Author Topic: What is an adequate wort boil time  (Read 1269 times)

Offline Alewyfe

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What is an adequate wort boil time
« on: January 30, 2013, 03:22:14 pm »
I've been adding an extra gallon of water or so to my tun near the end of my sparge, and just let it gravity run off while I'm finishing up the rest of my brew day. I end up with a gallon or more which I can just boil up and use for my next starter.

I trust I don't need to boil it all that long as most of it will be decanted off the yeast. I've been going with 15-20 minutes, or enough to evaporate it to around 1.026-30 gravity. Then I either can it, if I have a goodly amount, or refrigerate or freeze.

Any problems with this procedure?
Diane
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2013, 03:53:13 pm »
Your process sounds fine to me.  You are only boiling for sanitation reasons (no hops) so 15 or 20 minutes should be fine. 

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Offline kramerog

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2013, 03:59:31 pm »
I think your gravity is a little low for a starter.  My starters are usually 1.040.
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Offline jlo

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What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2013, 04:00:24 pm »
You could also just freeze it and boil it when you make your starter.

Offline denny

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2013, 04:13:04 pm »
AFAIAC, 1.026-30 is perfect for a starter.  Tom, if you're reading, any significant difference to the yeast between 1.026 and 1.040?  Would you prefer one over the other?

To your question, Diane, I agree with everybody else....that should be plenty of time.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2013, 02:48:17 am »
There would be a difference to the yeast, but I am not sure it makes enough of a difference to worry about.  I wouldn't go above 1.040 though, I think it is just a waste of DME.  I make my starters with ~10% DME and 100% water, which should have SG around 1.037.  I should probably cut back to 8% DME.
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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2013, 09:19:20 am »
You could also just freeze it and boil it when you make your starter.

That's what I do.
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2013, 09:31:57 am »
There would be a difference to the yeast, but I am not sure it makes enough of a difference to worry about.  I wouldn't go above 1.040 though, I think it is just a waste of DME.  I make my starters with ~10% DME and 100% water, which should have SG around 1.037.  I should probably cut back to 8% DME.
wait that's 110% Tom, how do you manage that?  :o ;D
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Offline dak0415

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2013, 09:36:12 am »
There would be a difference to the yeast, but I am not sure it makes enough of a difference to worry about.  I wouldn't go above 1.040 though, I think it is just a waste of DME.  I make my starters with ~10% DME and 100% water, which should have SG around 1.037.  I should probably cut back to 8% DME.
wait that's 110% Tom, how do you manage that?  :o ;D
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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2013, 10:11:40 am »
There would be a difference to the yeast, but I am not sure it makes enough of a difference to worry about.  I wouldn't go above 1.040 though, I think it is just a waste of DME.  I make my starters with ~10% DME and 100% water, which should have SG around 1.037.  I should probably cut back to 8% DME.
wait that's 110% Tom, how do you manage that?  :o ;D
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Offline bluesman

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2013, 10:31:58 am »
I trust I don't need to boil it all that long as most of it will be decanted off the yeast. I've been going with 15-20 minutes, or enough to evaporate it to around 1.026-30 gravity. Then I either can it, if I have a goodly amount, or refrigerate or freeze.

Any problems with this procedure?

I've used second runnings for starters and also "waking up" yeast slurrys prior to fermention with great success. I like to boil the wort if has been stored or frozen, as a precautionary (sanitation) measure. I'll boil for 10 minutes minimum. I aim for 1.030-1.040.

This procedure works well.
Ron Price

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2013, 10:38:50 am »
I trust I don't need to boil it all that long as most of it will be decanted off the yeast. I've been going with 15-20 minutes, or enough to evaporate it to around 1.026-30 gravity. Then I either can it, if I have a goodly amount, or refrigerate or freeze.

Any problems with this procedure?

I've used second runnings for starters and also "waking up" yeast slurrys prior to fermention with great success. I like to boil the wort if has been stored or frozen, as a precautionary (sanitation) measure. I'll boil for 10 minutes minimum. I aim for 1.030-1.040.

This procedure works well.

I have done this in the past to great affect. I keep meaning to do it again but I am too lazy. Next time (we will see).

What I like to do is put about .75 qt in a 1 qt mason jar and pressure can it. This should make it totally safe and sterile for storage unfrozen for a very long time. and with .25 qt head space I can sanitize the outside, crack the seal, pitch the yeast and shake it up.
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time" - A. Einstein
Fermenting:
CA Farmhouse Mk II w/ Almanac BR#1 dregs
CA Farmhouse Mk I w/ bugs & Cherries
On Tap:
California Farmhouse Mark II
In Bottles:
California Farmhouse Mark I
Tipsy Santa stout
2011 Sweet William BW
2011 Rumble Fish - Rumble barrel aged BW
2012 Belgian Wheat Wine with coconut sugar
2012 Sweet William maple BW
2012 All Munich BW

Offline weithman5

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2013, 12:14:17 pm »
it is appropriate to boil wort anytime between 0001 am and 1159 pm 8)
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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2013, 02:09:16 pm »
it is appropriate to boil wort anytime between 0001 am and 1159 pm 8)
But midnight is a no go?
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Offline weithman5

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Re: What is an adequate wort boil time
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2013, 02:47:50 pm »
midnight is for a one minute sampling spree
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