Big Boils

[Partridge9]

Due to a lot of bottle cleaning and VWP going through my braumeister, the elements are really clean
This combined with a new chimney means my boils are getting a bit crazy.

One issue (or not) is that I notice a lot of hop pellets stuck to the side of the boiler about 1 inch ABOVE the water line.
So I chuck in the pellets, give it a stir, then a few minutes later it bubbles up and the some the hops are basically being removed.

Anyone else get a lot of hops (pellets) above the water line ? I usually get a brown scum which I have read is best to leave there.

Should I increase the first addition ? anyone getting reduced bitterness with this ?

I wont know for sure until its complete. Just curious if anyone else gets this or adjusts for it.

[Jacob]

You can add some weight to the hop bag so it will sink. Ss spon, glass ball, something like that. It should work.

[Partridge9]

I was just chucking in pellets loose.

[Dr Jacoby]

Hi James, I usually use a heat stick in conjunction with the braumeister element so my boils are super vigorous too. The main issue I've encountered is with first wort hops, which tend to stick to the upper inside rim after the hot break subsides. I usually run a spatula around the rim to get them back into suspension. I'm not worried about the coagulated protein mixed in with the hops as it all falls out during cooling (I use .7g of protofloc for 25 litres and allow everything to settle for at least 30-40 minutes).   

I don't notice the hops sticking back to the side during the boil so maybe our boils are a little different. The main activity in my system happens above the heat stick element which is bang in the middle. That might explain why the hops don't get forced to the edge.

 

[maGROOTS]

Same thing happens to me, the chimney gets a massive boil. I use metal ducting to vent the steam outside. I was thinking the same, so I read up on this a bit, and basically if it's a big boil this shouldn't be an issue, as the steam above the water is at 100C and has a lot of energy (think steam burn). Apparently this is the same for a floating hop bag if the boil is vigorous. I'd be interested to hear what you think of the bitterness when you serve the beer.

[Simon_]

I get it with first wort hopping with the foaming in the run up to a boil. I skim the side with the paddle to push it back in