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Last Updated:
24 January 2006
The Boil

The boil begins
Once you've collected enough wort, turn the heat on and start the boil.

I typically want to collect 7.5-8 gallons of wort, depending on my efficiency and weather conditions.  If the wort runs too thin you risk pulling out tannins, so you may have to settle for a smaller batch size.  If you have a really thick wort (lots of sugar) you can always top off with water to the desired volume.  If the weather is dry and/or windy I want at least 7.5 gallons, because in a 90 minute boil I may lose up to 2.5 gallons to evaporation.  Don't skimp on your volume, though.  You will want to get a full roiling boil so that you can have a proper hot break and better hop extraction.

Bless my brew kettle.
15 minutes before the end of the boil I add my wort chiller.

I need to sanitize my wort chiller, so I rinse and wipe down then add it to the boiling wort. Be careful of the drain hose, any water remaining in the chiller will boil out at this point. Now is also a good time to add irish moss to the batch to help with clarification.