31 replies to this topic

[Bklmt2000]

Bought some Whirlfloc a couple of weeks back; sprung for a 1# bag, it was on sale at LP) but didn't realize just how many tablets are in a pound.

 

The bag says it contains ~182 tablets, each of which is good for 10 gallons.  I brew 5 gallon batches, so naturally, I did some quick math.

 

182 tablets/0.5 tablets per batch means I have enough for 364 batches.  If I brew every 2 weeks, and use 0.5 tablets each time, I have enough Whirlfloc to last me for the next 14 years (182 tablets / 0.5 tablets per batch / 26 batches per year).

 

Methinks I need to break out the ol' FoodSaver and try to preserve this stuff. 

[djinkc]

Wrong approach - brew more 

[Bklmt2000]

Wrong approach - brew more 

I'll do my level best.  So long as my liver holds out.

[Bklmt2000]

Just got it all vac-sealed.  Had 190 tablets total, so the 8 leftovers will be used first, starting the first week in January 2020.

[Big Nake]

Sell Ken some Whirfloc.    Btw, I just drop one tablet into 5 gallons.  

[Bklmt2000]

Sell Ken some Whirfloc.    Btw, I just drop one tablet into 5 gallons.  

Sell?  Hell, for the cost of shipping, you can have half.  You can will it to your kids if it lasts that long.

[Big Nake]

Sell?  Hell, for the cost of shipping, you can have half.  You can will it to your kids if it lasts that long.

I, Ken, being of sound mind and body do willfully... 

[denny]

Sell Ken some Whirfloc.    Btw, I just drop one tablet into 5 gallons.  

1 tab is for 12 gal.

[MyaCullen]

1 tab is for 12 gal.

I kinda wonder if too much could contribute to his clarity issues.

Edited by miccullen, 29 December 2019 - 12:36 PM.

[HVB]

I kinda wonder if too much could contribute to his clarity issues.

I have always used one for 6g and never had an issue I could attribute to it.

[denny]

I have always used one for 6g and never had an issue I could attribute to it.

The only possible issue would be lack of head or body, but I think you'd have to way overdose for that to happen.  Other than that, it's only money!

[jayb151]

I've also always just done one tab per batch. If it's 5 gals, it gets one tab. If it's 10 gals, it gets one tab. 

 

I am out right now though.

[Poptop]

I drop a whole tab.

[Big Nake]

I drop a whole tab.

Yeah, me too.  AFAIK, I have never had clarity issues from using a whole tab in 5 gallons.  Or... I have made a lot of really clear beer with 1 tab in five gallons.  I think I pay $1.69 for 10 tabs so it's cheap stuff.  

[Bklmt2000]

Anyone know how long this stuff stays good, if vac-sealed away from oxygen? 

 

I've got far more on my hands than I can possibly use in the next few years, and if it won't stay good until I can use it all up, I'm willing to give some away.

 

I have 7 food-saver bags of 26 tablets, which would be enough for 26-52 5 gal batches, or 13-26 10-gal batches.

[HVB]

Anyone know how long this stuff stays good, if vac-sealed away from oxygen? 

 

I've got far more on my hands than I can possibly use in the next few years, and if it won't stay good until I can use it all up, I'm willing to give some away.

 

I have 7 food-saver bags of 26 tablets, which would be enough for 26-52 5 gal batches, or 13-26 10-gal batches.

I just keep the tabs in a sealed mason jar and have done so with no issues for years.

[Big Nake]

It seems stable to me and I would guess that a vac-sealed bag would be solid for a long, long time.  That said, send Ken some Whirfloc.  You can't possibly use all of that, you Whirfloc hoarder. 

[Stout_fan]

I use a pill splitter and put half a tablet in for 6 gal batches. When brewing using my keggles, I do the whole tab. When I drop a whole tablet into a 6 gal batch, I get more trub and I think a slight seaweed taste. But that all could be by suggestion. Although I haven't noticed any a difference in head retention or body, Denny is most likely correct on those points. I remember a BN podcast where JP threw in the powder remaining in a bag of Whirlfloc. IIRC he said it was easily 10 tablets worth. The seaweed taste in the beer was overpowering. If you have plenty of Whirlfloc and don't see any consequences, I don't see a reason to bother cutting a tablet in half. Go for it.

[Big Nake]

I use a pill splitter and put half a tablet in for 6 gal batches. When brewing using my keggles, I do the whole tab. When I drop a whole tablet into a 6 gal batch, I get more trub and I think a slight seaweed taste. But that all could be by suggestion. Although I haven't noticed any a difference in head retention or body, Denny is most likely correct on those points. I remember a BN podcast where JP threw in the powder remaining in a bag of Whirlfloc. IIRC he said it was easily 10 tablets worth. The seaweed taste in the beer was overpowering. If you have plenty of Whirlfloc and don't see any consequences, I don't see a reason to bother cutting a tablet in half. Go for it.

Trust me, if I tasted seaweed in my beer I would be making adjustments.    I make a lot of light styles and have never, ever tasted "whirfloc" in the beer, thank Jeebus.  

[HVB]

 I remember a BN podcast where JP threw in the powder remaining in a bag of Whirlfloc. IIRC he said it was easily 10 tablets worth. The seaweed taste in the beer was overpowering. If you have plenty of Whirlfloc and don't see any consequences, I don't see a reason to bother cutting a tablet in half. Go for it.

99.3% Sure that was the Rouge Shakespeare Stout one.  He said it made a weird jello like consistency where it spilled out.