Homebrewers - Whats in the fermenter?

[mmblz]

years ago the one time i brewed, i borrowed a pot from someone. when i got done there was so much crap burned on the bottom it was impossible to get off - even using a wire brush attached to a power drill.
was I just totally ignoring / not stirring?
should it be possible to use our large pasta pot without damaging it in any way?

[cricky101]

Originally Posted by mmblz

years ago the one time i brewed, i borrowed a pot from someone. when i got done there was so much crap burned on the bottom it was impossible to get off - even using a wire brush attached to a power drill.
was I just totally ignoring / not stirring?
should it be possible to use our large pasta pot without damaging it in any way?

Were you using malt extract to brew?

I think you're supposed to remove it from the heat and get it mixed in completely before putting it back over a flame. Could be it wasn't fully dissolved and scorched on the bottom.

I did a couple extract batches on my stove and didn't have any scorching in my pot, but did remove the pot from the burner and stirred the $h!t out of it before putting it back on the heat.

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by mmblz

should it be possible to use our large pasta pot without damaging it in any way?

Absolutely, just make sure that you frequently tend to the stirring, scraping the spoon along the bottom of the pot. Partial boils (2-3 gallons) scorch easily because the malt sugars are so concentrated. You don't have to keep the burner on high, you're just looking for a rolling boil.

And like Chris says, cut off the heat when you add your extract, especially if you are using the liquid kind.