Added whirfloc late

[Dead Guy]

I just used whirfloc for the first time and think that i added it to late to my boil. There was only five minutes left. Does anybody know if this might affect my beer?

[Avalon]

5 mins before the end is the correct time to add it. Any longer than a 5 minute boil denatures the stuff.

[brewmaster808]

Avalon, thanks. Thought you were wrong on the 5 minutes and turn out you are very correct. Found this post on HB that fit well with this post.

I did actually hunt down the specialist at the manufacturer of Whirlfloc. The company that makes Whirlfloc tablets is Quest International in Ireland and the contact was Liam Holog? Anyway I learned several interesting things from this very friendly, knowledgeable and interesting man (he even wanted to idle talk for quite some time):

1. Whirlfoc is refined kappa carrageenan with some talcs to help in tabulation.

2. pre-hydrating whirlfloc does nothing at all to increase effectiveness. In fact it's not even water soluable at lower temperatures so all you'd be doing is getting it wet.

3. most interesting: do NOT add whirlfloc any earlier than 10 minutes before end of boil. It acts immediately and at most only really needs 5 minutes in the boil. If you add it earlier you will denature the carrageenan (not quite sure what that means - anyone?).

4. The manufacturer recently has done some google searching and was surprised that it has become so popular amongst homebrewers. Their target is large breweries and they only sell it through large distribution chains so wasn't aware it was going out to LHBS suppliers in the current volume.

5. if you are adding any more than one tablet for 5 gallon batch, don't bother. One tablet is 2.5 times the dosage they recommend. For record: one tablet is 2.5 grams. They recommend 5 grams per hectoliter (2 tablets to about 25 gallons).

[moose]

nice find brewmaster808, I've been adding mine too early for sure, sometimes 15 minutes boil left.

Also, the directions on the little baggie state " one tablet per 5 gallon batch ", here I've been adding 2 per 10 gal, calculated out is to a big friggn' waste.

live and learn

[BaltimoreBrewer]

In regards to Irish moss, what are the disadvantages to adding at 15 min to end of boil? Also, I have been told rehydrating Irish moss is good, because it helps to break it down. Also, whatb can be said about Yeast Nutrients. I use both from LD Carlson.

[GOOMBA!]

I had a beer that I'm bottling this week where I forgot to add the tablet until after the boil was over, just stirred it in. This has been somewhat encouraging and very educational. the company I used to get kits from had last 15 min on the instruction sheet. Sometimes I did it the last 20 ( for good measure ) thanks for the post.

[Avalon]

In regards to Irish moss, what are the disadvantages to adding at 15 min to end of boil? Also, I have been told rehydrating Irish moss is good, because it helps to break it down. Also, whatb can be said about Yeast Nutrients. I use both from LD Carlson.

Whirfloc is basically Irish Moss in tablet form, so I imagine the same issues apply.

[CorpulentCoder]

DOH!!
I'm glad I stumbled on this thread. Used Whirlfloc for the first time this past weekend and added it...40minutes into the boil. I just treated it like I would my irish moss. Oh well...live and learn I suppose.

[BaltimoreBrewer]

Whirfloc is basically Irish Moss in tablet form, so I imagine the same issues apply.

Hmmmm....still seems odd to me that those who sell the product would instruct the buyer to use the item incorrectly. All the bottles I have gotten specifically say add during the last 15 minutes of boil. Why would they want their product misused? Or do they simply not understand their own market? If adding it at 15 minutes renders it useless it would be like having Levis instruct people to wear their jeans on their heads.