My first beer

[onelostrn]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the interesting reading. I just brewed my first beer yesterday with the kit my lovely wife got me for Christmas. I have to say that it went fairly well; except for the time it took to get the 3 gallons of water to boil. I boiled on my propane cook stove and it took about 1 hour and 45 min to get it up to boil. Not sure why the lengthy heat time but next batch will be done outside on the turkey burner. I am very excited to get my next batch started and am thoroughly addicted and planning my next batch.

 

[coryforsenate]

Your stove probably doesn't put out enough BTU's to heat 3 gallons of water very well.

Electric stoves get hotter, but the outdoor propane setup is probably the best.


I do mine on an electric stove and also have my brew kettle wrapped in aluminized insulation.

 

[HomelessWook]

my first brew (2 weeks in primary) never reached a rolling boil.

followed the kit instructions because i knew it was at least a 'good enough boil'

i cooled it (thank god i just watched a youtube video right before cooling) that said i should cool my wort - which my kit never mentioned - so i filled my sink with cold water and ice

i pitched the yeast after i dumped it into the primary probaly 15-25 mins of the water bath

it was 3:49am ET when i pitched it - when i woke up about 12 PM ET i had lots of bubbles in my air lock.

i guess their is no real bottom line or reason for this post except you can not really **** beer up

i used a gas stove and after about an hour of nothing - turned a second burner on and centered the pot over top of the two burners.

 

[rcreveli]

My gas stove did fine on 2-2.5 Gallons, Once I went to 3 it was done. I left a lid 3/4 on to keep it at a good boil.