Speeding up the AG proces by using hot tap water

[bpgreen]

How old is your plumbing? Lead based solder used to be used in plumbing before it was banned (1986 in the US and Canada). Hot water can cause the lead to leach into the water.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I've never brewed with anything other than hot tap water. My wife and I both cook with hot tap water, and have since we got married in 1971. I guess we just aren't as highly evolved as some.

Have you been brewing since 1971?!? You're like homebrewing Yoda!

 

[grampamark]

Have you been brewing since 1971?!? You're like homebrewing Yoda!

I've only been brewing since 2011. I've been married since 1971 (and cooking with hot tap water longer than that).

 

[brewcat]

How much time would it actually save? 10 minutes maybe? I am curious of the difference between hot and cold as far as minerals. I start with cold water. Ever drain a tank?

 

[r4dyce]

How much time would it actually save? 10 minutes maybe? I am curious of the difference between hot and cold as far as minerals. I start with cold water. Ever drain a tank?

For me it's the difference between 45-50F and 105F. If I'm using my big vessels that's 45-60 minutes.

 

[seatazzz]

+1 to the above. If I start with water from the heater I'm at strike temp within about 20 minutes. From dead cold it takes over an hour. To me that's propane I can use for another brew, as well as time I can spend doing other things that need to be done on weekends. Unless your water heater was manufactured in the 70's you should be safe.

Further to the above, the water will be boiled eventually and anything nasty will be obliterated (except for heavy metals, which if you already have them in your water heater you're probably screwed anyway). I'd be interested to see a basic water test done on heated water from a heater for residual minerals, metals, etc.

 

[applescrap]

I have battled this out here in the past. You are lucky that you didnt get the pictures of rotted heaters. Dont worry someone will add them. I have a new one now and before used a p.o.s.

The advice given above is good, pour a hot and a cold glass and let them sit and then taste.

I used hot water for Speed. And sometimes I still do, but I prefer not to. In fact I try to use the most expensive water I can afford, but sometimes I just use tap water. I'm not sure there's any ill effect. You know some people will make it sound like that water sits in there forever. With a family of four and showers and everything I'm not sure how long the water really sits in there. Either way, want to talk about a first world problem....

As a final thought, beer is 90 percent water, so imho is an important factor, if not one of the most.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I do all my brewing with RO water. When it's cold out, I move the jugs into the house the night before so that it's room temp to start.

We have decent tap water here, but I would never brew with it because I don't feel like I can trust it. Even with a comprehensive water report,there's no guarantee it's the same in April as it is in August. With RO water, I know what I'm getting and what my starting point is. From there, I can ensure I have exactly the water profile I want.

I don't brew enough beer to risk brewing with less than optimal water.

 

[z-bob]

I make coffee and tea with hot tapwater all the time and don't taste any difference. Also cook with it. My water-heater is about 2 years old.

I brew with cold tapwater for the mash, but have been thinking about using hot tapwater for the sparge so I don't have to lug another 2 gallons of hot water up the stairs in a bucket. (have an ersatz electric kettle that will only plug-in in the basement or garage)

 

[user 125772]

Water heaters have a sacrificial magnesium (or aluminum/zinc) anode rod in them. Not to mention there are certain types of bacteria that can thrive in them, depending on what temp it's set at and if you're using well water. Minerals tend to concentrate inside the tanks also.

I don't use hot tap water for anything food related, but YMMV.

True.
I also don't use hot tap water for anything food related

 

[InTheBasement]

I only brew with new water that I make myself by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a sealed, glass chamber. It's the only way to guarantee that the water is pure. I used to brew with tap water but then I found out that tap water is water that has been around for millions of years, just travelling through the water cycle. It's quite likely that the water coming out of your tap was once the pee of an animal, and that just does not make good beer. You need to make sure that the water is heated only in a vessel that is specifically designed and produced for use in beer making.

 

[r4dyce]

I only brew with new water that I make myself by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a sealed, glass chamber. It's the only way to guarantee that the water is pure. I used to brew with tap water but then I found out that tap water is water that has been around for millions of years, just travelling through the water cycle. It's quite likely that the water coming out of your tap was once the pee of an animal, and that just does not make good beer. You need to make sure that the water is heated only in a vessel that is specifically designed and produced for use in beer making.

The funny thing is I think your joking, but I can't be a 100% sure around here lol.

 

[ProblemChild]

I only brew with new water that I make myself by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a sealed, glass chamber. It's the only way to guarantee that the water is pure. I used to brew with tap water but then I found out that tap water is water that has been around for millions of years, just travelling through the water cycle. It's quite likely that the water coming out of your tap was once the pee of an animal, and that just does not make good beer. You need to make sure that the water is heated only in a vessel that is specifically designed and produced for use in beer making.

You know that "True Beer Guy" don't you?

 

[applescrap]

I only brew with new water that I make myself by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a sealed, glass chamber. It's the only way to guarantee that the water is pure. I used to brew with tap water but then I found out that tap water is water that has been around for millions of years, just travelling through the water cycle. It's quite likely that the water coming out of your tap was once the pee of an animal, and that just does not make good beer. You need to make sure that the water is heated only in a vessel that is specifically designed and produced for use in beer making.

Haha, i love this, thank you.

 

[seatazzz]

I'm seeing a pattern here...and in other threads. Y'all are gettin silly...and I love it.

 

[Barleymist]

Water heaters are lead traps.
http://blogs.edf.org/health/2018/02/26/lead-hot-water-issue-worth-testing/