Splitting the Boil

[ryank020]

Is it ok to split the boil of an extract batch into two separate pots? When I did my first batch, I had a significant amount of trouble getting the wort to boil after I added the extract. I was thinking of steeping the grain as instructed, boil and add the extract, then split into two separate pots at that point. To ensure that the beer comes out right, I would split the hops when I add them to the recipe. Is this ok? Would it create any problems if the hops are not exactly split (I don't have a scale so I would have to guess on the weight for the hops)?

Thanks for the help.

 

[jonmohno]

Yes its ok,if you have two small measuring jars just eyball them, or count tablespons out in two seperate containers.Im pretty shure you may slightly need to increase you water because you may have more evaporation.Your doing a full boil then? Did your first batch eventually boil? If so just put a lid on it but keep an eye on it with a thermomer too so it doenst boil over with hot break,then take the lid of to maintain the hotbreak.

 

[hopsgrinder]

Why would you want to split to boil in two separate pots? I've only been brewing for a couple years now and the only reason is your making a big batch but don't have to room in your kettel. That would make sense. But all I got to say is make sure your gravity is the same for both pots, other wise you'll have two different brews, then do what the above suggested measure out in table spoons if you don't have a scale. (Scales are relatively cheap now, like 20 bucks)

 

[hopsgrinder]

Oh ya and put your extract in your wort first before you boil so you don't burn. If you do burn that's gonna give a different flavor you may not enjoy.

 

[Dahoov]

I have heard many people that do this in addition to me. I used to split my boils into a 4 and 5 gallon pots. Been doing it that way for a long time and I think my beer turned out pretty good. My friends seem to agree. I only got the bigger pot this month and the two batches I have done with it are still in the fermenter so I can't say yet about differences.

Your boil off rate will almost double so keep that in mind. With 2 pots I boiled off just over 2 gallons per hour. Now I boil off just over 1 gallon per hour.

 

[hopsgrinder]

Oh ya another hint take a gravity reading before you add any hops

 

[hopsgrinder]

I have heard many people that do this in addition to me. I used to split my boils into a 4 and 5 gallon pots. Been doing it that way for a long time and I think my beer turned out pretty good. My friends seem to agree. I only got the bigger pot this month and the two batches I have done with it are still in the fermenter so I can't say yet about differences.

Your boil off rate will almost double so keep that in mind. With 2 pots I boiled off just over 2 gallons per hour. Now I boil off just over 1 gallon per hour.

Ya that's what I'm talking about. You boiled in separate pots to make a big batch (20gal) right

 

[Dahoov]

Ya that's what I'm talking about. You boiled in separate pots to make a big batch (20gal) right

No, but I do all grain so for a 5 gallon batch (5.5 gallons into the fermenter) my boil with 2 pots start between 7.5 and 8.25 gallons depending if I am doing a 60 or 90 minute boil. I just eyeball the hops. I figure I get better utilization in one pot at the expense of the other pot, but want hops in both pots.

For a single pot the boil starts between 6.5 and 7.25 gallons depending on 60/90 minute boil.

 

[djfriesen]

Splitting is fine. Hop characteristics won't change drastically. You might get slightly different utilizations between the 2 pots, but you won't know the difference. Boiloff will change, but that's a snap to account for.

A gravity reading is superfluous. You're using the same total amount of fermentables, and it will all go into the same place in the end. Just do the best you can as far as splitting the extract and hops evenly, and you'll be fine. You can also do late extract addition, it won't change anything.

 

[ryank020]

Thanks for the help guys. The reason I want to split the boil is not because of the size of the batch, but the first batch I did I spent probably 2 hours waiting for it to boil (I'm using an electric range so I'm wondering if that is the issue), and I only got it to boil by putting the lid on about 3/4 of the way. From what I have read it is best to leave the lid off so everything in the extract can evaporate rather than drip back into the wort. That is why I was questioning this method.

 

[jonmohno]

Yeah you want a good boil and if it means splitting your batch do so unless you want to top off with water, i dont know if topping off is good brewing practice or not but alot of people do it, i havnt but i would rather do a full boil, i dont know if there is any science or testimonies for partial boil and taste or whatever,i just try to avoid it.I would like to try it just to see how it turns out shure its fine but there is a line between fine and fine beer.