How Vigorous is your Boil?

[jawsfree]

I know it's a topic for debate and has been debated often on the forum but I wanted to attach some video to see it in action. If a picture is worth 1,000 words then a video is worth 1,000,000? The first video is on my old 15 gallon kettle using BG-10 burners. The second video is on a 26 gallon kettle using BG-14 burners. Post a video of your boil so we can define what is rolling or vigorous or just enough to drive off the DMS precursors.

 

[kh54s10]

The videos are not working.

 

[jawsfree]

The videos are not working.

fixed now. thanks

 

[Peruvian802]

I generally have a more aggressive boil to throw off any DMS, but I do watch my boil off rate and will slow the boil towards the end if I'm loosing too much volume.

 

[KeninMN]

My usual boil is more like the second video.

 

[Yooper]

My usual boil is more like the second video.

Mine too. The first one looks like more of a simmer, but it's hard to really see a good boil going until after the hot break.

Once the hot break happens, you can see the wort turning over better. It should turn over, and not just simmer.

 

[beersk]

Mine is about like the second one.

 

[douglasbarbin]

My typical boil is probably somewhere in between the 2 videos.

 

[BUCKNUTS]

definitely more like the second. That damn pot is full how do keep it from boiling over? I have to have a little room in the kettle or I would be babysitting the boil the entire time.

 

[douglasbarbin]

definitely more like the second. That damn pot is full how do keep it from boiling over? I have to have a little room in the kettle or I would be babysitting the boil the entire time.

Kettle defoamer or Fermcap S

 

[Qhrumphf]

Somewhere in between, depending on boil volume, but unless I'm doing a small batch it's closer to the first. Gently rolling, not violent.

 

[normonster]

Lol I'm doing exactly as you've done....moving to 26 from 15. 14.5 in a 15 gallon kettle really requires serious attention.

PS - they don't agree with me, but for gods sake get that damn hot break out of there!!!!!!!

 

[kh54s10]

My boil is more like the second but that is partly because if I lower the flame any more it goes out!

 

[BUCKNUTS]

Kettle defoamer or Fermcap S

Ahh of course. It didnt occur to me because I've never used either.

 

[Infected]

My stove top boil is like the second with an 8 gal pot.

My propane burner was way more vigorous but I found not a lot of difference by using the stove, and I don't spend money on propane anymore

 

[vNmd]

I like this thread because I always wondered. In the past (until next brew) my boil was like the first. I was going to try a faster boil but after this thread I am looking forward to my next brew and seeing what difference it will make.

 

[olotti]

Good thread. I've always wondered if I'm boiling to much or to vigorously and looking at the two examples I started off boiling like example #1 and always had to boil longer since I never hit my OG, now my boil looks more like #2 and then I'll cut it down the last 15 min or so if the volume is approaching where I need it so I don't boil off more or maybe I'll increase it a little just depend on where I'm at. But my boil always starts like #2.

 

[Aonghus]

My boil is usually more vigorous than your 2nd boil, I really want my alpha acids to isomerize well. I loose a lot of volume that way and have to account for it. The Blickmann burners can just really hammer a 10 or 15 gallon pot.

 

[ryancericson11]

Mine is like the second at first then slow the boil down either to maintain target volume or when I add aroma additions.

 

[beersk]

My boil is usually more vigorous than your 2nd boil, I really want my alpha acids to isomerize well. I loose a lot of volume that way and have to account for it. The Blickmann burners can just really hammer a 10 or 15 gallon pot.

I'm not sure boiling harder really isomerizes the hops more...ya think? I don't see why there'd be a difference between a gentle boil and a vigorous boil. It's only a matter of a degree or two.

My boil off is only about 9%, which is pretty low. But I use a pretty tall and narrow kettle. The boil is fairly vigorous, but I'm not sure it really matters all that much as long as it's rolling.