[flbrewer]

Recently brewed a 5 gallon extract w. one Whifloc tablet. After brewing (before pitching) I took an OG reading and I noticed that the Whirlfloc had already started to work in the hydrometer test jar (very clear beer with big clumps of protein).
Took an FG reading tonight (~2 weeks in primary)and I noticed the beer was somewhat cloudy. The only difference is that I'm dry hopping and maybe it's sediment. Any thoughts?

[majorvices]

Whirlflock works on proteins in the wort. It is a kettle fining. It won't help clarity as far as yeast goes. It really just helps drop out hot break proteins.

Also, for a 5 gallon batch you should use half a tablet.

[flbrewer]

So you're saying it should be extra clear? 

[Jeff M]

So you're saying it should be extra clear? 

IM pretty sure hes saying it clears certain things but not others, and needs to be used in tandem with things like cold crashing and/or gelatin/finings.

[flbrewer]

Gotcha. Just odd it worked so well initially then it didn't look like it was working. Perhaps the yeast was the issue.

[Jeff M]

Gotcha. Just odd it worked so well initially then it didn't look like it was working. Perhaps the yeast was the issue.

Yeast is certainly one of the issues.  Why do you think a hefeweizen(for example) is cloudy but something like a lager isnt?

[majorvices]

So you're saying it should be extra clear? 

No, you just used twice as much as needed. OTOH have the instructions say something like 1 tablet per 5 degrees plato per barrel. IIRC. So higher gravity beers and lower gravity beers use more or less respectively.

Also, as I said, it works on the kettle only. Absolutely you will need fining or filtering or time to drop out yeast. And it may not work as well on chill haze. I think it works best to drop out hot break. Cold break is another story entirely.

[flbrewer]

FWIW, the label says to use one tablet per 5-10 gallons.

[majorvices]

FWIW, the label says to use one tablet per 5-10 gallons.

So, if you use 1 tablet per 10 gallons per instructions .... you'd think you could use half for 5. Hey, it's your money. That stuff sure doesn't smell or taste good so I'd rather not use too much.

[flbrewer]

I actually used a half tablet in a one gallon batch and didn't taste anything.

[denny]

There has been SO much discussion and disagreement about how much Whirlfoc to use and when to use it, I did something that apparently few people have done...I contacted a technical person at the company!  Yeah, I know, a pretty radical solution.  Here's the reply....

"As a general rule of thumb 1 tablet will treat 15 - 25 litres of wort depending on the grist composition. The tablets should be added to the kettle 10 minutes before the end of the boil"

[mattybrass]

Which do you guys prefer to use, moss or whirlfloc? I used to use moss, now i usually use floc because its more convenient (aka laziness on my part for not wanting to/forgetting to measure out the moss)

[morticaixavier]

Which do you guys prefer to use, moss or whirlfloc? I used to use moss, now i usually use floc because its more convenient (aka laziness on my part for not wanting to/forgetting to measure out the moss)

i use irish moss because I can get it organic and I don't bother to measure perse. a 5 gallon batch get's a small palm full while a 10 gallon batch gets a large palm full. very scientific

[denny]

Which do you guys prefer to use, moss or whirlfloc? I used to use moss, now i usually use floc because its more convenient (aka laziness on my part for not wanting to/forgetting to measure out the moss)

I think they're equally effective.  For some reason, though, I keep buying Whirlfloc.

[Slowbrew]

Which do you guys prefer to use, moss or whirlfloc? I used to use moss, now i usually use floc because its more convenient (aka laziness on my part for not wanting to/forgetting to measure out the moss)

i use irish moss because I can get it organic and I don't bother to measure perse. a 5 gallon batch get's a small palm full while a 10 gallon batch gets a large palm full. very scientific

That's exactly what I do.

My brother-in-law (also a brewer) looked at me like I just killed his mother when watched me do it that way one day.  He was like, you have to rehydrate, you have to let it sit, you can't just throw it in the boiling wort!!

All I could say was "how's that beer you're drinking?".   

Paul