Hello everyone. I'm new to brewing, only just completed second batch, and have a question. I'm losing what I think is an extreme amount of volume during the boil. I'm losing about 2.5 gal from a 6.5 gal boil (1hr). From what I've read I should only be losing about 1.5 gal. Can this be due to the type of kettle I'm using? I'm using a 9 gal kettle, but it is very wide. I'm thinking I'm losing a lot due to the large surface area. Would I be better off with a narrower taller kettle? I seem to lose about the same amount whether the kettle is covered or not. The lid is notched for the chiller, so it loses a lot of steam even when covered.
I'm using this kettle, http://www.morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=15755
I'm thinking of switching to this,
http://www.morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=15439
I'm not fond of spending the money on a guess. What do you all think?
Boil off too high
Moderator: slothrob
Boiling Too Hard?
McHoppy:
Kettle geometry plays a factor in evaporation rate, but so does the amount of BTUs you put into from the flame. Before spending money, just try turning down the juice on your boil. It sounds like you might be boiling it too hard. Keep it at a nice rolling boil...not a violent boil. That should help considerably. Until recently I used a 15 gal Polarware which is 18" wide and 13" tall. I would adjust my propane regulator to about 1/4 on and it maintained a nice boil. I'd evaporate from 12 gal down to 10.5 to 11 gal. Try that and let us know. Hate to see you spend $150 needlessly.
v/r
Bill
Kettle geometry plays a factor in evaporation rate, but so does the amount of BTUs you put into from the flame. Before spending money, just try turning down the juice on your boil. It sounds like you might be boiling it too hard. Keep it at a nice rolling boil...not a violent boil. That should help considerably. Until recently I used a 15 gal Polarware which is 18" wide and 13" tall. I would adjust my propane regulator to about 1/4 on and it maintained a nice boil. I'd evaporate from 12 gal down to 10.5 to 11 gal. Try that and let us know. Hate to see you spend $150 needlessly.
v/r
Bill
RE: Boiling to hard?
I appreciate the advice. I had the same thought after the first brew. I attempted on my second brew to turn down the heat. I kept it low enough where if I had the lid off for a few minutes, stirring, the boil would almost stop. Only with the lid on did it have an aggressive rolling boil. I'm not sure I can lower the BTUs any further. I'll keep working at it.
Burner Type
What are you using for a burner?