Ok 2nd batch going to be brewed after these are answered!

[Zwan05]

So i just got back from the store with a coopers IPA kit, 3lbs of malt extract (because last time my alcohol % was way too low), priming sugar, and peach stuff! So now that i know there is a million ways to do this im going to do a 8qt boil. But how long do i boil the ipa kit and 3lbs of malt extract? the guy at the store said big boil and less boil time is better? please enlighten me. and when its time to bottle i will put in the peach stuff.

 

[impatient]

Hops utilization is based on time.

60 minutes is the optimum bittering addition
20 minutes is the optimum flavor addition
8 minutes is the optimim aroma addition

For the boil amount, the lower the gravity the better the hops utilization.

Since you are going a kit, you can accomplish this best by doing a 6 gallon boil(expecting 1 gallon of evaporation) and only adding half of you extracts at the beginning of your boil. Add the rest @ flameout.

However, if you ever switch to AG, you must boil all of the wort to boil of unwanted off flavors.

 

[Stormrider51]

If I'm reading your post correctly, you have the kit AND 3# of additional extract. Eight quarts (two gallons) is an awfully small boil for that much sugar. I'd do the kit as the boil and then add the additional extract at the end. Otherwise, I see burned tasting beer in your future.

John

 

[Zwan05]

You did read it right... So put in 3lbs of extract after its off the flame them dump it into the bucket with 2 gallons of additional water?

 

[ajf]

How do you know that your alcohol % was way too low last time? If you are basing this on (OG - FG) * 131, then your OG reading was probably incorrect. (OG readings are very difficult with partial boils, because the top off water tends to dilute the sample), but with extract, it is almost impossible to miss the forecast OG (no matter what the hydrometer says).

Adding an extra 3# DME to a 5g batch is going to drastically change the recipe.

-a.

 

[Zwan05]

I guess we will se what happens I mean I'm putting in peace flavoring at bottling so o well gota experiment that's the fun!

 

[BioBeing]

You did read it right... So put in 3lbs of extract after its off the flame them dump it into the bucket with 2 gallons of additional water?

Add the 3lb with about 15 min of the boil left. You still need to cook it some to pasterurize it.

 

[Zwan05]

So how long am I boiling bc the coopers says I don't even boil the stuff just the water I get different directions from everyone. Boil to long I'm told ill get carmelization idk what to do!

 

[Stormrider51]

So how long am I boiling bc the coopers says I don't even boil the stuff just the water I get different directions from everyone. Boil to long I'm told ill get carmelization idk what to do!

Well, first take a deep breath. I think we are missing some info here. Does that kit already have the hops in the extract or are there hops to be added during the boil? If the extract is already hopped then yes you can get by with a very short boil. If you must add the bittering hops then you need about a full hour boil.

Are you planning to do a 2 gallon boil because that is the largest pot you have? If so, you really need a larger pot. By the time you put in enough water to dissolve the extract that's in the kit you will not have enough room to add those extra 3# because the wort will need to be boiling or near boiling to get the extra extract to dissolve.

I really agree with AJF, adding 3# of extract is going to really change that beer. You will be working with a high OG. Don't be surprised if the fermentation is delayed. Keep in mind that anything between 12-72 hours is okay and some yeasts will take even longer to show active fermentation.

John

 

[Zwan05]

time isnt a factor on this brew being its my second and i got that out of my system... i dont really have a pot big enough so 8 quarts is sort of my limit. The kit is pre hopped if im not mistaken all coopers canned are? Last time i did the coopers i boiled it then added the malt and can off the flame brought it back to a boil and boiled it for 15 min then dumped it into the remaining water in the bucket. So the final question is how long do i boil and when do i put in the 3lbs?

 

[Stormrider51]

Okay, that simplifies things. You can add all the extract to the boiling water at the same time. Let boil for at least 15 minutes. I'm sorry about not knowing about Cooper's. I have never used a canned kit and only did one batch of all-extract before going to mini-mash. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

John

 

[Zwan05]

im doing a full boil so im just going to add all at once then boil for 15 min

 

[ajf]

i dont really have a pot big enough so 8 quarts is sort of my limit.

im doing a full boil so im just going to add all at once then boil for 15 min

So you can only boil 8 quarts, and that is a full boil?
And you're going to add an extra 3 lbs DME to this batch

I wish you luck. Unless I misunderstand something here, you're going to need it.

-a.