What is Irish moss and what do you use it for?

[The Englishmans Fox]

Hey everyone,

The Englishman's Fox here again ready to pick all your brains for more quality brewing knowledge. What is Irish moss? I've seen a few videos and some people use it and some don't.

Any help would be great

 

[evanvine]

Irish Moss is basically dried seaweed, and is put in the boiler for the last 15 mins to help clear the wort.
clicky

 

[The Englishmans Fox]

Cheers thanks for the help. Is it worth adding it to your wort then.

 

[graysalchemy]

Yes you add it in the last 15 minutes it coagulates all the proteins which have formed during the boil. :thumb:

 

[anthonyUK]

It is a kettle fining which helps the proteins to flocculate.
Have a search for 'cold break' or have a look at my video from the last brew - http://youtu.be/XDVbAFiyUzc

 

[Rukula]

Does anyone have experience with using the natural "leafy" moss v.s the moss in powder/pill form?

I'm about to buy some, and i will probably get the leafy one. I don't like putting un-natural things into my beer.

 

[anthonyUK]

Does anyone have experience with using the natural "leafy" moss v.s the moss in powder/pill form?

I'm about to buy some, and i will probably get the leafy one. I don't like putting un-natural things into my beer.

What's unnatural about seaweed?
I use this and it works OK but you need to use a little more than the powdered/pill form.

 

[evanvine]

1/2 tablet Protofloc per 5 galls is about the easiest way of using Irish moss.

 

[Moley]

Does anyone have experience with using the natural "leafy" moss v.s the moss in powder/pill form?

I threw most of a pot of Irish moss away after the first time I tried using Protafloc.

No contest.

 

[Rukula]

ah.. ok.

I notice its about 1 tsp in a 5 gallon brew. How would this work in 1 gal?

 

[andybrew]

i always put 3g in all brew sizes but brew are usually betrwween 15-25ltr

couple of grams should do