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Old 03-27-2009, 12:32 AM   #1
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Default Properly using whirfloc tabs??

Thanks in advance to any who reply...

I just brewed my second batch (strong belgian trippel style). I don't think I used the whirfloc tabs correctly. I put them into the wort after the boil was done and before I put the wort into the fermenter. Everything went into the fermenter fine, but when I transferred to the secondary I noticed the large lumps of the coagulated proteins left from the whirflocs I suspect.

Should I be adding the whirflocs at a different point in the process or just strain when going from primary to secondary? I loved this batch so much (slightly simpler Chimay) that I am brewing it again and would love to refine my technique as well as incorporate a wort chiller. The batch tasted great, just didn't look that great with flakes of protein floating in some of the bottles.


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Old 03-27-2009, 12:39 AM   #2
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I toss mine in 10-15 minutes before the end of the boil.
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Old 03-27-2009, 12:39 AM   #3
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My package says add tablet last 15min of boil

I have read here that last 5 minutes of the boil is preferred, and that half a tablet is all that is needed for a 5 gallon batch, although I toss the whole tablet
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Old 03-27-2009, 02:27 AM   #4
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I throw one tablet in with 5 min. left in the boil, and have had great results.

It should be understood that Whirlfloc alone will not give you clear beer. You need a strong boil, quick cool, and a week or two cold conditioning as well.
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Old 03-27-2009, 11:11 AM   #5
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I toss one tab in at the 15 min mark with my yeast energizer. Clears great on all of my brews so far. (along with cooling and so forth.}
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Old 03-27-2009, 02:21 PM   #6
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The company that makes Whirfloc says a half tablet during the last five minutes of the boil. I have been using that method and my beer has gotten very clear lately.

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Old 03-27-2009, 10:58 PM   #7
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So then the whirfloc tablets would be responsible for what looked like protein dumplings that were in the fermented wort when I checked it after fermentation had been completed?? What is the best way to be rid of that?? I was just thinking to strain it as it went from fermenter to secondary. Is that the best way or should I do things a bit different??
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Old 03-27-2009, 11:04 PM   #8
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Try straining when moving the wort from the kettle to the primary. There is usually trub that gets through to the primary, but that should settle out and not get racked to the secondary. Secondary usually is mostly yeast sediment.

You don't want to strain when racking from the primary fermenter to the secondary, as you can oxidize the beer then. You want to rack it as still as possible.
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Old 03-30-2009, 12:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpt_Kirks View Post
The company that makes Whirfloc says a half tablet during the last five minutes of the boil. I have been using that method and my beer has gotten very clear lately.

I endorse this method. 1/2 tablet for five gallons is all that is needed.
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Old 03-30-2009, 01:32 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notwoohoo View Post
I endorse this method. 1/2 tablet for five gallons is all that is needed.
I endorse this endorsement.


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