AG#3 Youngs Winter Warmer

[Gaffers]

I whipped this one out last night and despite a couple of minor niggles I am getting this AG lark down to a slick manoeuvre now, in that I mean that I forgot nothing until lastminute this time round. That said it still takes a bloody long time. Even though I started straight after work it was in the early hours I finished. I must work on that.

I mashed at 67C for 90 mins and sparged at 83C until I hit 1008 producing 47 litres of lovely wort. I am finding that I loose a lot to evaporation as once the 90 min boil was complete, I loose about 4L in the boiler and to hops, I got 34L in the FV which means I lost 9L to evaporation :shock:

The OG points to a more than usual water loss as I got 1060 rather than the intended 1055.

I know leaving the lid on can cause DMS but is there any other way I can reduce vapour loss? I was running two kettle elements as one alone was just not enough.

 

[graysalchemy]

I get the hops after the boil put them in a net bag used for wine making and squeeze every last drop out. I usually get another couple of litres. Then because it has been handled I simmer it for a few minutes and let it cool before pitching back into the wort. Perhaps not worthwhile with a low gravity beer but certainly worth it for a barley wine or winter warmer when you ate brewing smaller quantities.

 

[Vossy1]

If using Maris Otter as the bulk of your grist you should be able to reduce the mash time to 1 hour or less. Modern specialised malts convert quite quickly and should be done in 45 minutes or so. You can always check by doing a starch test, a drop of iodine on a plate and a few drops of runnings, it should stay brown, if it goes blue/purple starch is still present, leave it for longer

 

[graysalchemy]

I never knew that could cut my brew day down by half an hour. Very importatnt when you are a secret brewer and have to get home (or do some work)

 

[Gaffers]

Thats handy to know Vossy :thumb:

 

[Cussword]

I was running two kettle elements as one alone was just not enough.

When the rolling boil has started try turning one element off, if it still boils you might not lose as much to evaperation :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

I can keep 60l rolling on one element. The only thing I do is switch them over every half hour. :thumb:

 

[Gaffers]

I was running two kettle elements as one alone was just not enough.

When the rolling boil has started try turning one element off, if it still boils you might not lose as much to evaperation :thumb:

It was just short of a rolling boil on just one. Maybe my elements are tired?

 

[graysalchemy]

One thing I find is that you have to keep your elements tip top clean. I alwAys soak mine with one of those tablets used for de scaling dishwashers.

 

[Green Ninja]

One thing I find is that you have to keep your elements tip top clean. I alwAys soak mine with one of those tablets used for de scaling dishwashers.

Now that is a great idea!

It's murder trying to scour all the green crud off after a boil

I'll try that.

Cheers GS!

Terry.