Boiling top up water

[Scooby]

I normally add water to the boiler so I end up with the correct volume in the fv, but there are times when I add water to the fv to adjust a gravity that was to high, I just add filtered tap water but in another thread sterile water is mentioned.

Both Dave Line and Graham Wheeler mention adjusting wort to the correct gravity with cold water but no mention of it being sterile, I don't think I have had a problem that could be attributed to the practice. I was wondering what the rest of you do?

[Niall K]

Scooby, I like you try the finish with the right amount in the fermenter after boiling. If short, I would use out of the tap water to top up the required volume. I've had no problems so far, but I have just done 5 all grain brews so far. In saying that, I've done a lots of kits before and have always used tap water to top up to the 5 gallons needed. Thats a lot of water with no problems.

Niall

[Bryggmester]

I top up with tap water every time I brew and have done so for years without any problems.

[Scooby]

I normally add water to the boiler so I end up with the correct volume in the fv, but there are times when I add water to the fv to adjust a gravity that was to high, I just add filtered tap water but in another thread sterile water is mentioned.

Both Dave Line and Graham Wheeler mention adjusting wort to the correct gravity with cold water but no mention of it being sterile, I don't think I have had a problem that could be attributed to the practice. I was wondering what the rest of you do?

When I fly sparge I top up with water straight from the water filter, I know it's fine because i've made dozens of beer kits this way.

When you batch sparge though if you have estimated you efficiency and evaporation loss correctly you will end up with the required gravity and volume+loss to the hops and trub in the boiler and the correct vol' and sg in the fermenter everytime without topping up.

I hope to batch sparge soon as Norm's cornie is imminent My loss to evaporation is normally 12%/hr so will work that into the equation and hopefully will be close.

It's just that when the need arises I never even considered using sterile water to top up and wondered what everyone else did.

[steve_flack]

I've never ever topped up a beer. If I end up with less, stronger beer then so be it. I rarely happens now as I pretty much know the gravity of my wort at any time due to my refractometer. I brew to a gravity not a volume.

[steve_flack]

I brew to a gravity but most times with a fly sparged batch I end up with a high gravity wort at a lower volume although less so now as I top up more in the boiler throughout the boil.

I top up before the boil but not at the end.

[Scooby]

My question was really aimed at people who do top up, however I do take Steves point, if you have a settled system and procedure then the the results are predictable.

If you change things then it is less so, you may change from a 30l boiler to a 50l, add an element or change a tun and manifold. Regarding procedure sparging to a higher gravity and collecting less wort or batch sparging.

I have done many of these thing over the last few brews and had occasion to dilute the wort, that's what prompted me to ask.

[Belto]

I am in the same situation new to AG trying to brew with improved equipment (Hopefully) and getting used to results.
Last brew was the happiest so far no stuck mash run offs, No lumps of wood dropping to wort (Previous posts) and all sorts of problems as I am sure we all go through trying to set up a process. New masher, new boiler for water and wort boiler
New boiler has a hop filter so being short on volume / high in ABV added boiled water to boiler after run off utilising the remaining oils etc from hops in boiler. through CFC to FV (SAT 24th) so no results yet

[David Edge]

I think a lot of the neurosis about topping with tap water comes from the US where many home brewers use their own wells with a risk of coliform bacteria contamination. UK domestic supplies should be ok in this respect, although Burton Bridge, for example uses a UV steriliser for topping water.

Chlorine is a bigger threat, but it depends on the amount in your supply. I don't normally top, but use cooled boiled water if I do.