FermcapS rock!!! Pic

[Mutilated1]

Count me as a skeptic of the 10% thing as well. I do not see how IBUs could possibly change in the fermenter. You need heat to utilize the alpha acids (as far as I know), and the conditions in the fermenter are not such. The only possible thing I can think of is that in the boil this slightly reduces the amount of hop build up on the sides of the kettle. However, we have already discussed and been convinced that this does not affect IBUs or hop profile in any substantial way.

Fermcap is a great product and I have not anecdotaly seen a change in IBUs from using it.

It sort of makes sense that it might make hop utlilization better if you added it during the boil though. If the wort doesn't foam up then the hops don't get stuck to the side of the pot so more hops stays in the wort - maybe thats how it works ? Of course thats pure speculatoin on my part - I've never used the stuff.

I don't really see how it could help in the fermenter though. At least help as far as make the hop utilization better.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

If hop resins aren't being shot out the blow off tube then you don't lose them.

 

[edstirling]

The anti-foaming activity is from reduced surface tension. It's the same concept as when you use akali cleansers to clean your equipment, lower surface tension makes it feel slippery and allows better "wetting" of the surfaces. Simethicone would allow better wetting of the hops in your boil. So your hops wouldn't get trapped in foam at the top, but would also allow water to soak into each flower more completely. It might also help in the mash when you dough in, and help prevent stuck sparge, or help you deal with hard water. I wonder whether it would contribute/hinder channeling during the sparge... I'm not sure about in the fermenter though. If you've got problems with too much blow-off then sure, but usually a tall krauzen is good 'cause it lets you remove some tannans. Maybe in the secondary to off-gas and push O2 out. Wikipedia has a long list of all products that include simethicone, Gas-X and rolaids etc.

Is it better to have friends between beers or beers between friends?

 

[EdWort]

I'm a fan.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJtKqWZod1g]YouTube - Boiling Robust Porter Wort[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D83VCUrJ9Aw]YouTube - Yeast Starters[/ame]

 

[Brewme]

Here is Dimethicone in its pure form:

http://www.tkbtrading.com/item.php?item_id=766

16 oz with shipping = $11.45. Not bad considering it would last a looooong time.

 

[Scut_Monkey]

I used some fermcap in my Pyrex flask starter yesterday. Oh man was it awesome. Normally it's like trying to control a volcano of boilover but this time it was me trying to control my need to do something as it required not attention. Awesome product and only required 1 drop.

 

[Tonedef131]

I kind of don't like the idea of this stuff in my beer either, I know how it works and everything I just don't like using anything I don't have to. I never have boilovers and rarely do I have blowoff, so it's not that big of a deal to me.

However, every time I make starters they boil over and it was getting to the point that I hated making them. So I got me some of this stuff and I tell you what, I will never make a starter again without it no matter how much I dislike the idea.

 

[olllllo]

^^ If i can sum this up: Working with a milky white viscous substance puts you in an uncomfortable place, but you will work with it in confined places.

Dude you are in Prison.

 

[TexLaw]

I've used Fermcap-S for about 15 years and swear by it. I don't like adding weird things to my beer, either, but this stuff completely settles out and does nothing except avoid messes. I've recommended it without hesitation many times, and I continue to do so.


TL

 

[GrizlyGarou]

Count me as a skeptic of the 10% thing as well. I do not see how IBUs could possibly change in the fermenter. You need heat to utilize the alpha acids (as far as I know), and the conditions in the fermenter are not such. The only possible thing I can think of is that in the boil this slightly reduces the amount of hop build up on the sides of the kettle. However, we have already discussed and been convinced that this does not affect IBUs or hop profile in any substantial way.

Fermcap is a great product and I have not anecdotaly seen a change in IBUs from using it.

Possibly in the feremnter, the krausen rises up and the remaining hop particles stick to the sides, but without the foam more stays in the fermenting wort longer?

10% isn't really all that much. It's not like it would be the difference between a heffe and an IPA. I suppose if you split a batch in half and put the fermcap in once fermenter but not the other, there might be a slight difference to someone that is really focused and experienced in judging the IBU when drinking a beer but I doubt I'd notice 10%...

 

[Tonedef131]

^^ If i can sum this up: Working with a milky white viscous substance puts you in a in comfortable place, but you will work with it in confined places.

Dude you are in Prison.

I like to squirt a full dropper all over my face if that tells you anything...

 

[MacBruver]

This stuff is awesome. I boiled 7.5 gallons in my 8 gallon pot on a SQ14 burner- it was a SOLID boil. Not a single boilover!!! I didn't get any pics of that brew day, but next time I will. Of course by then i may have my keggle...

 

[Scut_Monkey]

I like to squirt a full dropper all over my face if that tells you anything...

Lol..... Hilarious. You are getting added to my sig.

 

[Scut_Monkey]

There you go Tonedef! See below.

 

[Tonedef131]

Scut Monkey's sig: The Hall of Shame

 

[weirdboy]

Is this stuff really that much cheaper that it is worth using a non-directly-designed-for-this-purpose product? I mean for $5 you get a bottle of professional grade brewery additive that is FDA approved that lasts for like 50 batches...

I guess I just don't see the cost/reward in this idea.

I'm pretty sure Baby Gas-X is FDA approved...

 

[Sithdad]

Did a quick google search and came up with this from Medicinenet.com

BRAND NAME: Phazyme; Flatulex; Mylicon; Gas-X; Mylanta Gas

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Simethicone is an anti-gas (anti-flatulence) medication. It acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling smaller bubbles to join together into bigger bubbles. In this way it is believed that gas can be eliminated more easily by belching or passing flatus. Simethicone was approved by the FDA in 1952.

Here is the drug facts from the Infant Gas-X box http://www.gas-x.com/pdf/infantdrops-label.pdf

 

[passedpawn]

Fermcap-S is far, far cheaper than buying the simethicone equivalents at your local drug store.

 

[Hermit]

I have this same exact stove and had a hard time getting 2.5 gals to keep a boil. It is brand new as well. Curious if there is a problem with mine or you know a trick that I don't. With the 2.5 gals. I had to keep a lid over 3/4 of the top.

By the way this picture kinda freaked me out as it looks like your brewing in my house!! Same stove, same countertops...even the knife set!!! You better leave some homebrew for me when you finish next time.

This is late, but two things. First is your pot. If it bows up in the center and creates a pocket it will trip the sensor. Second, I've seen new stoves come with bad sensors in all burners. They will tell you it is the pots though.

 

[Myke_J]

Just another one to add to the "FermcapS rock!!!" thread. This a little less then 7 gallons in a 7.5 gallon pot.

 

[-TH-]

Am I the only one who still has boil overs with this stuff? I am using 2 drops per gallon, and with less than 6 gals in 7.5 gal pot I still have boil overs. Granted my pot is somewhat tall and skinny but still. Should I try more drops? how much is ok to use?

 

[Conodor]

I used it the first time last week. worked great with 2 Per gallon in a turkey fryer. Flame on max once I got the rolling boil low enough from the top to not spill over.

It was the rolling boil not the foaming up that I had to watch. put alittle to much in the pot.

 

[PseudoChef]

Am I the only one who still has boil overs with this stuff? I am using 2 drops per gallon, and with less than 6 gals in 7.5 gal pot I still have boil overs. Granted my pot is somewhat tall and skinny but still. Should I try more drops? how much is ok to use?

When are you adding it? If you add it when it is already foaming, the Fermcap doesn't disperse into the liquid like it should. I have found adding when coming up to a boil and right after I pitch my yeast (for no-blow off purposes) works wonders.

I tried to add it once when I used some top-cropped yeast when it was already starting to foam up and it was a nightmare.

 

[FlyGuy]

Am I the only one who still has boil overs with this stuff? I am using 2 drops per gallon, and with less than 6 gals in 7.5 gal pot I still have boil overs. Granted my pot is somewhat tall and skinny but still. Should I try more drops? how much is ok to use?

Yes, it could be that you are adding it too late to be effective. Are you shaking it up good to mix everything in the bottle before you use it?

Otherwise, the only thing I can think of is that your fermcap is stale and has lost some of its effectiveness.

 

[-TH-]

Yes, it could be that you are adding it too late to be effective. Are you shaking it up good to mix everything in the bottle before you use it?

Otherwise, the only thing I can think of is that your fermcap is stale and has lost some of its effectiveness.

When are you supposed to put it in? I didn't realize it made a difference and I was putting it in right when the boil starts - oops?

I shake it up as good as I can, but I keep it refridgerated like the bottle says so its like trying to shake up a full bottle of elmer's glue.

Could be stale I suppose but I've only had it a couple months. Bought it online from northern brewer.

 

[EvilGnome6]

I tried to add it once when I used some top-cropped yeast when it was already starting to foam up and it was a nightmare.

I tried to use it on some top-cropping yeast and it had zero effect on containing a blowoff.

 

[PseudoChef]

I tried to use it on some top-cropping yeast and it had zero effect on containing a blowoff.

I am glad you have shared my misery.

 

[Cazamodo]

Where do i get this in the UK, cant find it anywehre

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Where do i get this in the UK, cant find it anywehre

Check in the local drug store for a product whose main ingredient is smiethicone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simethicone

 

[FlyGuy]

When are you supposed to put it in? I didn't realize it made a difference and I was putting it in right when the boil starts - oops?

I shake it up as good as I can, but I keep it refridgerated like the bottle says so its like trying to shake up a full bottle of elmer's glue.

Could be stale I suppose but I've only had it a couple months. Bought it online from northern brewer.

I put it in at the beginning of the boil. I also let it warm on the counter while I am mashing so that it is easier to shake up and use when I need it.

I suspect that even if yours is stale, just use more of it than recommended and it will probably work just fine.