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General Category => Ingredients => Topic started by: Pi on July 25, 2011, 07:13:31 PM

Title: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: Pi on July 25, 2011, 07:13:31 PM

It's supposed to reduce blowoff without effecting head retention. Your thoughts.

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: chumley on July 25, 2011, 07:34:24 PM

I used to use it, until I found out that it plugs up your kidneys slowly over time.  :(

Now I carefully select the primary in consideration of all the factors that might lead to blowoff. I use carboys when the probability is low (lagers), and an oversized bucket when the probability is high (hoppy, high gravity, type of yeast, etc.).

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: tygo on July 25, 2011, 07:42:06 PM

There was a fairly comprehensive discussion about the potential health impacts of Fermcap awhile back.

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=7419.0

I use it at the recommended dosage when I'm worried about blow-offs.  It works pretty well.

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: nateo on July 25, 2011, 07:52:06 PM

I've heard that alcohol slowly hardens your liver over time, but that hasn't stopped me from drinking beer.

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: denny on July 25, 2011, 07:53:20 PM

I share Chumley's health concerns, but being stupid I continue to use it.

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: richardt on July 25, 2011, 08:05:31 PM

I am a fan of FermCap-S.  The kidney claims are unsupported and alarmist, IMO.

Title: Re: Anybody use Fermcap-S?
Post by: jeffy on July 25, 2011, 09:34:23 PM

I use it in the boil kettle on every brew.  At the rate of a couple drops in 10 gallons, it does not worry me in the least.