Break material in FV

johnnie · Jul 30, 2012

Hi everyone. Did my 6th ag yesterday, but still don't have a wort chiller, so I drain into an FV and leave to cool overnight.
I've never had any break material, (not that I've noticed anyway) in my previous brews.
This morning I opened up the fv and found a large plume in the middle of the wort. Drained some into a trial jar which formed large clumps like clouds, so I presumed this was break material.
I used a protofloc tab for the first time instead of irish moss, is this why there is so much?
Will this material settle to the bottom or is this one for the drain?
Also if I use a chiller to cool the wort in the boiler will the hop filter remove most of this material?
Cheers
J

Vossy1 · Jul 30, 2012

This morning I opened up the fv and found a large plume in the middle of the wort. Drained some into a trial jar which formed large clumps like clouds, so I presumed this was break material.
I used a protofloc tab for the first time instead of irish moss, is this why there is so much?
Will this material settle to the bottom or is this one for the drain?
Also if I use a chiller to cool the wort in the boiler will the hop filter remove most of this material?

I think you're right, it's break material. Protafloc is very good at making break, if you get what look like lumps of bread in your fv you can reduce the amount of protafloc you're using. It should settle and some will get thrown on the yeast head, it'll look dirty by comparison. If you chill in the kettle the break material should be retained by the hops acting as a filter bed :thumb:

johnnie · Jul 30, 2012

Thanks Vossy. I used a whole tablet which is what the instructions said on the tub. I'll try half next time and see what happens. Think I also need to invest in a wort chiller.

rich27500 · Jul 30, 2012

It will settle though

50quidsoundboy · Jul 30, 2012

i did my AG2 recently, using a wort chiller + a Whirlfloc tablet, i got a decent cold break in the boiler but loads of material ended up in the FV, neither the hop bed nor the strainer in the boiler seemed to effectively remove it.

Mark1964 · Jul 31, 2012

It doesnt matter anyway the break material does not have any ill effects to your beer as it settles at the bottom of the fv.

graysalchemy · Jul 31, 2012

It may even be beneficial providing nutrients for the yeast.

The Goatreich · Jul 31, 2012

I get this too, and I think might be partly why my beers aren't clearing properly. My hop filter isn't brilliant and I have to run the wort into the FV through a sieve, which doubles up as an aerator, but I've been toying with the idea of wrapping the hop filter in muslin to see if I get less crud through the holes.