Can I just add honey to the fermenter?

[cuinrearview]

I'm adding honey to my IIPA today or tomorrow as fermentation is slowing. Can I just squeeze it right into the carboy or would it be better to heat it in a pan and cool it or doesn't it matter? The container doesn't give information on whether it was pastuerized or not, just that it's pure clover honey with no preservatives.

 

[hopsalot]

I would heat the honey in some water until it dissolves in the solution

 

[sirsloop]

You could just pour it in, but you may have a problem getting it dissolved. Easiest way it to add it in while you are cooling your wort. Dump it in once the temp is below 140F and stir to dissolve.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

I doubt it is pasteurized, I would dissolve it in hot water, maybe let it boil a little then cool it before adding it.

 

[user 22118]

Don't worry about infection, worry about having a clump of honey at the bottom of the fermenter. Just put the kettle on, put said honey into a container that can go into the sink (read: water bath to cool) and then pour water over the top, stir to dissolve and once cool enough then toss in. This will also kill anything that is in it if you are worried about that.

 

[SurlyLeprechaun]

Bacteria doesn't really grow in honey so don't worry about infection and don't boil it because boiling destroys a lot of the volatile compounds that give honey it's flavor. The best way to go would be to just use some warm water to dissolve it so it doesn't just clump at the bottom, like Matt Up North suggested.

 

[Teacher]

The honey probably won't contaminate your wort, but that doesn't mean the container and/or water that the honey touches can't. I'd boil some water, cool it a bit, and stir in the honey with a sanitized spoon. Better safe than sorry.

 

[cuinrearview]

Hadn't really considered the honey falling to the bottom so I'm glad I posted. I boiled a small amount of water, cooled a bit and added honey and cooled again to add to the primary. She was up and bubbling again in an hour. Thanks for the advice.

 

[beesy]

I would think if it were pasteurized, the bottle would say so.