Why rack after boiling?

(That's water to the rest of us!) Beer is about 95% water, so if you want to discuss water treatment, filtering etc this is the place to do it!
Post Reply
jonnyt

Why rack after boiling?

Post by jonnyt » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:06 pm

Ok so I can remove alkalinity by boiling for 30 minutes, why do I need to rack the water off afterwards if the deposit on the bottom is now insoluble?

Surely it won't contribute anything and will come out later in the trub

User avatar
Eric
Even further under the Table
Posts: 2918
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:18 am
Location: Sunderland.

Re: Why rack after boiling?

Post by Eric » Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:36 pm

Insoluble it is, but it will still reduce the acidity of the mash if it is carried over in suspension. Chemical reactions will increase pH, defeating the objective.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.

User avatar
Hogarth
Under the Table
Posts: 1793
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:30 am
Location: Brixton, London

Re: Why rack after boiling?

Post by Hogarth » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:23 pm

What Eric said ... except I believe that the Calcium Carbonate would dissolve in the mash, at least to a certain extent.

jonnyt

Re: Why rack after boiling?

Post by jonnyt » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:29 pm

OK, thanks for the replies. Looks like I will have to rack then or use CRS

rimski

Re: Why rack after boiling?

Post by rimski » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:08 am

Boiling the water will get rid of some of the alkalinity but IMO not anywhere near the amount amount that brewers

Basically some beers require a lower alkalinity in terms of CaCo3

Eg for a stout I use an alkalinity of 120mg/l CaCo3 and a pale 30mg/l

Post Reply