Pre-boiling brew water question

[toneyc]

I'm reading Dave Miller's Homebrewing Guide, which Fast_Eddy lent me, and one of the methods to adjust PH and chemical content is to pre-boil your brew water. I have seen others mention this here on this board. Miller says to boil uncovered for 15-30 minutes to drive off chloroform and chlorine, and to precipitate calcium and bicarbonates and allow to cool overnight. Now should I cover it (airtight) for the overnight cool, should I put an airlock on it, or what? Miller doesn't cover that part at all.

:)
Toney.

[brewmonkey]

Since you are going to be boiling it again you can leave it uncovered. Just remember to decant before you use it or you will end up with the minerals back in solution.

[S.F.B.]

When I preboil I leave a lid loosely on top since it sits out in the garage over night. Never know what might drop in.

[paul84043]

I used to pre boil, but after getting a hot tub and actually testing my water, I found out that it's naturally very soft (I have to add calcium in the hot tub) and the chlorine level is very low. I pretty much stopped at that point, I figure I boil it when I cool the beer anyway. And I have been so busy lately that I started using the purified water from the store for my top up water...

[Fast_Eddy]

Hey Toney - the other thing you have to be aware of is if your Ca content is sufficient to precipitate the amount of HCO3 that you're trying to get rid of.

[toneyc]

I kinda figured it might be because my hot water heater seems to fill up with precipitate every 3-4 years.

:)
Toney.