Going to Use Gelatin, Need Advice

[ILBMF]

Last Sunday I racked a 7.50% IPA into the secondary after 7 days. That's when I added the dry hop additions. I have decided to use gelatin for clearing and plan on cooling the beer in the secondary before the gelatin addition.

I would like some advice from people that have done this with the beer chilled in the secondary before the gelatin addition. What I'm looking for is a schedule. The beer is finished fermenting now and Sunday it will be the 2 week point. Knowing that I have dry hopped an IPA, when would be the best time to pop it in the fridge, add the gelatin, and how long in the fridge? Someone with experience please give me a tried and true schedule.

Again, thanks for the expertise here on the forum.

 

[Reelale]

I don't know if this is the definitive answer, but I've used gelatin on several batches in conjunction with a cold-crash. In other words, I add the gelatin on top of the beer after it is racked from the fermenter to the keg, and cold-crash the keg. Sometimes I'll even start carbonating as soon as I put it in the kegerator, depending on how clear it came out of the fermenter. IMO, you could dry-hop for 7 days in the secondary, rack to a keg, add gelatin and cold-crash for about 5 days to a week. If you're bottling, you could omit the keg and cold-crash your secondary, with gelatin, the same amount of time. Should work. I know there is some discussion here on the amount of yeast available for bottle conditioning after the crash with gelatin. I'm not sure of the consensus though.

 

[ILBMF]

I read about guys doing the secondary cold crash and some say you just need to let bottles sit longer since a lot of the yeast gets dragged down. I only bottle one six-pack on each 5 gallon batch.

I'm using pellet hops too and I figure 7 days in the secondary plus 4-5 days in the fridge would be long enough. My initial idea here is to put the secondary in the fridge after 7 days (plus the 7 in primary) and let it get cold for a couple of days, then hit it with the gelatin and leave it sit for 4 days or so. After that, rack it to a bottling bucket, prime it, keg and bottle it. I'm just looking for somebody to verify this as a good method. From what I've read, I think I'm on track. This batch is really important to me. I know it's the best IPA I've made to date after a lot of research and trial batches. I used the promash software with a reputable brewmaster to tweak things. We both shared my last Loose Cannon clone and a bottle of the real deal and came up with a tweak that looks to be the cat's ass.

 

[andy777]

I don't know if this is the definitive answer, but I've used gelatin on several batches in conjunction with a cold-crash. In other words, I add the gelatin on top of the beer after it is racked from the fermenter to the keg, and cold-crash the keg. Sometimes I'll even start carbonating as soon as I put it in the kegerator, depending on how clear it came out of the fermenter. IMO, you could dry-hop for 7 days in the secondary, rack to a keg, add gelatin and cold-crash for about 5 days to a week. If you're bottling, you could omit the keg and cold-crash your secondary, with gelatin, the same amount of time. Should work. I know there is some discussion here on the amount of yeast available for bottle conditioning after the crash with gelatin. I'm not sure of the consensus though.

Save the secondary (almost never do it), this is basically my routine. I rack from the primary directly to a purged keg that has the gelatin solution already in it. Then straight into the fridge. I'm amazed how quickly it clears the beer.

 

[ILBMF]

So, directly to the fridge after the gelatin is good? I'm thinking the chill haze proteins should be suspended well before adding gelatin. At least that's what some have said...get the chill haze up before knocking it down.

 

[skiwithg]

For the best effect from the gelatin, chill the beer first for 24 to 48 hours, then add the gelatin on top. 4 days with the gelatin should suffice.

You're correct, chill haze has to develop in order to be removed.

Finings work by attracting particles, such as yeast & proteins, into larger particle groups. The large the particle, the faster it will sink to the bottom.

Google up Ian Ward & finings for good explanation of finings. He talks mostly about isinglass, but gelatin works in a similar manner.

Cheers,
Glenn

 

[ILBMF]

I'll go ahead as planned. Thanks.

 

[Special Hops]

How much gelatin would you use for 5 gallons? Is this the powder stuff?

 

[bad67z]

There are usually 4 packages in the box stir 1 package (a teaspoon I think) with 01-2 cups of water. Heat mixture to 190 deg. Add it to your keg.

 

[ILBMF]

Hey bad67z, do you happen to own a '67 Z-28...one of 602 made?

 

[EricCSU]

I don't know if this is the definitive answer, but I've used gelatin on several batches in conjunction with a cold-crash. In other words, I add the gelatin on top of the beer after it is racked from the fermenter to the keg, and cold-crash the keg. Sometimes I'll even start carbonating as soon as I put it in the kegerator, depending on how clear it came out of the fermenter. IMO, you could dry-hop for 7 days in the secondary, rack to a keg, add gelatin and cold-crash for about 5 days to a week. If you're bottling, you could omit the keg and cold-crash your secondary, with gelatin, the same amount of time. Should work. I know there is some discussion here on the amount of yeast available for bottle conditioning after the crash with gelatin. I'm not sure of the consensus though.

I use this process and my beer is now crystal clear.

Eric

 

[Shepherd5]

I am not yet convinced that gelatin gets rid of chill haze. I tried it on my last batch and it didn't take the haze away. I concluded that it did not help because the beer only cleared up in my glass after it came up close to room temp. It does, however, sound like many people have had positive results, but I wonder if their beer would have beer just as clear without using it for other reasons; like a good cold crash, or the use of Irish Moss in the boil, or Whirlfloc. I am still trying to remain open-minded about using it for future batches, but I am torn at this point.

 

[andy777]

I am not yet convinced that gelatin gets rid of chill haze. I tried it on my last batch and it didn't take the haze away. I concluded that it did not help because the beer only cleared up in my glass after it came up close to room temp. It does, however, sound like many people have had positive results, but I wonder if their beer would have beer just as clear without using it for other reasons; like a good cold crash, or the use of Irish Moss in the boil, or Whirlfloc. I am still trying to remain open-minded about using it for future batches, but I am torn at this point.

Generally, my beer ends up just as clear if I don't use gelatin, it just takes a lot longer. Often weeks longer.

 

[bad67z]

Hey bad67z, do you happen to own a '67 Z-28...one of 602 made?

As a matter of fact I do. It was my car in high school. In pieces for the last 15 years, seem to always be sort of time or money.

 

[ILBMF]

Not to get off subject, but I had one which I sold back in '86. I rebuilt the engine twice and ended up throwing the 30-30 camshaft in the trash. (Mistake!!) That car is worth a fortune even in pieces. I'm talking a couple of hundred thousand finished.

 

[ILBMF]

OK,This is what I did.

After fermentation was over, I put the secondary in the fridge for 2 days, then boiled a pack of knox gelatin in a cup or 2 of water. It was poured around the top of the secondary and left in the fridge for about 5 more days. I bottled a four pack and kegged the rest on the 4th of June. The bottles have a bunch of debris floating around and the keg was just tried on the 18th just to take a look. I poured 3 glasses and it's no more clear than when I just use Irish moss.

I described exactly the way I did this, so I consider this accurate information. I will try the gelatin again in the next batch while the secondary is still at 68 degrees and leave it sit for 5 days.

 

[passedpawn]

OK,This is what I did.

After fermentation was over, I put the secondary in the fridge for 2 days, then boiled a pack of knox gelatin in a cup or 2 of water. It was poured around the top of the secondary and left in the fridge for about 5 more days. I bottled a four pack and kegged the rest on the 4th of June. The bottles have a bunch of debris floating around and the keg was just tried on the 18th just to take a look. I poured 3 glasses and it's no more clear than when I just use Irish moss.

I described exactly the way I did this, so I consider this accurate information. I will try the gelatin again in the next batch while the secondary is still at 68 degrees and leave it sit for 5 days.

You boiled your gelatin? That doesn't work. It turns to jello.

You need to add it to water and warm it up until it dissolves, and no further! Then add. I crash cool right after adding it (33F).

 

[passedpawn]

Last Sunday I racked a 7.50% IPA into the secondary after 7 days. That's when I added the dry hop additions. I have decided to use gelatin for clearing and plan on cooling the beer in the secondary before the gelatin addition.

I would like some advice from people that have done this with the beer chilled in the secondary before the gelatin addition. What I'm looking for is a schedule. The beer is finished fermenting now and Sunday it will be the 2 week point. Knowing that I have dry hopped an IPA, when would be the best time to pop it in the fridge, add the gelatin, and how long in the fridge? Someone with experience please give me a tried and true schedule.

Again, thanks for the expertise here on the forum.

I gelatin all time (most of my beers).

Gelatin: 1 pk. I boil a couple of cups of water in a tupperware container (microwave) and let it cool naturally (might take a couple of hours).

Add gelatin, then microwave again and again, for 10 seconds time, until the gelatin dissolves. The crystals will disappear. If you get it too hot, the gelatin will turn to clear jello.

I add to my beer when I know the fermentation is complete. Right after adding gelatin, I crash cool my beers to 33F and leave there for 3 days.

This gives my crystal clear beers.

 

[ILBMF]

Alright, thanks. I'll do exactly that after tomorrow's brew ferments out. I'll count the last attempt as a mistake that didn't ruin the beer. I'll need to get Bill Cosby to help promote it though.:cross:

 

[ILBMF]

OK, I used the gelatin again (correctly) and I chilled a couple of 8 day old bottles last night. My buddy and me poured them in glasses and I can report pretty damn clear beer in 8 days. Thanks for the advice, I'll be using this method from here on out.

 

[ILBMF]

Bringing this thread back from the dead.

Since last summer, this is what I've learned from experience...if bottling, use the gelatin (prepared as previously suggested in this thread) in the secondary after it has cleared and immediately cold crash the secondary upon the addition of the gelatin. The beer will be crystal clear in the bottles within 1 week.

When kegging, pour the gelatin (prepared) directly in the keg just as you are about to chill the keg. The beer will be crystal clear in 4 days.