Gelatin - what kind, how much?

[Speyedr]

I don't secondary, and after fermentation I place the primary right into the chill box and crash to 32. Can't I just add the gelatin right here. I mean there is no reason that I would need to transfer first. This way I will only have one transfer (ie from the primary to the keg).

The problem is that you need to disperse the gelatin throughout the beer. Not sure if this is a concern or not. I had the same question regarding lagers. I want to add the gelatin after the lagering period is over, then stir everything back up to disperse the gelatin. It should all just settle back again I would think. I was going to try it with a recent batch, but like Push, it was really clear on it's own so I didn't need to.

If you try this let us know how it goes.

Rob

[zymurgest]

I don't secondary, and after fermentation I place the primary right into the chill box and crash to 32. Can't I just add the gelatin right here. I mean there is no reason that I would need to transfer first. This way I will only have one transfer (ie from the primary to the keg).

The problem is that you need to disperse the gelatin throughout the beer. Not sure if this is a concern or not. I had the same question regarding lagers. I want to add the gelatin after the lagering period is over, then stir everything back up to disperse the gelatin. It should all just settle back again I would think. I was going to try it with a recent batch, but like Push, it was really clear on it's own so I didn't need to.

If you try this let us know how it goes.

Rob

Sounds like a good idea to me too -- one more data point at least. But I think the real reason for adding gelatin and/or polyclar is to remove microparticulate matter from the beer, as well as any hazes that may be present (ie hop/chill haze, etc). I've found that clearer beer tastes cleaner, and is most stable over time, given all other things being equal or even considered. As well know by now, of course, YMMV :/

Prost!

Michel

[Pedro]

I emailed Doc on this and got this response:

1/2 package of unflavored gelatin/5 gals. Stir it into cold water in a sauce pan. let it sit for a few minutes. Slowly heat while stirring to ~150-160F. Cover and let sit for 20-30 min. Add it to the keg and rack on top. Close the keg, pressurize to 15psi. and roll the keg to disperse the gelatin. Let it set for a few days and rack to a new keg.

[zymurgest]

I emailed Doc on this and got this response:

1/2 package of unflavored gelatin/5 gals. Stir it into cold water in a sauce pan. let it sit for a few minutes. Slowly heat while stirring to ~150-160F. Cover and let sit for 20-30 min. Add it to the keg and rack on top. Close the keg, pressurize to 15psi. and roll the keg to disperse the gelatin. Let it set for a few days and rack to a new keg.

While you *can* do this, I recommend a slightly different approach. Instead of doing this in the cornie can, I suggest in the seconday, such as the carboy, when cooled, and mix into the carboy, and swirl to distribute evenly. Household gelatin has about half the molecular weight of brewer's gelatin, so that's why he says to use so much -- makes it more expensive that way, but hey, he's a doctor and a little guy ;^) Also, the addition of polyclar will help eradicate any unnatural hazes from chilling, hop residue, and silicates from grain husks, and/or hop leaf material. I always get sparkling clear beer that way. Remember what Jamil said about my beer during the user's tasting? Well that speaks for itself IMHO. Ttyl and ilbcnu!

Prost!

Michel

[J.Brew]

So no prob using polyclar and Gelatin side by side? Same effect time? I also don't secondary so I'd want to rack into corny/carboy on top of polyclar and gelatin, swirl and chill, rack to a serving keg after a few days?

[DannyW]

It has always seemed to me that you should separate gelatine and polyclar by a few days because they have opposite charges and it seems like they would just glom on to each other and not so much the stuff you want to drop out.

But zym has centuries more experience than me and he says it works, so I must beleive! Otherwise I'd have to do my own experiment and I'm waaaay to lazy for that.

[zymurgest]

It has always seemed to me that you should separate gelatine and polyclar by a few days because they have opposite charges and it seems like they would just glom on to each other and not so much the stuff you want to drop out.

But zym has centuries more experience than me and he says it works, so I must beleive! Otherwise I'd have to do my own experiment and I'm waaaay to lazy for that.

Thanks for the props, but chemically speaking gelatin and polyclar, while of relatively opposite charges have different isoelectric points, as well as differing preferences for adhesion. Gelatin preferentially takes on high(er) molecular weight protein substances like yeast, while polyclar's affinity is towards tannins and silicates. So they are more like two ships passing in the night -- both share the same waters, but travel in different paths. I hope I've clarified this point (pun intended) up somewhat better

Prost!

Michel

[J.Brew]

So then I would assume that the answers to my questions are: Yes, Pretty close, and Yes. Thanks guys!