Condensation: Beer Raining from the Ceiling

[Razorback_Jack]

If any of you have followed me lately, I’ve recently gotten into all-grain via the Mash and Boil, and also recently into kegging.

When I used the M&B I did it in the kitchen, because I wanted to be close to the sink for my immersion cooler. My kitchen ceiling is a little recessed. After my boil I realized the faces of that recess were raining beer! I know that beer raining from the skies is a dream we’ve all had.... but not in the kitchen!

Is there anything I can do during my boil to help keep that condensation from occurring? None that I see, other than covering with a lid which kills the properties of the wort while boiling. If I had a 50 ft extension hose from my kitchen sink to the garage, I suppose I could use the cooler that way.... but that’s $75 or so I don’t need to spend.

Ideas? Thanks community of brewers.

Jackson

 

[RPh_Guy]

1. Reduce the boil off rate to somewhere in the 4-10% per hour range.

2. (If you want to be inside) you need either good ventilation to remove the water vapor, like a ventilation hood commonly installed over a stove top, or you need a condenser.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Running a fan and keeping the air moving in your room should reduce condensation on the ceiling.

Venting the steam outside likely better, but a simple fan moving the room air should avoid the heavy steam laying up against the ceiling and condensing.

 

[rburrelli]

Using a less aggressive boil and keeping it covered most of the time ( or slightly cracked) are not bad things. It will not ruin the properties of the wort as you say.

 

[Razorback_Jack]

Using a less aggressive boil and keeping it covered most of the time ( or slightly cracked) are not bad things. It will not ruin the properties of the wort as you say.

Thanks. I might try keeping it half-covered, and also a fan. Did another this past weekend and the fan seemed to help a lot.

 

[Vale71]

Keeping the pot covered is not going to make the water vapor disappear and you also run the risk of a boilover. To actually fix the issue as others have already mentioned you need to either vent to the outside or use some form of steam condensation device.

 

[Kirkwooder]

Raising the temp of your house by a few degrees before you brew will help as well. The colder the surface the more likely condensation is to form on it.