Probably a REALLY dumb question...

[scdigger]

Saturday is brew day! First batch...

Will be doing my cooking outside on my propane burner...

Does it make a difference to boil with the lid on or off? I don't want to risk any creepy crawlies adding extro protein to the wort!

Seriously, does the lid, at any phase of the process make a difference?

Greg

 

[renrutle]

You should always boil with the lid off. There are compounds (most notably DMS) that need to be boiled off.

If you are worried about debris falling in you could cover the boil kettle with a screen.

 

[TallDan]

Saturday is brew day! First batch...

Will be doing my cooking outside on my propane burner...

Does it make a difference to boil with the lid on or off? I don't want to risk any creepy crawlies adding extro protein to the wort!

Seriously, does the lid, at any phase of the process make a difference?

Greg

Yes. You want the lid off during the boil.

a) so you can keep an eye on boilovers
b) to allow DMS precursors to boil off and escape
c) so that the boil concentrates your wort by boiling off water
d) so you can watch

I usually leave the lid on to get up to about 205F, then take it off for the boil. You could leave it partially on so that some steam can escape and you'll be fine. That said, i don't think any creepy crawlies will find their way into your kettle anyway. Boiling wort, steam, and the heat from the burner does not make a friendly environment for them.

 

[mkyl428]

+1 to what they said. I do my brewing outside & I've never had a problem with things ending up in the kettle

 

[kh54s10]

If it is windy or leaves etc. are falling rig some sort of canopy or umbrella above the pot. High enough so you don't have to worry about it bursting into flames.

 

[scdigger]

n/t

 

[likwidbliss]

Let the bugs in!


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[b-boy]

If a bug falls in you'll just boil it, so don't worry. Cover it when you're cooling it. That's when you need to worry about stuff falling in.

 

[dkeller12]

I use a grease splatter screen that you can get for cooking at any store. It is just a round screen cover that you normally use to keep oil from splattering on the stove when cooking. Works great and it allows all the steam to escape. But keeps leaves and other things out.


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