Quick question about cold weather brewing

[cpferris]

I am brewing tomorrow here in nothern indiana where the temps are currently in the teens with windchills around zero.

I heat my strike/sparge water and conduct my boil on a propane burner in my garage with the two doors half way open for cross ventilation.

Obviously for heating strike/sparge water there's no reason not to used a lid to help expedite the heating process.

However for the boil, I know you should do that uncovered. My issue is that given these temps, it has actually taken a while to get the wort to a boil.

Is it acceptable to cover the wort with a lit to expedite getting to the boil, then removing it once boil is achieved?

I am worried about excessive water loss due to addition heating/boil time due to the extreme temps.

Thanks,
Chad

 

[CRoth36]

You can cover if you want to. I live in Wyoming and brew outside all winter long. I do both. Don't worry about water loss. If you lose more than expected just add a little water towards the end of the boil to bring it back up. Have fun.

 

[doby]

Yep I too am in colder than normal, let the lid on till it gets boiling then remove

 

[MDBrew69]

Dimethyl sulphide (DMS) is volatilized by boiling the wort and escapes the pot in steam. As long as you remove the lid once you hit a good rolling boil, you should not have any issues with off flavors from the DMS. Good luck with your cold weather brewing!

 

[kenny_d]

Dimethyl sulphide (DMS) is volatilized by boiling the wort and escapes the pot in steam. As long as you remove the lid once you hit a good rolling boil, you should not have any issues with off flavors from the DMS. Good luck with your cold weather brewing!

+1

 

[cpferris]

Thanks all...I have a plan!

Also...I am already planning a little more in my pre-boil volume to compensate for extra loss during the boil. Hopefully that pays off.

 

[kh54s10]

Make sure you wear a couple of pairs of socks. I did a brew about 2 weeks ago. The high was about 45 but by the time the wort was cooled I was frozen. Still in the high thirties.

A lid is good until the boil starts.

 

[doby]

I brewed today in the teen's and didn't notice a loss due to taking longer to get up to boil,was not windy but tomorrow might be and I'm brewing again. Do you think you have to compensate? Maybe I have to rethink/plan

 

[doby]

Make sure you wear a couple of pairs of socks. I did a brew about 2 weeks ago. The high was about 45 but by the time the wort was cooled I was frozen. Still in the high thirties.

A lid is good until the boil starts.

I haven't had the pleasure to brew in the 40's for months, I won't complain much though at least it hasn't been windy