Thoughts on my procedure for using gelatin fining?

[LloydGM]

I've been using Whirlfloc tablets for quite a while and it's fairly good by itself, but after 47 batches of beer, I'm finally interested in going the add'l step of using gelatin. So I created this procedure based on a lot of people's comments and even debating a little with ChatGBT. (Hey, I'm a software engineer, gotta get computing involved some how! lol) How's this look to y'all?

Assumptions:
1. My fermenter is a FermZilla All-Rounder
2. I use KegLand Oxebar 20L kegs
3. My process uses 3 kegs (#3 holding my StarSan for my next batch)
4. I use a mini-keg made from a soda bottle and a T-adapter with a dip tube.
5. I'm also shooting for fairly minimal CO2 usage since I use a pressure fermenter at 15 PSI and all transfers are done at low pressure.

Procedure:
1. Prep 2 kegs for beer by filling keg #1 with StarSan solution, pressure transfering to keg #2 and then again to keg #3.
2. Pressure transfer beer from the FermZilla to keg #1, then cold crash it for 2 days.
3. Make the gelatin fining mixture, pour into a freshly-sanitized soda bottle, seal it with the T-adapter.
4. Pressure transfer the soda bottle into chilled keg #2.
5. Pressure transfer keg #1 into keg #2, then cold crash it for 3 days.
6. Move keg #2 into the keezer, serve after reaching final pressure.

Thoughts?

PS The best I was able to find Knox gelatin for was $20 on Amazon for a 1 pound round container.

 

[Minbari]

Just my $0.02. pointless to fin your beer in the keg. Needs to be done in the fermenter so the crud drops out and your transfer clear beer to the keg

 

[LloydGM]

Just my $0.02. pointless to fin your beer in the keg. Needs to be done in the fermenter so the crud drops out and your transfer clear beer to the keg

Normally, aye, but when I brew, I usually do 3 back-to-back batches, modifying each slightly as I play with my recipe. Moving the beer into a keg frees up my fermenter so I can start the next batch. Also, with Whirlfloc, my junk drops out anyway. I want the fining to ditch the chill haze which really hasn't been a big deal for me to date, I'm just finally wanting to see how refined I can get things now.

Mind you, I haven't tested this new procedure yet, so I really appreciate the feedback.

 

[Donoroto]

I found unflavored gelatin packets at the local grocery.

 

[LloydGM]

I found unflavored gelatin packets at the local grocery.

Ditto, but $3.50 per ounce for a 4-pack is $56/pound

 

[Donoroto]

Ditto, but $3.50 per ounce for a 4-pack is $56/pound

Oh. But in 2 years I have yet to finish the package.
I suppose $20 is not unreasonable.

 

[LloydGM]

Oh. But in 2 years I have yet to finish the package.
I suppose $20 is not unreasonable.

Ah yeah, a matter of scale, I get it.
I started thinking, "maybe I make too much beer?" I can't believe I actually considered that for a single nanosecond, lol.

Yeah, I make a dozen batches per year, so I tend to buy everything in larger amounts. Last shopping trip, it was 4 sacks of grain. {sigh}

 

[Donoroto]

Ah yeah, a matter of scale, I get it.
I started thinking, "maybe I make too much beer?" I can't believe I actually considered that for a single nanosecond, lol.

Yeah, I make a dozen batches per year, so I tend to buy everything in larger amounts. Last shopping trip, it was 4 sacks of grain. {sigh}

I can’t believe you thought that either.

When I was brewing more often, I also bought in quantity. I think the tipping point was mostly ignoring beer clarity, as whirlfloc, lagering*, and careful processes made them plenty clear.

*In this case, I mean just storing kegged beer a few weeks to let things settle to the bottom. All my dip tubes are cut 1/2” short.

 

[LloydGM]

... and careful processes made them plenty clear.

*In this case, I mean just storing kegged beer a few weeks to let things settle to the bottom. All my dip tubes are cut 1/2” short.

Ditto, mine were mostly clear, at least clear enough for me. And when I was using corny kegs, I'd just draw off a pint or so to get rid of the bit of gunk, then it was clear sailing the rest of the way. Now, PET kegs have floating dip tubes which are awfully cool. Now, I think I'm mostly just curious as to how clear I can get things, sort of the ADHD part in me, m'thinks. At least I get to satisfy my curiousity.

 

[Bigbre04]

I have used biofine not gelatin. Generally we would ferment in a uni and then transfer to a purged brite with the biofine in the bottom of it. transfering the beer to the brite and then the carb stone both do the job of mixing the biofine into solution. We would then wait a minimum of 24 hrs before packing the beer off the brite tank.

at this point though i dont bother with finings. Most of my beers will clear up within a week or so of being cold unless they have voss and a dryhop then they never actually clear up.

 

[LloydGM]

I thought Biofine was considered a fining as it's a chemical clearing agent?

Until now, I've been with you, just lagering my beer over time gets it pretty clear. Maybe I'm getting more impatient as I get older? Probably just the curiosity, though, I'd like to see how clear I can get a beer.

 

[Bigbre04]

I thought Biofine was considered a fining as it's a chemical clearing agent?

Until now, I've been with you, just lagering my beer over time gets it pretty clear. Maybe I'm getting more impatient as I get older? Probably just the curiosity, though, I'd like to see how clear I can get a beer.

it works essentially the same way as gelatin.

Honestly i dont use finings. i have them, but i also dont transfer out of the Uni that i ferment in. I dont have the time or volume to actually transfer to brite. i wouldnt worry so much about it.