Filtering with Polyclar

[SuperBroo]

@ DrSmurto,

I moved this to avoid taking the other thread way off topic.

So were you saying that you sometimes use polyclar without filtering afterwards, by just letting it sit cold for at least a week for the sediment to pack tight on the bottom ? (I hope yes).

I would like to continue using polyclar, but am over the stuffing around with cleaning filters etc etc.

Cheers,
Chris

[billybushcook]

that's the way I do it too,
I filter when I rack, let chill for two days then add my Polyclar, let sit (in fridge) for the remainder of that week then bottle as usual.
Ivé never noticed any Polyclar particles in my bottles.

Mick.

[SuperBroo]

Cheers Mick,

[drsmurto]

Yes, polyclar and no filter.

I find that given a minimum of 3 days in the fridge at 1C it will settle down to a nice cake on the bottom. Rack to keg and continue as normal.

So my normal process is 2+ weeks primary (lagers normally 3-4 weeks), rack, 1 week secondary allowing the yeast to settle out then polyclar (you can speed this process up with gelatine but i have vegan mates although i do use gelatine with low floccing yeast), then maybe a week more ccing then in the keg.

[SuperBroo]

thanks heaps Doc,

[squirt in the turns]

I do have a problem with chill haze, but I've previously been put off polyclar as I don't filter and have had concerns about bits of plastic ending up in the bottle/keg. I'm going to give it a go, though, and follow the advice of allowing it to settle for a few days.

What are the reasons that it is usually used in secondary, and what would happen if I used it in primary? I like to make up to 22L, kegging 19L and bottling whatever's left for long term storage. If polyclar could be used in primary, with most of it being left there along with the yeast and trub after racking, this would result in it being easier to get minimal sediment in the keg, and especially bottle. I like to tip the cube/fermenter to get more beer in the last few. Yeah, I should just make larger batches.

[billybushcook]

I do have a problem with chill haze,

Have you read the tail end of this thread?
http://homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewto ... 63#p106063

Mick.

[drsmurto]

No reason you cant use it in primary. As long as the beer is cold. You need the beer cold for the chill haze to form at which point the polyclar removes it.

Warm = polyclar fail

[squirt in the turns]

I do have a problem with chill haze,

Have you read the tail end of this thread?
http://homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewto ... 63#p106063

Mick.

I brewed back to back the last 2 weekends, and based on that thread and what I've read elsewhere, I've gone to 90 mins for both mash and boil. 2 weeks ago it was a sort of AIPA, and a DSGA last week. The GA I also drained and sparged extremely slowly (compared to previous brewdays, anyway) - the sparge must have taken at least 90 mins, and the wort did appear noticably clearer pre boil. As an aside, I also got a massive leap in efficiency. Managed to forget the Koppafloc in the GA though, and with the AIPA it went in at the beginning of the boil for some reason. Dunno where my head was on those occasions. Also, I'll be pitching massive starters into each of these (due to brew box issues they're still both in the cube).

The AIPA went into the cube, was left to cool at room temp and was still warm 12 hours later. The GA went in the pool and was not noticably warm after just a couple of hours. I'll Polyclar both of these, and while far from scientific, it will be interesting to compare the clarity.

[squirt in the turns]

Yes, polyclar and no filter.

I find that given a minimum of 3 days in the fridge at 1C it will settle down to a nice cake on the bottom. Rack to keg and continue as normal.

So my normal process is 2+ weeks primary (lagers normally 3-4 weeks), rack, 1 week secondary allowing the yeast to settle out then polyclar (you can speed this process up with gelatine but i have vegan mates although i do use gelatine with low floccing yeast), then maybe a week more ccing then in the keg.

Is it best to chill in primary after fermentation has finished, or rack warm, see if the SG drops further, then chill? I've done it both ways, but just wondering what's considered best practice?

[SuperBroo]

Hi Squirt,

I dont think its a huge issue when you rack, but it seems that most people rack as soon as the krausen subsides, or after about a week, whatecer comes first.
I dont think theres a need to cool before racking, that would only slow your yeast activity down, and you want yeast activity throughout the secondary as well to really polish your beers.
The first time I cool is to add finings, if i'm kegging.
But if I'm bottling, I dont cool until the bottles have been carbonated, say 3 weeks minimum (which is really half a bullshit statement because as you know you always try one or two early)

[drsmurto]

I rack after fermentation is finished. Normally 2 weeks for ales. This allows time for the yeast to clean up after itself.

Ales i rack warm and then put the cube into the cc fridge.

Lagers i cool down to 1C over a few days dropping the temp 1-2C per day. This way more yeast comes over to the lagering phase as opposed to crash chilling.

[SuperBroo]

Lagers i cool down to 1C over a few days dropping the temp 1-2C per day. This way more yeast comes over to the lagering phase as opposed to crash chilling.

thanks for the tip, i've just started a lager, and will keep this in mind.

[emnpaul]

Sorry, but I just have to ask, if I add polyclar and gelatine at the same time will the gelatine allow the poly to do it's work or will it just clump it and sink to the bottom?

Also is it absolutely necessary to filter with polyclar or can it be "fined" out by gelatine if you add it after or at the same time as the polyclar? I don't have technology to filter.

Cheers
Paul

[drsmurto]

No need for a filter and no, dont add them at the same time.

Gelatine and polyclar have opposite charges (not exactly true but close enough without getting into fundamental chemistry) so adding them at the same time will result in them attracting each other and dropping out before they do what you want them to do.

If you want to gelatine then do it first and wait a few days before adding polyclar. Polyclar will also work better if there is less yeast present.

I use polyclar regularly and haven't used my filter for more than 12 months.

[emnpaul]

Very good answer.

Thankyou.
Paul

[billybushcook]

I don't have technology to filter.
Paul

Paul,
I use a very simple filter when racking.
It is no more than, a black poly pipe with a thread on each end which you can get from any Irrigation or pumping supplies, they are sold as a "stand pipe" for a couple of bucks. Stuff it with a good Fish Tank filter wool (all sterilised of course) & screw a 1/2" hose barb on each end with some 1/2" pvc tube to your primary fermenter tap.

Mick.

[emnpaul]

Mick, you're a genius.

As luck would have it my best mate (read seagull) is a landscaper and owes me a favour for all the beer he's drunk. I also keep fish and have an abundant supply of filter wool.

Thanks for the reply
Paul