First time extract questions

[twistr25]

Finally had my first brew night yesterday and everything went about as well as I could have hoped. Shot for 1.043 gravity and got 1.041, which I believe/blame on not getting as much water to boil off as I thought I would. I was just a touch over 5 gallons, 5 and a 1/4 maybe.

I split the LME addition and was fortunate enough to miss out on the messy hot break.

I do have two questions. First, I removed the pot from the burner when I did my first LME addition, boiled 45 minutes and removed again for the second, is that ok/good idea to do to make sure you don't burn the second addition. Part two to that is it ok that it had to "boil" a little longer since it had to get back up to the boil temp after I took it off?

Second, I'm in a decent apartment with a crappy electric stove. I never felt I got a real good rolling boil but it was technically boiling. Anyone have any tips for remedying that kind of a situation.

Thanks!

 

[user 117534]

You did good by taking it off the burner to add the LME towards the end of the boil. It will go straight to the bottom and burn if you don't. The LME will bring the temp down so you'll have to wait for it to boil again, but that isn't a problem, even if you go over 60 minutes total. Some people don't even bring it back up to a boil and just let it steep in the hot water.

As for the stove, all I can suggest is either boil a smaller volume of water or split it into 2 pots. Optionally, if you have a balcony or patio you can pickup a turkey fryer from Walmart for about $50 that has a propane burner and a 30 liter stock pot. That will let you do full volume boils if you want without fighting an electric burner.

 

[bobbrews]

First, I removed the pot from the burner when I did my first LME addition, boiled 45 minutes and removed again for the second, is that ok/good idea to do to make sure you don't burn the second addition. Part two to that is it ok that it had to "boil" a little longer since it had to get back up to the boil temp after I took it off?

This is fine. You could technically boil extract for a total of only 15-30 minutes if you choose since it simply needs to be sanitized in the water. The maltster has already boiled the dehydrated wort for you, probably for the same amount of time under pressure. A longer boil will increase darkening of the extract and evaporation of the water, which will also concentrate flavor. But you could sub for this by using slightly more extract (or less water) and boiling for less time. The most important thing in my opinion is doing a full volume boil and not topping off with extra plain water to dilute the final product.

Second, I'm in a decent apartment with a crappy electric stove. I never felt I got a real good rolling boil but it was technically boiling. Anyone have any tips for remedying that kind of a situation.

Start with hot water in the kettle - Use a tight fitting lid to bring the plain water up to a rolling boil before adding the extract - Prop the lid halfway on the kettle when boiling without actually covering it (risky) - Straddle two burners - Boil only 2 or 3 gallons at a time - Get a better kettle that retains more heat - Get two kettles for simultaneous boils - Get a new gas stove or boil outside with a propane burner setup

 

[user 117534]

Have a look at this. It explains some of the different techniques for extract brewing. Just keep in mind that some companies (like Cooper's) recommend not boiling their LME, while others do.

http://www.byo.com/stories/techniqu...ct-brewing/619-extract-method-to-your-madness

HTH

 

[PA49erFan21]

So you didn't add all the LME all at once? Humm...I never did that. I don't see why thought would be a problem other than the fact it will take longer. I too, use LME but just add it all in at once with about 2-1/2-3 gallons of water, after I turn the burner off (gas). Why do you split it up again? Going over 5 gallons is fine. AHS typically says to fill the fermenting bucket with water up to 5-1/4 gallons with their recipes. The boil time would start after the LME is added and you get the water back up to a boil. From there you begin your boil and start adding your hops at the appropriate times.

Can you brew outside possibly? I have an outdoor propane burner that I use. Cost about $80 but there are various models and prices out there.

 

[twistr25]

Excellent, thanks! This was a Midwest Irish Red and I think the color came out right and it sure tasted good before going in the fermenter, so I think it'll be ok, just wanted to check for future reference.

Unfortunately the outside burner is on hold for now, just recently got a warning for grilling and having my propane tank attached to my grill. I'll probably try the split pots.

Would it stand to reason if you split the LME into two pots you could split the hops too and end up with the same product once recombined or will it be "watered down"?

 

[user 117534]

Would it stand to reason if you split the LME into two pots you could split the hops too and end up with the same product once recombined or will it be "watered down"?

As long as your combined volume totals what the recipe calls for, or less than the recipe calls for (and then top up with water) you'll be fine.

 

[dfaridoni]

I split my ME up when doing lighter beers. I just did the Irish Red you did, it's in bottles now, and I used about half before boil and half 15 minutes before the boil finishes. I actually boil for an hour even though I have to bring it back up. No compensation for the second ME addition. My lighter beers have come out nice and light. When there's LME and Dme I use the Dme at the beginning and the Lme at the end. I think there's less chance of scorching the Dme.

 

[phatspade]

It looks to me that you're OG is actually 1.042. What you did is perfectly fine since you're water was at a high enough temp to dissolve and sanitize your LME. Splitting the LME addition is the best thing you could do to prevent your beer from ending up dark in color. I really can't add anything to your second question since most replies state the same answer I'd give. I moved on to doing DME and sometimes use LME/DME mix, but I do like to use strictly DME since I have a good color in my beers w/o having to do late additions if I'm not using more than 6 lbs of malt.

 

[BrewChump]

On a side suggestio for the burner, grab one of those cheap camping gas cookers. There like $30 at your local camp store or even cheaper at your local big box variety store(Kmart and BigW here in AUS). They take like a fly spray can style of burner gas that usually come in cheap 3 packs. Or use you local online second hand website and buy an actual camp stove for next to nix and just grab a 9kg gas bottle for it.

 

[twistr25]

It looks to me that you're OG is actually 1.042.

You are correct, and now when I look at it again, I may even have hit the 1.043. I forgot the in-between marks went by 2s. Thank you very much for reminding me of that!