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Author Topic: Biofine usage rate  (Read 5573 times)

Offline ynotbrusum

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Biofine usage rate
« on: January 23, 2015, 09:46:09 am »
I thought I would give this a try on a cream ale that I am cold crashing.  Any pointers on usage rate per 5 gallon keg?
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2015, 10:11:27 am »
I thought I would give this a try on a cream ale that I am cold crashing.  Any pointers on usage rate per 5 gallon keg?

Morebeer lists the usage rate as 1/4 tbsp - 2 tbsp per 5 gallons.  I've been using 1 tbsp with good results.  But the key (like gelatin) is to have the beer fully cold first - I usually chill the beer for 48 hours and rack into keg onto the Biofine to get good mixing. It'll be pretty clear in 24-48 hrs. Usually exceptionally clear after a few more days.
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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2015, 03:10:08 pm »
Thanks, Jon.  I usually use some Whirlfloc, but forgot on brew day. The Biofine bottle is so small and the range is so big, so that's why I asked - no sense wasting it on the high end  The cream ale was sitting in my garage at 40F or so, so it should work great.  Appreciate the insight.  As always, somebody on this forum will know....
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2015, 03:21:11 pm »
Thanks, Jon.  I usually use some Whirlfloc, but forgot on brew day. The Biofine bottle is so small and the range is so big, so that's why I asked - no sense wasting it on the high end  The cream ale was sitting in my garage at 40F or so, so it should work great.  Appreciate the insight.  As always, somebody on this forum will know....

Yeah definitely.  I wanted to try it knowing how many breweries use it (I remembered Keith posting how well he liked it), and also because it's just easier than blooming and mixing up gelatin. I like it and plan on using it from now on. BTW, the first pint after the 24-48 hr period will be cloudy, clear after.
Jon H.

Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2015, 03:34:30 pm »
Cool and good to know.  Sounds like it works fast.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2015, 05:02:08 pm »
Shops should be selling that stuff in larger packages. At 1 TBS per 5 gallons, it comes down to $1+ a batch. Gelatin, while certainly more effort, is maybe $0.05 per 5 gallons.


This is a bit better at $0.74 per 5 gallons. - http://barleyhaven.com/biofiner-clear-1-ltr.html

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2015, 05:21:26 pm »
Shops should be selling that stuff in larger packages. At 1 TBS per 5 gallons, it comes down to $1+ a batch. Gelatin, while certainly more effort, is maybe $0.05 per 5 gallons.


This is a bit better at $0.74 per 5 gallons. - http://barleyhaven.com/biofiner-clear-1-ltr.html

Yeah, that's a much better deal. But the thing is, Biofine supposedly has a shelf life of a year - I only use it for certain beers, so I couldn't begin to use it all in a year. It's definitely more expensive than gelatin, but the convenience of measuring out a tbsp is worth it to me over mixing gelatin. Both work well, though.
Jon H.

Offline majorvices

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2015, 05:51:29 pm »
The dosage rate varies greatly. 19 ml - 190 ml per bbl. It works well too, and only works when it is cold as Hoosier mentioned. Also, don't store it cold or it will activate and become worthless.

Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2015, 03:25:47 pm »
Major - is that true...crap

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Offline majorvices

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2015, 05:00:32 pm »
Major - is that true...crap

About the storing cold? If it turns to slush you have ruined it. Unfortunately.

Offline a10t2

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2015, 10:18:31 am »
Doesn't the packaging say to store it cold? Freezing it could be bad, but refrigerator temperatures don't seem to matter.

For me, the sweet spot seems to be ~80 mL/bbl. I'll use more like 50 mL/bbl for lagers since it's generally just a little chill haze that's left after lagering.
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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2015, 04:30:38 am »
No slush , so hopefully it is good to go.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Biofine usage rate
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2015, 05:10:48 am »
Doesn't the packaging say to store it cold? Freezing it could be bad, but refrigerator temperatures don't seem to matter.

For me, the sweet spot seems to be ~80 mL/bbl. I'll use more like 50 mL/bbl for lagers since it's generally just a little chill haze that's left after lagering.

When mine turned to slush a year ago the guy told me not to store it in cold room.