Is Filtering Worth It?

brackbrew · 05-26-2006, 04:29 PM

Been looking into filters now that I'm setting up my kegging stuff. Is it really worth it if you're not taking your beers to competitions? Will the pressure from the CO2 in the keg help settle things out? Do you still have chill haze when you keg?

As always, thanks for all your input!

BREW ON

Darth Konvel · 05-26-2006, 04:41 PM

I don't filter, and get pretty clear beer. The time it gets in the fridge while it carbonates seemes to do a pretty good job of getting anything that didn't fall out in secondary to settle right out.

It would probably be even clearer with filtering, but I personally don't worry about clarity very much.

edit: To follow that up a bit, I'd say there are other parts of the brewing process you can look at to improve your brew clarity before worrying about filtering, ie> irish moss, faster cooling, longer time in secondary, etc.

brackbrew · 05-26-2006, 04:47 PM

I just got a new setup (sabco keggle) to do full wort boils, and I use whirlfloc, which is supposed to be a concentrated version of irish moss. I'm expecting my second wort chiller in the mail today (first one didn't work out so well, so I'm going to use it as a pre-chiller). Haven't been able to figure out the improvement yet, because I've only brewed stouts and witbier since getting the equipment!

cowain · 05-26-2006, 04:50 PM

I filter. I think it is worth it because I like the clarity I get in the pilsners, IPAs, etc. (beers where you can see it). It makes it seem more professional and people are more apt to drink and enjoy it because it looks like "real" beer instead of turn their nose up at it because there's crap floating in it.

brackbrew · 05-26-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowain

I filter. I think it is worth it because I like the clarity I get in the pilsners, IPAs, etc. (beers where you can see it). It makes it seem more professional and people are more apt to drink and enjoy it because it looks like "real" beer instead of turn their nose up at it because there's crap floating in it.

Can I ask what your setup is? I see really expensive filtering pumps (that seem more likely for wine) and then the hexagonal shaped filter with pads, but requires a pump or forcing the beer out of one keg, through the filter and into another. Is it a messy or overcomplicated process? What am I looking at in terms of money?

Sorry for all the questions.

BREW ON

**david_42** · 05-26-2006, 10:57 PM

I filter once in a while. Most of time to clear out hop crud because I keg directly from the primary. My setup is just a household filter with keg connectors. A 1 micron filter will take out just about everything except starch haze (which I've never had) and the smallest yeast cells.

Kaiser · 05-26-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_42

My setup is just a household filter with keg connectors.

I was looking at this one as well. Does "household" mean that I could get replacement filters at regular household stores?

Kai

**david_42** · 05-27-2006, 12:26 AM

Yes it does. I buy mine at Lowe's, but stay away from anything except sediment filters. Activated charcoal will make your homebrew taste like BMC. If I was going to start over, I'd get a mini-filter and add the keg connections myself. The filters are cheaper and less wasted ale.

Kaiser · 05-27-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_42

If I was going to start over, I'd get a mini-filter and add the keg connections myself. The filters are cheaper and less wasted ale.

I was wondering about that waste too. It must be a pint or even more.

And good to know that you can go to HD for that. HD/Lowes is a different budget item than home brew store

Kai

**david_42** · 05-27-2006, 01:44 PM

Actually, I found a trick which cuts the waste. Once the transfer is done, turn the filter upside down and most of the ale in the filter can be forced into the new keg.