Cover during boil?

[Jdubbs]

Quick question, do I need to cover the pot while boiling the wort?!

Thanks!

John

 

[topend]

No. It is better to leave it off. The steam rising from the boiling wort carries with it substances that can cause off flavors. Happy brewing!

 

[ntaylor0]

No. But covering the pot does add pressure which lowers the boiling point of the wort (kinda like a radiator cap). So if you do cover make sure to watch out for boil over as it becomes more likely.

 

[Hoosier-Brewer]

In short no. You can cover it for a bit to get the boil rolling, after that remove it. I only cover my boil pot when cooling the wort in an ice bath post boil.

 

[Jdubbs]

Thanks for the quick reply everyone, it's like 24/7 Custer support without the wait!

John

 

[lbaker]

haha..its nice to have beer addicts on hand 24/7...especially on brew days! I had the full intentions of leaving the lid off...but found out I really couldnt get a good boil going without it. What I usually end up doing is leaving the lid half on, it seems like just enough to get things going. And not only does leaving it all the way on cause off flavors but also increases your chances of a boil over 100%! No fun scraping hop residue off the lid... :'(

 

[Hockeyhunter99]

don't cover. your evaporation has a substance called DMS (dimethyl sulfide) can cause a smell of cooked cabbage or corn. unless you are brewing a light lager that needs that taste, don't cover. even a half covered lid can have the DMS drip back into your wort

 

[lbaker]

don't cover. your evaporation has a substance called DMS (dimethyl sulfide) can cause a smell of cooked cabbage or corn. unless you are brewing a light lager that needs that taste, don't cover. even a half covered lid can have the DMS drip back into your wort

Nice to know! I need stronger burners...