Hey guys, brew day is tomorrow, and this is my first batch. Just had a quick question, I just bought a 5 gallon SS kettle and I was wondering how big of a wort I should make. Recipe says I should do 2.5 gallong min and put 2 gallons of cold water initially and top off with more cold water at the end to make up to 5 gal. total volume. My question is, how much should I use? I was thinking 4 gallons in the boil, and use the rest to bring up to 5 gallons. ( I was thinking of having 1.5 gallons of pre-boiled water on hand?) Should I do more, should I do less in the boil?
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IF you stay right on top of it you MIGHT be able to get 4 gallons boiling without a huge boil over. I would PROBABLY be more inclined to go with
3 - 3 1/2 gallons though. If you go with the 4 gallons be sure to be standing right there when it starts boiling and have a long hndled spoon to keep breaking the foam cap on top, plus a spray bottle full of water .
3 - 3 1/2 gallons though. If you go with the 4 gallons be sure to be standing right there when it starts boiling and have a long hndled spoon to keep breaking the foam cap on top, plus a spray bottle full of water .
Chefencore
Well-Known Member
Changing the boil volume will affect your hop utilization, but minimally. I find it's easier to boil if your pot isn't full. Just pay attention to your sanitation, take notes and think ahead.
And check back here often. There is always someone watching and willing to help!
Rdwhahb
And check back here often. There is always someone watching and willing to help!
Rdwhahb
is it okay if I just use a kitchen silicon spoon?
yes, but chefencore may be right about hop utilization. BUT the recipe said a MINIMUM of 2.5 gallons right? Like I said just keep an open spot in the foam so the O2 can escape, that will help keep it from boiling over. Once you get your hot break then you will be fine. watch it again when you add the hops.
No, it doesn't say minimum. The only thing it says minimum on the directions is to use a minimum of a 3.5 gallon kettle. It says "Collect and heat 2.5 gallons of water". Does this mean I will need to add less hops? or More?
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windbreaker123
Well-Known Member
I would use it as is the difference in the utilization will be minimal.
I've always done full boils.. But from what I've read, beer kits that don't require a full boil and add water at the end usually use a few more hops to make up for the difference in hop utilization on <5 gallon boils.
Not much info did I give you. Somebody with more knowledge will surely explain this better.
Cheers.. and don't worry, you'll make good beer no matter what (just sanitize everything well and try to keep fermention temps within the yeasts recommendede temp range)
Not much info did I give you. Somebody with more knowledge will surely explain this better.
Cheers.. and don't worry, you'll make good beer no matter what (just sanitize everything well and try to keep fermention temps within the yeasts recommendede temp range)
mmmkaay, sounds good. I just wanted to boil as much as possible, because I have read all over the forum that full boil is the best, and if you cant do that then to boil as much as you can, the more the merrier.
windbreaker123
Well-Known Member
I would say 3.5 gal. just make sure you watch it and be ready to stir. You can also use a spray bottle with water to knock the hot break down. And don't worry about the hops.
Chefencore
Well-Known Member
Full boils are best, but if you are using your stove, you'll get better results with a partial boil. It takes too long for a full boil.
Any food-grade spoon that will reach the bottom of your pot during a full boil (and survive) should suffice - remember, boiling sanitizes.
You never said, but we are assuming you are extract? I found it was also beneficial to do a partial boil because I could never quite calculate the volume gained when I add extracts. (call it laziness). It ensures that you don't end up with watered-down beer.
Any food-grade spoon that will reach the bottom of your pot during a full boil (and survive) should suffice - remember, boiling sanitizes.
You never said, but we are assuming you are extract? I found it was also beneficial to do a partial boil because I could never quite calculate the volume gained when I add extracts. (call it laziness). It ensures that you don't end up with watered-down beer.
I use a 5G SS stock pot,& boil no more than 3G. I figure by the time it boils,I've no more than 2 3/4G left boiling. Works out just fine. But be careful if your extract kit has plain wheat DME added to the other malt extracts. My wife did a summer ale extract brew I came up with. She used 1lb each of Munton's plain light DME,Their plain wheat DME to do the hop additions. That wheat DME gave it a crazy foamy hot break for about three minutes. Just keep stiring for that time to keep it from foaming all over the stove.
Otherwise,if you're just using regular barley malt extract,it doesn't make more than 1/2" of hot break,ime.
Otherwise,if you're just using regular barley malt extract,it doesn't make more than 1/2" of hot break,ime.
Welcome aboard. Yup stick with 3 gal. for the boil & stir like crazy when she breaks. You didnt say any type of kit, but if you have any grain to steep done set the bag on the bottom of the pot, they melt. Did that once; what a mess. Have fun and no drinking it will make you forget something. Cheers
Yeah,they can burn or melt. Forgot to mention that we use muslin grain bags,& a clean cake cooling rack in the bottom of the pot. The hot water can then circulate around the bag better,without touching the bottom of the pot that's in direct contact with the heat source.
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