Clarity vs Time

[Richard]

Thanks for the pics mate; bloody striking how well that filter works!

I think I may pick one up for future competition beers.

[Jmac00]

I think I may pick one up for future competition beers.

uggh...i just got rid of one a few weeks ago...if only you spoken up sooner..

[HappyHax0r]

You can buy a similar pump/filtering kit at Vintners for around $80.00, it's going to be a future purchase of mine.

[WJShaw]

Anybody who wants to borrow mine is welcome to it. Just PM me and we can set something up.

[sdixon]

I also have one members are welcome to borrow.

[Kyle]

thanks for offering that to the club guys!


Personally, I just use 1 tab of whirlfloc at 15 minutes left in the boil and then let ferment:

normal fermentation, I let it sit at least three weeks and then carefully siphon and its usually very clear.

spunded fermentation, I wait til fermentation is complete (1-5 days) and then cold crash in the fermenter for 2-3 days. Then the beer is pretty clear too.

wheat or fruit beers, generally I don't want crystal clear anyways, but if I do, then chill a wheat beer for several days in primary and then do a secondary, in the fridge, for about two weeks. With fruit beers, I used to filter, but found it to be a PIA, so I just serve above chill-haze temp and try to minimize pectin.

[Richard]

It's the "usually" part I have issue with - looking for a more sure-fire solution.

[Dave Savoie]

Im the advocate for gelatin has always worked for me and beers that normally you would have to wait for say 2-3 weeks to mature seem to be perfect to drink at 9th day as it helps drop out nasties that only drop out with time

[Richard]

I know for one thing that tannins bind with gelatin, which normally take time to age out.

[Kyle]

a 0.5 micron filter available at Home Depot does the trick. It strips some of the good stuff out too, but it is crystal clear every time. Filter cartridges are about $20, but can be stored in sanitizer and re-used.

Alternatively, a 30 micron filter is the size Picaroons uses, and it is enough to provide good clarity but still leave the good stuff fully intact.

[fakr]

you mean 3 micron filter Kyle?  probably a typo.

I bought a 1 micron inline water filter from home hardware on sale a month or so back for $39.  It has a silver impregnated ceramic filter that is reusable.  Replacements are $20.  

I just have to get some reducers for the intake outtake, and will have it setup to filter between two kegs.  I'll use this one for beer that's half clarified in a carboy first.

I just noticed they also have 5 micron inline filters for $ with the same type filter...I think I'm going to buy one of these and use it for the first transfer from pressure fermented beer, then the 1 micron into the serving keg.

Links:

5 micron is now $45 - http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index ... tion&Num=0

1 micron - I can't fint the 1 micron on the website, but I saw it in the store.  To save money, one could always just buy the 1 micron replacement filter and just swap the two out fo the same filter body.

[Richard]

Nah Pics definitely said 30.

[Chris Craig]

Good call on the gelatin.  I used it in my latest pale ale, and it's damned clear after 12 days!  I just added gelatin to warm water and heated it until it dissolved.  Then I added it to a keg of cold beer.

I think this will be a regular thing for me...

[Jake]

I've read about a relatively new product called "biofine clear". I guess it's a non-animal/vegan product and clears beer up nicely.

If I remember correctly, I believe our grain supplier carries it in bulk. We should look into it because what I've read it's getting great reviews. You add like an ounce to a 5 gallon batch going into the keg.