Boiling 30 litres in 25 litre Electrim Boiler

[sweatysock]

Hello all,

I have completed 4 AG brews so far after 2 years of kits. I do not regret my decision one bit as the beer is fantastic. I thought the kit brews were good, but had one last night after an AG one and it was hard to finish.

That aside, I am after your thoughts on boiling. I have done a 90 minute boil, but due to the the size of my boiler I cannot get all 30 litres in at the start as the bin is too small. I therefore add as I get room. I am aware then that about 5 litres of the beer is not getting a full 90 minute boil. Is there any adverse effects I could get from this. Beer is clear after week in the FV and does not suffer from haze when served at 12 degrees.

Therefore is their any good reason to upgrade the boiler to a larger size or am I OK doing as I am.

Thank.

[Dr. Dextrin]

If your beer's clearing OK then you're probably getting away with it.

I use a 30 litre Electrim boiler and I sparge to get about 22 litres (for a 5.25 gall brew length). This will boil without much risk of frothing over. I then top up with near-boiling liquor as the wort evaporates during the boil. That way all the wort sugars are boiled for the full 90 mins. Final top-up is in the FV to give either the correct volume or correct OG (or, just occasionally, both ). My efficiency seems pretty good with this arrangement - I normally get around 80 to 85% - and it saves having to get a new boiler.

[raiderman]

I wouldn't worry. I used to use an old tea urn which held about 25l . I mashed in it using what ever it would hold, boiled only for 60m and topped up afterwards in the FV using treated water - never had any problems with clearing. I've got a 50l pot now but I haven't changed my approach and still top up the FV with anything up to a gallon. I'd just adapt your method to fit youre kit and it should come out alright

[sweatysock]

Thanks for the suggestions. I batch sparge so I will prepare my normal amount of liquor but will sparge short and collect the spare liquor as I have done the wort previously. I can then add that as I go along ensuring the sugars are boiled enough.

I am an engineer by trade so had not thought of this simple solution. I like to keep things complicated!

[guypettigrew]

If you sparge short you may lose some efficiency. Sugars left in the grain and all that.

Just a thought.

Guy

[sweatysock]

Guy, thanks for your input. I know what you mean. It is a bit of a catch 22. If I put aside the last 5 litres of the sparge it will be the weakest. It should be the best of both worlds. Thanks again for your thoughts.