12 replies to this topic

[VirginiaBeach]

Hello, I just got a starter kit with a 2000ml flask and made a starter tonight. I did it on my Bayou Classic prop. cooker since it said not to use the flask on an electric stove top. I had a lot of trouble with the boilover, it kept extinguishing the flame, I would turn down the heat and stirring really flared it up. How do I prevent this in the future? I thought after the initial boilover it would be fine (like in the brew kettle) but it just kept happening (about 10x), made a nice sticky mess on the cooker!

[ncbeerbrewer]

I have two Erlenmeyer flasks that I make starters with very often. I understand you can heat the flasks and such but I say forget that part. I make my starters on the stove top in a kitchen sized stock pot. After I boil add in the DME and cool the it goes into my cleaned and sanitized Erlenmeyer flask(s). I believe though that people use Fermcap to prevent boil overs so maybe you can try that as well.

[Jimmy James]

After I boil add in the DME and cool the it goes into my cleaned and sanitized Erlenmeyer flask(s).

This is also what I do - the problem with boiling in flasks is the tapered design makes it more prone to boiling over. Once you get the starter wort to a boil it doesn't take much heat/flame at all to boil it over. A kitchen gas burner with a very low setting works but I just find it easier to boil in a pot.

[RommelMagic]

Yeah, I made myself a real nice volcano last week using a flask. Even my 6 year old daughter said, "Mommy, there's a volcano in the kitchen!" It even reached the ceiling. So I've reminded myself that boiling and adding DME is best done in the pot. I then funnel it into the flask and cool. Proper sanitation in use as well.

[3rd party JKor]

You can try FermCap-S, that's what I use in my brew kettle. The flask is tough to prevent boilovers in though. I'd say boil in a pot and transfer it to the flask right off the boil, that will sanitize the flask as well.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I dissolve the DME with a small amount of warm water first. While I am doing this I boil some water in my flask. Then I cut the heat and carefully pour the dissolved DME in. There will be a small amount of foam but it won't foam over b/c no heat is being applied. I then turn the heat back on (very low) and get it boiling again. If you are careful with this method you can avoid boilovers.

[3rd party JKor]

I dissolve the DME with a small amount of warm water first. While I am doing this I boil some water in my flask. Then I cut the heat and carefully pour the dissolved DME in. There will be a small amount of foam but it won't foam over b/c no heat is being applied. I then turn the heat back on (very low) and get it boiling again. If you are careful with this method you can avoid boilovers.

I think part of his problem was that he didn't have good control over the heat because he was using his propane cooker. Even at the lowest setting that thing is probably putting out a fair amount of BTUs.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I think part of his problem was that he didn't have good control over the heat because he was using his propane cooker. Even at the lowest setting that thing is probably putting out a fair amount of BTUs.

I use my SQ14 but granted I'm also using a 5000mL flask.

[zymot]

When making a start in a flask i follow a few rules.Do not over boil or boil too vigorously.The temperature of wort at a slow/mild boil is the effectively the same as vigorous boil. The mad bubbling looks good, but I do not think it is necessary.To get the benefit of boiling, you do not need to keep the wort at full boil for the full 15 minutes. Bring it up to a boil and take it off the heat. It takes a while for it to cool down to non pasteurize temps. If you want to give the temps a boost up, return it to the heat and the start of a boil every 5-10 minutes.I do not worry about my source water being so infected that a reasonable boil won't kill off everything of interest. Same for my DME, I have never heard of "infected" DME. To kill everything possible, you must use pressure, as in a pressure cooker. That would be overkill. <-Hey that's a pun! If you follow the above guidelines, you will have done everything you can and you will be fine.zymot

[Stout_fan]

FOAM CONTROLfive drops 'll do ya!

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

A friend of mine swears by marbles. Just place a few glass marbles in the bottom of whatever you are boiling.

[HokieTrismegistus]

How come you don't post in the PH? There's a few Virginians here who'd like to meet you at a meet up that's never going to happen.

[Spoon]

A friend of mine swears by marbles. Just place a few glass marbles in the bottom of whatever you are boiling.

Yeah, boiling beads can help. But the best thing to do is do the boiling on the stove w/ a sauce pan then funnel into the flask. I used to top it w/ foil but since bought a stopper and extra airlock.