FWH and boil properties

[Woolsocks]

Mostly out of curiosity, I've begun first wort hopping one of our beers. I've done it twice now, and have noticed I need a lot less antifoam in the boil than usual and my boiloff rate is lower as well. When it boils, the bubbles are smaller/tighter.

Is this normal/good/bad/indifferent? I'm especially curious about the low boiloff rate.

[Jephro]

Woolsocks,
Your not suppose to smoke the hops!! :eek: (just kidding)
I must admit i thought you may be a little crazy talking about lower boil-off rates for FWH beers, but after looking back at my logs i realized you may be on to something.

I FWH my pale and IPA and I average about 1.2 bbls loss in a 90 min boil. The rest of my beers tend to loose about 1.5 bbls on average.

As for the foaming issue i would assume that it has to do with the hop oils, like adding vegetable oil to a pot of boiling pasta to keep it from boiling over.

[Woolsocks]

My boiloff difference has, so far, been about 50%. That said, my boiloffs vary a lot anyway, so this could be coincidence.

[Airidini]

Whole or pellet hops in what quantity to BBL's? There are alot of other variables here that could influence foaming....

[beertje46]

Mostly out of curiosity, I've begun first wort hopping one of our beers. I've done it twice now, and have noticed I need a lot less antifoam in the boil than usual and my boiloff rate is lower as well. When it boils, the bubbles are smaller/tighter.

Is this normal/good/bad/indifferent? I'm especially curious about the low boiloff rate.

Try this thread: Mash Hopping (http://www.probrewer.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6344&page=1&pp=15&highlight=wort+hopping)
This thread started as mash hopping but turned to FWH half-way down the first (of three) pages.

I do it, I recommend it, you'll love it. I've never notice any less evaporation or boil-off, just less boilover.

[Moonlight]

Check your barometric pressure, as this can really affect boil characteristics, especially in Wisconsin. I remember a brewmaster from Grainbelt in Minn/St.Paul tell me the boils differed throughout the day if a storm front came through.

[Woolsocks]

Happened again today -- about 1/2 the normal boiloff rate when FWH. I can physically see differences in the boil. It looks to be rockin' & rollin' just as hard as usual, maybe even better, but I need a lot less antifoam (about 75% less), the bubbles are small and numerous and it just sort of has a different look to it that you'd notice if you were used to a system and then something changed.

Anyone have a diagnoses yet? I'm terrible with understanding the physics of boiling.

[GlacierBrewing]

When I was first being trained to brew, my brewmaster insisted on the first hop drop went in very early in the boil. This hop always seemed like it couldn't do anything because it was a tiny amount of hops. I was told the reason for this hop drop wasn't for the beer's profile but to manage the efficiency of the boil. I have, of course, continued this methodology and have relied upon it to prevent or reduce boil-over and ensure I have a successful boil all-around.
my two cents.....
Dave

[Jephro]

This hop always seemed like it couldn't do anything because it was a tiny amount of hops.

How small of an amount are we talking? I am currently using Fermcap as an anti-boil-over, but hate adding anything not necessary to any of my beers (as i sit here with the Crosby & Baker catalog about to order more Fermcap).
Do you think just a handful of FWH would prevent boil-over??

[oppigards]

Are you required to filter the beer if using fermcap?

/Bjorn

[GlacierBrewing]

How small of an amount are we talking? I am currently using Fermcap as an anti-boil-over, but hate adding anything not necessary to any of my beers (as i sit here with the Crosby & Baker catalog about to order more Fermcap).
Do you think just a handful of FWH would prevent boil-over??


Well, in ten bbls, my first hops is usually something like 70 grams.
Dave

[Jephro]

Are you required to filter the beer if using fermcap?
/Bjorn
No, i have never heard of such a thing, but here is a link to a thread on FermCap:
http://probrewer.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=5587&highlight=fermcap
...and the data sheet here:
http://www.brewerssupplygroup.com/pdf/brewing_aids/foam_control/FermCap%20S%205D01530%20MSDS%20Apr07%20Update.pdf