So im getting ready to do my second homebrew....its an extract/steeped grains kit from nb.... I never really got to a vigorous boil on my first batch but the temp was slightly past boiling just not vigorous.... What effect does this have on my funal brew and will it be worth it to buy the larger propane burner....i have a 7.5 gallon kettle so I can do full boils but the full boil is decrasing the vigor of the boil....please help
You really do need to get the beer up to a nice rolling boil. It helps deactivate enzymes, isomerize hops, sanitize the wort, and create a hot break.
212 degrees is 212 degrees. Whatever vaporizes at that temp will vaporize. Why does it matter how 'vigorous' the boil is? (not saying it doesn't matter. Just wondering why it does. Or doesn't)
A massive rolling boil should not be necessary for an extract brew with steeped grains, but my opinion is that more heat is helpful if doing a full boil. I believe so because the volume of wort is large enough at 5+ gallons that a small heat source underneath it is not heating the full volume of wort evenly. You may have hot/cold spots in the kettle, which you are reassured of not having with a more vigorous boil. That said, it doesn't need to be a violent, explosive boil, either. That could be dangerous.
You say "the larger propane burner." What are you using now, and when where you brewing? I'm asking because there may be a problem with your existing burner. I've never seen a store bought propane burner that could not bring 7 gals of water to a boil. However, if you where brewing on a very cold, windy day in PA, with nothing blocking the wind, that could be the problem.
