Avoiding boil overs when home brewing

Wort boil overs usually occurs after adding your malt extract and returning the wort to a boil, the addition of hops at boil also may hasten this.

Tips on avoiding the dreaded homebrew boil over:

1. Pay constant attention to your kettle – Once you add your extract and return the kettle to the burner (stove), DO NOT LEAVE UNATTENDED! In fact, as it begins to boil and you notice a layer of foam developing on the surface of your wort, don’t even turn your back on it. Boil overs can flare up in a matter of seconds. As soon as it begins boiling and you notice the foam layer begin to actively rise, don’t put a lid on the kettle (this will make matters worse), carefully remove the kettle from the burner until the foaming subsides, then return and adjust your heat down to a gentle, rolling boil. If you are using an electric stove, you’ll have to be more focused, as reducing heat on an electric burner isn’t as responsive as a gas burner.

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