Does fermcap retard fermentation?

[2bluewagons]

I personally have researched this and engaged the bio-chemists in conversation and I have not read any such empirical evidence such as you state.

I think the empirical evidence is that there is not excessive (or any) foam during the boil, but the finished beer retains a head nicely. If there were still an appreciable amount of fermcap in suspension in the beer that is consumed, head retention would be affected. Let's not get too carried away with use of the word "empirical." Also questionable use of the term "tensile friction." But that's way OT and even a bit troll-like, so let's move on.

Ok, way back to the OP. As you have probably figured out by now, Fermcap has nothing to do with your sluggish fermentation. Are you sure it's sluggish and not just one of those calm and quiet fermentations? What yeast did you use? Did you use a starter? Did you oxygenate? Is it a big beer? These factors have way more to do with lag time and fermentation action than anything else.

 

[m3n00b]

Fermcap makes things look calm but that's it.

 

[jbaysurfer]

I think fermcap, when used as directed is fine and firmly believe it will not retard fermentation.

That said, what's such a messy hassle about a blowoff tube? You attach it to a bung, and put the other end in sanitizer. If you're getting a mess from the blowoff itself, use a bigger jar/small bucket for the sanitizer, and place some sanitized aluminum foil loosely over the sanitizer jar/bucket, where it will knock down blow-off bubbles and keep the mess in the jar/bucket.

Brewing beer is enough work, that the "hassle" of a blowoff tube compared to the "hassle" of fermcap and sanitizing an airlock is diminishing returns. Just forego additives and do about 10 seconds of extra work and your concerns will be addressed.

 

[Denny]

Ooops, I added SIX drops to my fermenter. Maybe that's why my ferm seems sluggish. It started early and vigoriously but now (48 hours in) seems rather lifeless.

Fermcap will have NO effect on the fermentation.

 

[duboman]

I think the empirical evidence is that there is not excessive (or any) foam during the boil, but the finished beer retains a head nicely. If there were still an appreciable amount of fermcap in suspension in the beer that is consumed, head retention would be affected. Let's not get too carried away with use of the word "empirical." Also questionable use of the term "tensile friction." But that's way OT and even a bit troll-like, so let's move on.

Ok, way back to the OP. As you have probably figured out by now, Fermcap has nothing to do with your sluggish fermentation. Are you sure it's sluggish and not just one of those calm and quiet fermentations? What yeast did you use? Did you use a starter? Did you oxygenate? Is it a big beer? These factors have way more to do with lag time and fermentation action than anything else.

I wasn't trying to be "troll-like" or an a$$-hat, I was just curious, I like to learn.........

 

[2bluewagons]

Hey man, no worries. I was calling myself troll-like for disagreeing on the finer points of using "tensile" as a friction descriptor. You are certainly among friends in your nerdy ways. My point was that sometimes in our effort to learn and study the minutia, we overlook the simple observations and should take some time just to enjoy the dang beer...

 

[moski]

Two weeks ago I brewed a hefe with a 60/40 wheat/pils mix and used a blow off tube into a gallon jug that I was cleaning up the blow off from twice. This week I did another 5gal with only a hop change and finally got my fermcap in and used some in the boil and fermenter. No blow off, a half inch kreuesen in a violently churning carboy. Look for movement in the wort if you're not using a bucket or check that you don't have a leak that's bypassing your airlock. Mine's blowing like a goldfish bubbler.