How to Aerate Wort

Introducing oxygen into your wort before fermenting is an easy, effective way to improve the quality of your home brew.

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You Will Need

  • Sodium percarbonate
  • A fermenting bucket
  • 5-gal. paint mixer drill attachment
  • A power drill
  • Bleach (optional)

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Sanitize equipment

    Sanitize everything that will come in contact with the wort using sodium percarbonate and then rinse thoroughly.

  2. Use a bleach solution. Add two capfuls of bleach per five gallons of water.

  3. Step 2

    Cool the wort

    Cool the wort to between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit before introducing air into it. Transfer the cooled wort to the fermenting bucket.

  4. Leave room inside the bucket, as the wort expands during aeration.

  5. Step 3

    Aerate

    Attach the paint mixer to the power drill. Stand directly over the bucket, submerge the mixer, and turn the drill on.

  6. Step 4

    Mix

    Mix until the desired level of air is incorporated into the wort; a few minutes are usually sufficient. Be careful of spills.

  7. Step 5

    Let settle

    Give the foam enough time to settle before topping off with the desired amount of water.

  8. There were 1,525 breweries operating in the U.S. in 2009.

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