Gonna start a first batch

MadMarty911 · Jul 17, 2012

Now I have a Q or 2. When it says to add cold water in the primary to the cooled wort, does that mean I boil it first then cool it? Or just add cold water?

henrybeggs · Jul 17, 2012

MadMarty911 said:
Now I have a Q or 2. When it says to add cold water in the primary to the cooled wort, does that mean I boil it first then cool it? Or just add cold water?

Sounds like a kit

. When the wort is finished boiling you want to cool it as quickly as possible as this aids in making a clearer beer. I used an ice bath and added table salt to make it extra cold. You want to get the wort to a temperature that is within the temp. range of your yeast, the cold water is just to prevent the wort from being too hot to pitch the yeast.

duboman · Jul 17, 2012

MadMarty911 said:
Now I have a Q or 2. When it says to add cold water in the primary to the cooled wort, does that mean I boil it first then cool it? Or just add cold water?

I used I always just add cold tap water without boiling and never had any problems

IXVolt · Jul 17, 2012

Yes it's a good idea to pre-boil the top off water.

twistr25 · Jul 17, 2012

I've seen 50/50 on whether or not to boil the water. Brewers who do, typically boil the top off water the day before and chill it in a sanitized container and use it on brew day ready to go. I've seen just as many say if its good enough to drink it won't harm a thing. If you want to be on the safe side, I'd boil it the day before, or whenever, and have it ready to go on brew day.

beergolf · Jul 17, 2012

I have used gallons of spring water from the grocery. I put them in the freezer when I start my. boil. By the time the boil is done the water is very cold. Cool wort to aout 80, add the two gallons of chilled water and it puts it in the mid 60's.