I still don't have it

[user 78027]

I just did my third batch, 2.5 gallons and I still need to add over 1 gallon of water when I am done with the boil.

My first batch I boiled 2.5 gallons because I didn't know any better. I ended with a little over 1 gallon.

Next time I thought I was smarter and lowered the boil, less vigorous, and added 1 gallon of extra water and when I was done I was still over 1 gallon short.

This time I added 1.5 gallons and it was still over 1 gallon short.

It is getting warmer outside so maybe more to evaporation, or maybe I just have the boil to high. I kept trying to get it lower, it still turned out too low.

Is this to be expected? How hard should the boil be? I assume that its just the temperature that is important and a slight roll is adequate. I was a little higher then that.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Hamsterheadsalem]

Start with about 4.5 gallons of water and boil with your lid on. You should only have to add a gallon to a gallon and a half to bring your wort to 5 gallons.

 

[NivekD]

Don't boil with the lid on. Gotta let the DMS get out. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/DMS. As far as your boil, nothing wrong with adding water post boil.

 

[user 78027]

Don't boil with the lid on. Gotta let the DMS get out. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/DMS. As far as your boil, nothing wrong with adding water post boil.

With such a small amount of wort, the concentration is pretty high and I worry that all the high concentrated stuff left behind in the bottom inch that stays behind with the hot break material.

 

[NivekD]

As long a your're hitting your SG you should be fine.

 

[masskrug]

Do you use any software to anticipate evaporation?

Here's a free one: http://www.brewtarget.org/download.html

 

[user 78027]

Do you use any software to anticipate evaporation?

Here's a free one: http://www.brewtarget.org/download.html

I down loaded the software and tried to create my equipment. I do only extract brews. At this point that's all I want. It won't let me have a 0 gal mash tun?

 

[woozy]

Try practicing boiling water and measuring your boil-off on your non-brew days. Assuming you are using the same kettle boil-off rates should be consistent. So it's probably how high you boil. You don't want to boil too high because you don't want boil overs but other than that I don't think/don't know that how high you boil will affect the beer. Nothing wrong with ending up with only a gallon. Although I know what you mean about not feeling comfortable with such a concentrate.

But if you always boil off at least a gallon. Then you can safely start with 3 gallons.

 

[amandabab]

Start with about 4.5 gallons of water and boil with your lid on. .

no, do not do this.

 

[Hamsterheadsalem]

no, do not do this.

Why not?

 

[doby]

Because you can get a cooked corn flavor or similar, when you boil with the lis off it lets dms out witch produces these off flovors.

Your only boiling off water anyway not fermentables so why keep it on?

http://beersmith.com/blog/2012/04/10/dimethyl-sulfides-dms-in-home-brewed-beer/