boil off rate for me is .12, so I started with 4.1 gal and boiled for 65 minutes and ended up with approx. 3.625 gal going into the primary. For my stout recipe from Hopville-1.048 OG-mine measured 1.047. Boiling was done on the kitchen stove (gas).

Joe

 

[Carrollyn]

Yes, that was how it was working for me on my gas kitchen range. But this stove can boil much more vigorously, so it boiled off more liquid. Should I turn the boil down so it boils more gently? Maybe that is the answer to get back to what it was prior.