Protafloc tabs - why so big?!

[Ceejay]

Does anyone know why they make protafloc tablets so big? It's safe to say most brewers brew a 5 gal length, which at about 4% means you have to use 1/4 of a tablet. It's very annoying. Why can't they just make them a quarter of the size?

Moan over.

 

[borischarlton]

Because they are designed for breweries not homebrewers. As homebrewers we are in a brilliant situation where we can get hold of pretty much everything that professional breweries use. To put up with having to quarter a tablet every 4th brew doesn't seem to bad, surely?

Rob

 

[Ceejay]

Because they are designed for breweries not homebrewers. As homebrewers we are in a brilliant situation where we can get hold of pretty much everything that professional breweries use. To put up with having to quarter a tablet every 4th brew doesn't seem to bad, surely?

Rob

Hehe! Cheers Rob. I knew there would be a voice of reason. I didn't realise they were a commercial brewery product and as such I will quit my whining and be thankful we can get such decent ingredients :thumb:. Especially when we get them from The Malt Miller :

I think I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning.

 

[PD]

does size matter on a protofloc tablet for a 23 litre brew ? Apart from cost saving. I usually just bung a tablet in...

 

[fatbelly]

does size matter on a protofloc tablet for a 23 litre brew ? Apart from cost saving. I usually just bung a tablet in...

I chuck a whole tablet in, should i be using less?

 

[carl_saint]

I chuck a whole one in too! Never had issues!

 

[BrotherMalice]

Yup, whole thing for me too :)

 

[Springer]

Yup, whole thing for me too :)

Maybe its not to critical then,. :?
I did have a brew where I used a whole tablet and irish moss, that cleared well but had big cauliflower lumps in it, no real problem but the consensus was that I had over done it. :) Beer was fine though
Its not to hard to mark them both sides with a stanley knife, then "cut" them like a pill cutter does.
S

 

[The Goatreich]

I normally put in half for a 5 gallon brew.

Well, when I say half, it's more like 1/3 as the tablet normally explodes whenever I try to cut it and I end up with 2 * 1/3 pieces, and a load of dust.

 

[Ceejay]

I normally put in half for a 5 gallon brew.

Well, when I say half, it's more like 1/3 as the tablet normally explodes whenever I try to cut it and I end up with 2 * 1/3 pieces, and a load of dust.

That's what I was initially musing and getting annoyed about! :rofl:

 

[PD]

quote
Its not to hard to mark them both sides with a stanley knife, then "cut" them like a pill cutter does.

I didn't say it was hard to do. Like a lot of folks I got my original knowledge of home brewing from Craig off Youtube, when he did his initial all grain video...he plonked in a full tablet. No-one has ever told me different.
I have noticed with using a full tablet the proteins form into big " cauliflower " pieces in the wort is that good or bad I've been thinking its good and would settle out better...

 

[Ceejay]

Hehe! You're right. I'll definitely employ the Stanley knife trick.

My initial whinging was only on the assumption that "they" had created a home brewing product that was ill thought out. Turns out it's not a home brewing specific product, so the joke's on me :lol:

 

[Springer]

quote
the proteins form into big " cauliflower " pieces in the wort is that good or bad I've been thinking its good and would settle out better...

This is what I got Pid when I over dosed, they sort of floated, probably didn't leave it long enough to settle cos I paniced but think they dropped as I syphoned. :) :lol:
My readings tell me that if you over do it, (recommendation 1 tablet to 80 litres or so,) the settled stuff is loose and easily disturbed instead of compacting
S

 

[PD]

Yes I get quite a lot of the lumps go through to the FV but they always drop out during fermentation and have never caused me any problem apart from looking unsightly. What " flavours " they may impart into the brew I don't know. Hovever I shall revert to my Yorkshire upbringing and cut tablets in half thereby making them last twice as long...

 

[Springer]

Yes I get quite a lot of the lumps go through to the FV but they always drop out during fermentation and have never caused me any problem apart from looking unsightly. What " flavours " they may impart into the brew I don't know. Hovever I shall revert to my Yorkshire upbringing and cut tablets in half thereby making them last twice as long...

You can't be 100% Yorkshire Pid or you would cut them into three. :lol:
S

 

[PD]

Being a Yorkie does not mean being tight.... thats only if your from Barnsley... Its called being economical..

 

[Dr Mike]

I put a whole one in 5gal as per the instructions.

Are we all talking about the same size tablet (about 8m diameter, 5mm thick - from memory) ?

 

[Springer]

Are we all talking about the same size tablet (about 8m diameter, 5mm thick - from memory) ?

What instuctions are they Doc ?
Thats the size I know, assuming that is a typo. :lol:

S

 

[Dr Mike]

Sticker on the packet I got (from The Home Brew Shop Aldershot) says use 1 in 5 gallons. Having just had a look ay one thery're more like 10mm Dia x 7mm. I did try the 8metre one but it wouldn't fit in my Boiler :lol:

Mine have also gone a couple of months past their expiry date. Does this matter ? My next brew is going to be a golden one so obviously want it to work properly >

 

[Aleman]

According the the instructions I have from Murphys for their protofloc tablets the dosage rate is 1-4g per hectolitre . . . each tablet weights about 2 grams, so you don't need much for a 25L batch . . . . and once you have the cauliflower in the brew you'll never forget it.

There is also a product called whirlfloc going around that I believe has a higher dosage rate, but as I'm still working my way through my 500g of Protofloc I've never had the chance to use it.