When to start timing the boil

[gretagun]

Okay, this sounds like a ridiculous question , especially since I have been brewing since January, but when should you start timing your boil for the hop additions? We have started our timing/hop additions at 60 minutes after the hot break. Is this correct, or should we start timing it as soon as the wort is boiling prior to the hotbreak? I have been reading more information, trying to gradually tweak our process, and usually I find we have been doing some minor things incorrectly. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

You time it based on when your bittiring hops hit the boil. They should be in there for at least 60 min. You can go longer. Basically 60+ for bittering then time to flamout out for the rest.

Now as far as water evaporation. You can always top up to the amount needed if you are doing extract (well even AG but we usually have a problem with to much water via excess sparge and full boils).

Unless I am First wort hopping (AG thing) then I pitch my bittering hops after the hot break sine this is the most likely time for a boil over and don' like my hops all over the ground.

 

[WorryWort]

What you are doing is fine. It really doesn't matter as long as you measure the hop additions correctly. If you want to you can boil for an hour before you add hops (I don't recommend it for most beers due to excess melanoidin formation, but you COULD).

The main thing to be conscious of in the boil is the evaporation as above. For example if you boil too long you may change your OG by boiling off too much. In general the effect of a longer boil (90 vs 60 minutes) is minimal to non-existent for most beers. You'll want 90 minutes for beers comprised of Pilsner malt though.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Start timing at the first hop addition which should be shortly after the boil begins, and after the hot break. First Wort Hopping (AG) and evaporation rate for full boils is a variable, but usually negligeable unless your boil time is over 60 minutes.

FWIW, my last brewday was a 5 gallon AG batch (90 minute boil) and I began with 7.5 gallons and boiled down to 4.75 gallons over the 90 minutes. My brewpot is a 60 qt (15 gal pot).

 

[gretagun]

shortly after the boil begins, and after the hot break.

Thanks! This is what we have been doing, so I think we are okay. Thanks for the information folks!

 

[Arkador]

hotbreak
addhops, start timer

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I like to do 90 minute boils to ensure hot break and a good rolling boil. Drop the hops and start the countdown timer.