So I have made pumpkin ale 3 years in a row. But this year I made a few changes and in turn I had a few problems. This year I was working with my new Blichmann kettle. As opposed to boiling 4 gallons in my basic 8 gallon kettle, and having to top up at the end in my bottle, I was able to boil a full 5 gallons in my new 10 gallon. But I read that I should start with 6 gallons cause one gallon would boil off. Made sense. But at the end of my boil I had a full 6 gallons and so I had to dump one gallon. So I guess I essentially ended with diluted wort, right?
Second, I decided to use real pumpkin this year vice canned. Jeez that was a nightmware at the end. It was too thick and got stuck and I kept having to tilt the kettle to get it out. Should I use a grain bag in the future for the fresh pumpkin?
Last, I don't know if it was more wort, different kettle, etc but my basic copper wort chiller did nothing. I seriously took me 2 1/4 hours to cool it down. More than double using my old kettle. Should I step up my wort chiller?
Thanks for the advice.
Second, I decided to use real pumpkin this year vice canned. Jeez that was a nightmware at the end. It was too thick and got stuck and I kept having to tilt the kettle to get it out. Should I use a grain bag in the future for the fresh pumpkin?
Last, I don't know if it was more wort, different kettle, etc but my basic copper wort chiller did nothing. I seriously took me 2 1/4 hours to cool it down. More than double using my old kettle. Should I step up my wort chiller?
Thanks for the advice.