Fermtech foam control???

bgough · 04-22-2009, 03:41 AM

When are you supposed to add this stuff to prevent boil overs?

**ChshreCat** · 04-22-2009, 03:42 AM

I usually have it handy and add a drop or two when I see the foam starting to climb in the kettle.

BeerPressure · 04-22-2009, 04:04 AM

before hot break

**Denny's Evil Concoctions** · 04-22-2009, 04:12 AM

You can add it in the boil at the the start or any time after.

Also can be used to prevent blowoff in the fermenter.

Simethicone (aka Gas-x or Oval or their no name equivalents) works just as well.

bgough · 04-22-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny's Evil Concoctions

Also can be used to prevent blowoff in the fermenter.

So you get a less vigorous fermentation too?

**Denny's Evil Concoctions** · 04-22-2009, 07:07 AM

The fermentation is just as vigorous, but it doesn't foam. Think fewer big bubbles vs lots of small bubbles.

That's why they are used as anti-flatulents. Instead of many small farts, you get a few large ones.

And no, they do NOT negatively effect the head on your brew.

Catt22 · 04-22-2009, 02:02 PM

You can add it anytime and the dosage is not critical.

Use it in your starter, especially when boiling the wort in a flask to prevent boil overs.

Use it in your boil kettle for the same reason

Use it in your fermenter to prevent excessive foaming. Often eliminates the need for a blow off tube.

There are no downsides to using this stuff that I can detect. It does not affect the head retention and IMO, it actually improves the head. As mentioned above, the dosage does not seem to be critical. Usually 5-10 drops in the boil kettle will do it. Same for the fermenter.

**ChshreCat** · 04-22-2009, 02:51 PM

I only need 2-3 drops in my kettle, but I do partial boils. I just wait for the break and when the foam starts to rise I add a drop and wait a couple seconds, then add another drop and so on until I see it start to fall. Usually does after the second or third drop. After that, I might need to add one drop after a big hop addition, but that's it.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 04-22-2009, 02:56 PM

It's more expensive but, I use Mylicon since I have ready access to it.

1 drop per gallon. Works to break teh surface tension of bubbles allowing them to to merge toghether easily into bigger bubbles. The copounds are not absorbed by the intestines or the stomach.

Oddly, enough tho' if gotten cold enough it can be formed into a ball and bounced. Literally, although I think it takes liquid nitro to do it.

camiller · 04-22-2009, 03:08 PM

Is Fermtech anti foam the same as fermcap? I've also seen an anti-foam distributed by Crosby and Baker (which you may find in your LHBS) that is Dow Corning FG-10 anti-foam. It appears that it is Polydimethylsiloxane rather than Simethicone.

Edit: Then wikipedia provides this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

...Activated dimethicone, a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes and silicon dioxide (sometimes called simethicone), is used in Over-the-counter drug as an anti-foaming agent...

Edit2: Just to add to the confusion (OK probably only my confusion) Fermtech doesn't list an anti-foam product on their web site of downloadable PDF product sheet.