vanilla porter fermentation question

[TheDarkSide]

If you are adding vanilla extract to your fermenter, should it be boiled first to sanitize it?

I never have since it's basically alcohol and vanilla bean. I make my own vanilla extract with 4 vanilla beans split down the middle and 750ml of cheap vodka.

Besides I think by boiling it, you lose some of the aromatics, even if it's for a little time.

[herbie53]

ya no need to boil the extract. I used 2 tsp. in 5 gallons, still young but vanilla is there.

[herbie53]

oh, and i added it at bottling, not into fermenter. not sure how that would do...

[ziggy]

I did this exact thing with an oatmeal stout. All you have to do is split one bean, scrape it out, put that scraped out paste stuff in the carboy, put the bean in the carboy, and rack on top. Or you could do the same thing and just chuck it in the primary. The key is to get it in about 3 days before you bottle. Any longer and the flavor will get scrubbed out. One bean, three days.