So HTB says a significant factor in hop utilization is the "vigor" of the boil. I use a crappy electric stove and can barely achieve a simmer when I boil. Should I increase my boil time by 10-15 mins to compensate? Has anyone done empirical tests along these lines and actually noticed a significant difference in bitterness?
P.S. Since hops are expensive and more boiling = more hop utilization, why not make all your boils 75+ mins? Is 60 mins normally enough to achieve maximum hop utilization, or does it have more to do with not wanting to over-caramelize the malt? If the latter, then why not just boil the hops for 15+ mins by itself and then add the malt and boil for 60? (I'm obviously talking about extract brewing here.)
Any thoughts/opinions? Thanks!
P.S. Since hops are expensive and more boiling = more hop utilization, why not make all your boils 75+ mins? Is 60 mins normally enough to achieve maximum hop utilization, or does it have more to do with not wanting to over-caramelize the malt? If the latter, then why not just boil the hops for 15+ mins by itself and then add the malt and boil for 60? (I'm obviously talking about extract brewing here.)
Any thoughts/opinions? Thanks!