When do I add Isenglass?

[WelshPaul]

I've bought a small tub of the stuff but it doesn't say at which point to add it. Do I add it at the boil stage like Irish Moss or when racking to secondary?

 

[robsan77]

Rack to secondary, leave for 24 hours and keg/ bottle. That will pull out most yeast but should leave enough for conditioning (as long as you don't use too much)

 

[WelshPaul]

Rack to secondary, leave for 24 hours and keg/ bottle. That will pull out most yeast but should leave enough for conditioning (as long as you don't use too much)

So add the Isenglass when I rack the beer to the secondary FV?

 

[robsan77]

Put the isenglass in the secondary vessel first, then fill with beer.

 

[WelshPaul]

That makes sense, thanks. :thumb:

 

[oldjiver]

Do you have the dried or gell? The dried takes a lot of effort to get into suspension. If you add it lumpy it stays lumpy and wont work. Also make sure it doesnt get over 25 deg centigrade or it will "go slack" and wont work as well. I keep mine in the fridge and make up a batch of dried a week before I need it.

 

[WelshPaul]

Yes, I have the dried stuff but seeing as there's no chance of it reaching 25°C around here, it should be OK.

 

[oldjiver]

With the dried isinglass I dont follow the instructions, but, put 1 heaped teaspoonful into 1/2 pint of cooled boiled water and whizz with a stick blender. Then pour it into a sterilized jar with 1/4 campden tablet and leave for 2 days. Then whizz it again,and add 2 teaspoons of the gell to 5 gallons of beer. It keeps for a month or more.

 

[WelshPaul]

Excellent, thanks. I need to buy a hand blender today anyway to make some cocktails for SWMBO!

 

[theboytony]

With the dried isinglass I dont follow the instructions, but, put 1 heaped teaspoonful into 1/2 pint of cooled boiled water and whizz with a stick blender. Then pour it into a sterilized jar with 1/4 campden tablet and leave for 2 days. Then whizz it again,and add 2 teaspoons of the gell to 5 gallons of beer. It keeps for a month or more.

Out of interest why don't you follow the instructions

 

[oldjiver]

With the dried isinglass I dont follow the instructions, but, put 1 heaped teaspoonful into 1/2 pint of cooled boiled water and whizz with a stick blender. Then pour it into a sterilized jar with 1/4 campden tablet and leave for 2 days. Then whizz it again,and add 2 teaspoons of the gell to 5 gallons of beer. It keeps for a month or more.

Out of interest why don't you follow the instructions

Because the instructions make a much thinner solution unlike the ready made stuff you can buy. I have tried it and it didnt work. I suppose if you have a laboratory you could get it right, but I have found that making it up to look like the stuff you buy ready made works better.

 

[WelshPaul]

I tried it and could not get it to work. It stinks the kitchen out too so I just gave up on it. I'll stick to gelatine, I think!

 

[oldjiver]

Dead fish or dead horse,both vile but convenient

 

[robsan77]

Dead fish or dead horse,both vile but convenient

Sounds like one of the recent headlines.

 

[oldjiver]

Dead fish or dead horse,both vile but convenient

Sounds like one of the recent headlines.

Yeah! Just stir in a beefburger :rofl:

 

[Andyhull]

If you rack onto it into a secondary and leave for 24hrs then i assume you cant batch prime or you'd have to rack into a 3rd FV?

 

[LeithR]

Interesting how this thread evolved. I've heard it said that in the old days farmers in the west country used to put a dead rat into their cider to clear it, so you are not too far off the mark.

It seems that Isinglass is made out of the swim bladders of fish so its a bi-product from the animal kingdom.

 

[oldjiver]

If you rack onto it into a secondary and leave for 24hrs then i assume you cant batch prime or you'd have to rack into a 3rd FV?[/quote
No I dont rack into a secondary most of the time. I ferment to finish in an airtight bin and reseal after adding finings for 1 day then rack to batch prime. 90% of the yeast has fallen out leaving just enough to give a secondary fermentation.

 

[theboytony]

Don't think i mixed mine properly, it has cleared the beer great but also left what looks like un mixed isinglass floating on top :cry:

 

[Andyhull]

If you rack onto it into a secondary and leave for 24hrs then i assume you cant batch prime or you'd have to rack into a 3rd FV?[/quote
No I dont rack into a secondary most of the time. I ferment to finish in an airtight bin and reseal after adding finings for 1 day then rack to batch prime. 90% of the yeast has fallen out leaving just enough to give a secondary fermentation.

So how do you mix it in fully without disturbing the trub?