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hal simmons · 05-11-2008, 02:27 PM

I used Fermcap yesterday for the first time. I didn't need it in the boil, since I had plenty of headspace in my kettle. I ended up with 5.5 gallons in a 6 gallon fermenter, filled it right up to where the carboy starts to curve in. I used pure O2 to aerate, added fermcap, yeast, sloshed the carboy to mix, and the 3 inches of foam the O2 created immediately disappeared. Pretty cool I thought.

But...I wake up this morning and i've got krausen almost up to the airlock and I've switched to a blowoff tube just in case. Is this normal? I thought the product was supposed to prevent this?

I already used the recommended amount (0.25 - 0.5 tsp. per 5 gallons). Is it OK to add a little more?

Blender · 05-11-2008, 02:40 PM

I don't think it is abnormal. It happened to me last week with a Wit.

**raceskier** · 05-11-2008, 02:53 PM

You're probably OK, but Fermcap should go in the boil to ensure that no contaminating organisms hitch a ride with it.

hal simmons · 05-11-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceskier

You're probably OK, but Fermcap should go in the boil to ensure that no contaminating organisms hitch a ride with it.

That makes sense. I just followed the instructions which said to add it when you pitch your yeast. I'll add it at flame out next time

amishland · 05-11-2008, 04:10 PM

I used some (foam control from LHBS) yesterday in my boil and still got boil overs with the directed amount (2 drop per gallon at beginning of boil).

I tried to perform a 6 gallon boil in a 7.5 gallon pot, and ended up with less than five gallons in my primary

**Warped04** · 05-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amishland

I used some (foam control from LHBS) yesterday in my boil and still got boil overs with the directed amount (2 drop per gallon at beginning of boil).

I tried to perform a 6 gallon boil in a 7.5 gallon pot, and ended up with less than five gallons in my primary

I highly recommend a squirt bottle with some water in it. EdWort recommended it to me, and I haven't had a boil over since. Everytime the boil starts to get going, I just spray down the foam. I do the same thing when I make starters.

vfinch · 05-11-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warped04

I highly recommend a squirt bottle with some water in it. EdWort recommended it to me, and I haven't had a boil over since. Everytime the boil starts to get going, I just spray down the foam. I do the same thing when I make starters.

+1 on that. I always a have a few squirt bottles on hand (to correct our dogs), so I just grab one from the counter. Works like a charm, and gives my trigger finger a workout.

ChrisKennedy · 05-11-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceskier

You're probably OK, but Fermcap should go in the boil to ensure that no contaminating organisms hitch a ride with it.

You have so many better things to worry about than getting an infection from your fermcap.