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Using distilled water

roger

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Sep 16, 2010
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Columbus, OH
I understand many use distilled water for brewing. I also understand (in principal and with the help of BeerSmith) how to add different salts to approximate the water for the style of beer I'm brewing, but have a question. I've read and heard the importance of trace minerals to the health of yeast, ie copper. I'm assuming no one is including pennies in their primary. Has anyone that has brewed with distilled water tried to address this? Or am I paranoid and is it a non-issue?
 
Roger,
        Snap a vitamin in half and throw it in the boil. This should give about the right amount of trace elements. I read this so I can only say it "seems" reasonable? Distilled water is flat tasting. It needs oomph! Good luck
 
Bob, thanks. I would never thought to do that. But I agree it sounds reasonable. I'll try that the next time I brew a Wit - not too long.
 
People often use RO or reversoe osmosis water.  I have not heard much about folks using distilled water.  I am no water chemist or specialist but the way distilled water "absorbs" minerals and salts is different and is difficult to get a desired profile.  You can mix boiled and distilled waters then add salts, etc.  It is best to start with either RO water and add the desired salts or filtered tap water (if yours is drinkable) to remove chlorine and other icky stuff.

There is a lot more to it than trace minerals for yeast health.  It also affects the hop and malt profiles.  Most brews don't have enough potassium and zinc for yeast nutrition.  Simply adding campden tablets (potassium metabisulfite), which also remove chlorine and chloromine, and yeast nutrients is sufficient. 

As for pennies, they have to be from before 1982 or something like that.
 
I should not have mentioned adding pennies, just meant that as a little fun. Didn't mean for anyone to take me seriously. Pennies made since 1983 are mostly zinc. Certainly not good to add these anywhere in the brewing process.
 
roger said:
I should not have mentioned adding pennies, just meant that as a little fun. Didn't mean for anyone to take me seriously. Pennies made since 1983 are mostly zinc. Certainly not good to add these anywhere in the brewing process.

I have heard of people using both copper and zinc.  More of the copper ones.  I use a copper immersion chiller so I get plenty of copper.  Zinc is vital to yeast health.  Dunno how much you would get from boiling with a penny.
 
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