Correct gelatin usage

[brewkinger]

I was told by fellow homebrewers to use unflavored gelatin to make my beers more clear.

I know that it is supposed to be added into secondary fermentation, but the question is..... when??

I racked from primary to secondary today after 1 week (I usually wait longer, but I needed large fermenter for another batch)
I added gelatin mixture at this point and now am wondering if I should have waited until later in the secondary.

 

[GrogNerd]

a tablespoon per five gallon batch.

Mix it with hot tap water in a sauce pot, about 1 cup of water per tablespoon.

Stir it up and let it sit for 20-30 minutes to hydrate and bloom.

Put the pot on the stove and heat until it looks like it’s about to start boiling…don’t boil.

Cool slightly (I put my pot in a cold water bath).

Add it (gently) to the secondary (or keg) as you’re racking your beer.

 

[brussum]

I usually add gelatin during the bottling process. I simply dissolve it with the priming sugar and pour it into the bottling bucket. Then, it's just a matter of racking the beer from the secondary (or primary) onto the solution.

 

[brewkinger]

Funny thing is that I read Palmer today and I missed the "as you are racking your beer"

So I did it at the correct time then.

Thanks for the help and the quote of a book that I have and looked at today.
The NOOB is wearing off slowly, but it is wearing off!

 

[GrogNerd]

The NOOB is wearing off slowly, but it is wearing off!

I first brewed 18 years ago and I'm still n00b

 

[BigRob]

I would suggest "blooming" the gelatin in cold water first, then adding it to warm water, hydrating the gelatin then dissolving it will result in faster dissolution. Not as much of an issue with Jell-O because the gelatin is mixed with sugar and such. Using boiled and cooled water is preferable to heating "close to boiling", don't exceed 180F.

 

[badbrew]

I usually add gelatin during the bottling process. I simply dissolve it with the priming sugar and pour it into the bottling bucket. Then, it's just a matter of racking the beer from the secondary (or primary) onto the solution.

Hadn't heard that one yet. Interesting

I used gelatin on the last couple batches and got too cloudy beer. Maybe my expectations are too high though. On my next batch I'm going to add it to the keg and shake the keg up before putting it in the fridge.