Fining with gelatin: does it have to dissolve?

[giuzep89]

Hello friends,
As per thread title: does gelatin have to be completely dissolved in water before adding it to the cider to work well? I didn't manage to really dissolve it and still added it to the ciders I'm making after the fermentation completed. It's been 2 days and I don't see much difference in clarity. Did I mess it up?

 

[TechFanMD]

How long were your ciders sitting before adding? What temp is the cider?

I let it clear a few weeks after fermentation is complete then move to another vessel (keg/carboy), chill, and add gelatin. Cold and time are your friends here (in fact a lot will clear just from chilling.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

If not properly dissolved, then you'll have a clump of gelatin. How will the clump stir into the liquid providing the desired fining? Answer, it wont.

 

[giuzep89]

How long were your ciders sitting before adding? What temp is the cider?

I let it clear a few weeks after fermentation is complete then move to another vessel (keg/carboy), chill, and add gelatin. Cold and time are your friends here (in fact a lot will clear just from chilling.

Started on Sunday, went dry on Wednesday, added gelatin on Thursday morning. Temperature 20°C. I guess I should get a fridge for cold crashing!

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Yes, optimum clarify is obtained from chilling the beer and fining.

Please see Gelatin Fining - Cold Versus Warm

 

[Maylar]

Dave Taylor uses gelatin - search for some of his posts:

Clearing Ciders & Jam Questions