Protofloc

[Neil1454]

Hi

Are Protofloc tables generally a good clearing agent?
I've seen someone have a right ball ache on YouTube where he thought he had an infection as all his beer brews tasted off.
Turned out it was due to the Protofloc tablets.
I'm currently looking at what best beer clearing options there. Since the bible uses Protofloc that's what I was going to go with but just thought I'd ask if they are known for giving problems ?

Thanks

 

[Clint]

The only problem I had with them is when I didn't have any and I thought I did....

 

[britton]

Never tried a Protofloc table...
You can get protofloc in power form which is what I use. Having done a brew recently and forgot to use the protofloc, I can confirm they do make a difference as the brew has turned out hazy even after using a clearing agent.

 

[ITMA]

Do you have a link to that video? Sounds very iffy to me, did he have concrete evidence it was due to the tablet or is he doing a cargo cult ritual?

 

[MickDundee]

Never had any issues. If you use too much you end up with a shitload of protein floating about in the FV but it settles out eventually.

It was cold crashing that has made a major difference to the clarity of my beers, although protofloc certainly helps.

 

[Clint]

How much do people use? I've always just threw a tablet in 23l batch 15 minutes from the end of the boil..

 

[JonBrew]

I brew 15 litre batches and use 1 tablet per batch - bit more that the recommend dosage rate but havent noticed any ill effects. I switched to protofloc recently after years of using irish moss and I'm really pleased with the results so far. One thing I have noticed is that despite not changing my wort chilling methods, since using protofloc, I seem to get far less cold break formation in the wort. No idea why this is though. Possibly the protofloc doing a better job of keeping all that stuff together? Who knows. Good stuff though.

 

[MickDundee]

How much do people use? I've always just threw a tablet in 23l batch 15 minutes from the end of the boil..

I usually try to split the tablet on half, but about a third of the time I can’t be arsed and just chuck a whole tablet in.

 

[mickthetrick]

i use a half for 20 litres or so 15 mins to from end of boil and its seems spot on.

 

[The Baron]

Do you have a link to that video? Sounds very iffy to me, did he have concrete evidence it was due to the tablet or is he doing a cargo cult ritual?

I think Ive seen the Video's referred to and I think it was a bit of guess work without absolute proof that it was the tablets (the brewer thought the tablets had gone off if that is possible). I have never heard of anybody else ever having problems with using protfloc/whirlfloc tablets as long as you do not use too much. I use half a tablet in a standard 23ltr brew and it works a treat

 

[-Bezza-]

Given they go in for the last 15 mins of a boil, I'd be hard pressed to understand how they introduced an infection. Perhaps he used too much - half a tablet for a 23l brew has been plenty for me.

 

[Mavroz]

Ok, i will add a question here, what is the difference between Protafloc tablets, Whirlfloc, Irish Moss please?
Are they all equally as good? I use Protafloc.

 

[Neil1454]

I don't think he 100% knew. But certainly from what he was saying seemed it could be something to do with them.
Just wanted to ask here as I was going to get some.

Here is the video


This link is where he starts mentioning Protafloc...

h**ps://youtu.be/K40QF4lUnwU?t=454

 

[simon12]

Ok, i will add a question here, what is the difference between Protafloc tablets, Whirlfloc, Irish Moss please?
Are they all equally as good? I use Protafloc.

In my experience they all do the same and very small doses work as well as larger doses and to much results in big floating clumps at the top of the fermenter though they do no harm.

 

[ITMA]

I don't think he 100% knew.

I don't think he even 5% knows the cause. Protofloc tablets would be a very long way down my list of suspects. Hope his day job isn't in the CID.

 

[CliffC]

I have been using White Labs Clarity Ferm for my light coloured beers if I want them to be as clear as commercial examples and have been getting excellent results. Added to fermentor when you pitch the yeast.

 

[MyQul]

How much do people use? I've always just threw a tablet in 23l batch 15 minutes from the end of the boil..

To minimise waste I bough a load off ebay and ground them up using spoons and put the protfloc 'power' n a centrifuge tube. I then measure out 1/8 of a teaspoon per 5L using some cooking measuring spoons I got from the supermaket. A few tabs lasts me ages doing this

 

[cheshirehomebrew]

I use quick clear for my beer never used a protfloc or whirlfloc tablet

 

[Covrich]

Always dump one in per 23l batch

half for a 10l although I think I have done a full one from time to time with no ill effects..

I cannot understand how it can cause infection, I think they must be looking in the wrong places

 

[Clint]

On Saturday I used just half...there must have only been half inch of trub in the fv...