Topping up post boil

(That's water to the rest of us!) Beer is about 95% water, so if you want to discuss water treatment, filtering etc this is the place to do it!
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Meatymc
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Topping up post boil

Post by Meatymc » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:07 pm

I had to replace my gas ring a few months ago having managed to snap off the tap and unable to get a replacement part. Since then - and bearing in mind exact same replacement ring/gas/set-up, the boil has been OK but not as vigorous as previously. Whereas I could dial it back on the old ring I'm now at full belt throughout the boil. Looking back through my notes, post-boil gravity readings are very slightly lower than before although marginally and not necessarily consistently.

So, as I've seen mentioned elsewhere, I'm wondering about reducing the boil volume and topping up after using same per ratio treated water.

This might result in using less gas whilst achieving a better 'boil' and also help temp reduction for pitching. However, if there are only pluses you'd expect that to be standard practice so, apart from not sterilising the additional treated liquid (which I could do separately and even beforehand) there has to be more reasons not to do it.

Thoughts?

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Mashman
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by Mashman » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:53 pm

I have done this frequently in the past with no adverse effects. I used to keep a couple of bottles of spring water at hand. Using he beersmith dilution tool to calculate how much to add the get the desired OG.

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MashBag
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by MashBag » Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:13 am

Yup. Top up post boil all the time.

Never seen the benefit of boiling extra perfectly drinkable water and making your head hurt with unnecessary math.

When water was not safe to drink that was a different matter.

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Meatymc
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by Meatymc » Fri Jun 25, 2021 11:28 am

Thanks guys - don't know I haven't thought of this myself!

Is there a limit/implications in how much is added in your experience - say up to 20%? And are you saying 'untreated' (as in Ashbeck for example) is OK??

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MashBag
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by MashBag » Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:10 pm

Yup 20% would be a good guide. I use tap, bottled would be fine.

WalesAles
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by WalesAles » Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:43 pm

MashBag wrote:
Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:10 pm
Yup 20% would be a good guide. I use tap, bottled would be fine.
HaHaHa,
Meaty will use tap water because he is a tight Yorkshire Man.
No WAY will he purchase that expensive Ashbeck stuff. :lol:

WA

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MashBag
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by MashBag » Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:47 am

I think he will right then... My inner Yorkshire man prefers tap too.

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Meatymc
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by Meatymc » Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:38 am

WalesAles wrote:
Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:43 pm
HaHaHa,
Meaty will use tap water because he is a tight Yorkshire Man.
No WAY will he purchase that expensive Ashbeck stuff. :lol:
WA
Damn right! Having said that if I'm treating the water for the boil I may as well use treated tap water to top up.

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Eric
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by Eric » Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:43 am

Tap water used here, with acid addition to remove all alkalinity.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.

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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by drjim » Tue Oct 19, 2021 7:19 pm

Been thinking about doing this to get a bigger volume fermenting without needing to boil it all. Given rising gas/leccy prices it struck me it would be a good idea for standard size batches too, mash/boil at higher gravity and then dilute in fermenter.

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MashBag
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Re: Topping up post boil

Post by MashBag » Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:30 am

Yup. Why spend on fuel you don't need?

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