increasing boil size?

[leysathcj]

Hi All
I'm a new member and have my 1st series of questions. My local home brew shop sells the Brewers Best kits and I have my 2nd batch in primary. I'm currently drinking my 1st batch so I guess that was successful. These kits recommend a 2.5 gallon boil which I have done but I do have a 30qt SS pot so I am capable of boiling a larger quantity.
--Would this be beneficial and/or would it change the expected outcome?

Also, this big pot seems to increase evaporation rate.
--What is the expected evap. loss over the 60 minute boil?
--Should I add water during the boil to keep the wort level the same?
--What changes in beer taste, quality, characterisitic would I expect if I had
too much evap. loss during the boil.

--Brewers Best OK or should I be trying some other brands of kit?

Thanks in advance for your help.

CJ

 

[fifthcircle]

I am of no help, but I just brewed a BB kit and boiled all but about 3/4gal...as well as the entire LME for the full boil. I will know if its jacked up in a few weeks lol

 

[BeerG0ggles]

.....I do have a 30qt SS pot so I am capable of boiling a larger quantity.
--Would this be beneficial and/or would it change the expected outcome?

Generally speaking, people here tend to say larger boils>>smaller boils for better results.

Different pots have different evaporation rates. Trial and error will help dial in your particular equipment. Try some of the free or trial brewing software to play with some numbers. People tend to start with a larger boil and boil down to final volume and gravity. Personally, I'd add water to the primary before the pitch than disturb a boil. YMMV

A book could be written to answer the rest of your questions about the boil. Color, hop utilization, there is a huge amount going on in there. Scaling up a 2 gallon to 5 gallon recipe isn't just about adding more water. Play with the above mentioned software, read here and books, and try a few batches to see how it comes out. You'll get a feel for what you like and what works.

Yes, the BB kits are fine as you work on your techniques. Just be sure to get one that doesn't look like it has been on the shelf for years. The fresher the extract the better. Once you get the feel you can branch out and hit the recipe database.

GL and have fun!

CJ[/QUOTE]

 

[kyleobie]

I would have to think that the biggest difference would be hop utilization. The bigger the boil, the more IBUs you'll get. I think BeerSmith and maybe BeerCalculus can help you with the math for different sized boils and the same recipe.

Out of curiousity, can you get a full 6 or 7 gallons or so to a boil with that pot? You might look into just doing a full boil if you've got a means to cool it.