Too late to add gelatin?

[ErieShores]

I racked a blonde ale to a secondary glass carboy on Wednesday after a week in a primary. Is it too late to add gelatin? In case it matters...
OG 1.040 gravity at racking time 1.004.

 

[smokinghole]

I add mine after transferring to secondary and let it sit for 3 days or so. You're FINE.

 

[ErieShores]

Thanks smoking hole. I will probably have to let it sit until next weekend when I can bottle. Is a week or so too long? Sorry, I have never used gelatin but I do want to try to clear it.

 

[JuanMoore]

Never too late to add gelatin. A lot of people add it to the keg.

 

[smokinghole]

You can leave it a week no problem. I just dropped some in my saison a few hours ago and I'm headed to myrtle beach for a week.

 

[ErieShores]

Thanks guys, have fun in Myrtle smokinghole.

 

[JKoravos]

I wouldn't bother unless you're going to chill it below serving temp before adding it. Otherwise, add away. I sometimes add it when I counterpressure bottle.

 

[scottmd06]

Ive never used gelatin so Im curious as to why one would add it and what it would do for my brew?

 

[JuanMoore]

It's used as a fining agent to clear the beer. Primarily an aesthetic thing.

 

[ErieShores]

I wouldn't bother unless you're going to chill it below serving temp before adding it. Otherwise, add away. I sometimes add it when I counterpressure bottle.

So you are telling me that if I don't chill my carboy to 40-ish degrees before adding gelatin, it won't clear the beer?

 

[jeffmeh]

So you are telling me that if I don't chill my carboy to 40-ish degrees before adding gelatin, it won't clear the beer?

I believe you will get some clearing without cold-crashing, and it will take relatively longer to work. I do know that gelatin combined with cold-crashing works great. I cold crash to 33-34 for two days, add gelatin, and rack around five days later with excellent results.