Question about Recipe Instructions - Extract

[VC15ap18]

Hey Guys,

First time brewer here, I got a kit from Ontario Beer Kegs. It's a Single Hop Citra IPA

https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Sin...Extract_Kits_p/exkit-5gal-singlehop-citra.htm

My Question is i've seen most receipes start with 2.5 gallons of water in a 5 Gallon Kettle. This recipe says 4.25 Gallons. If i add my LME etc won't this be impossible to boil without boilover?

I've attached the actual recipe as well maybe i'm reading it wrong.

Thanks

 

[ncbrewer]

I read it the same way you do. Obviously it would boil over, if it would even all fit in the kettle after adding the extract. I'd allow maybe 3"- 4" of freeboard after adding the extract. It will affect the bitterness a little since hop utilization is dependent on boil gravity, but it should be very little difference. You could compensate by adding some of the extract at the end of the boil - that would give you a lower boil gravity to compensate for the lower than intended volume. You could also take this concept farther and only add roughly 1/4 of the extract at the beginning of the boil and the rest at flameout. If you do this, bitterness would be noticeably affected, and you'd have to adjust hop additions to get it where you want it.

 

[VC15ap18]

Thanks, i was thinking about adding 1/2 of the extract with roughly 10 min left so it doesn't have a chance to carmelize and have a lighter color beer. That may help prevent me from boiling over.

 

[parjay]

Thanks, i was thinking about adding 1/2 of the extract with roughly 10 min left so it doesn't have a chance to carmelize and have a lighter color beer. That may help prevent me from boiling over.

I really prefer adding it at flame out. It only takes seconds for the extract to be pasteurized at those temps, and you won't have to worry about killing your boil. I honestly don't know if your boil timer stops if your boil stops (I always stop mine), but if you add the last of your extract after you're finished with the boil you won't have to answer that question.

 

[ncbrewer]

Thanks, i was thinking about adding 1/2 of the extract with roughly 10 min left so it doesn't have a chance to carmelize and have a lighter color beer. That may help prevent me from boiling over.

I think you'll be happy with this approach, but it still sounds like a potential boil-over. Maybe cut back a little on the water. I agree with parjay that flameout is a better time to add the late extract, but it works either way. I recommend checking on the IBUs also - lower boil gravity will result in more bitterness. Good luck.

 

[MT's AZ Ale Haus]

Maybe order an IMUSA 32qt steam pot.
That'll give you 8gal volume to boil in.
They are only $23 at Walmart.com and you'll have it in a couple days.

Just a thought, I bought one for my mash tun.