First time using - Brupaks Isinglass finings

[Waffty]

Hi,

I plan to use some of the above on my POY IPA & having followed the instructions, one teaspoon, 500ml water & mix with blender, I'm not convinced that what I have matches the description on the tub.

That is, after being blended and left for 24hrs my mixture looks like clear water, with 'snow globe' white pieces at the bottom i.e if I give it a shake, it's just like a snow globe & certainly doesn't match the description i.e " smooth homogenous blend".

This is my second mix, as I wasn't sure about the first & both have resulted in the same blend

So is this ok or am I way off the mark ?

Thanks in advance.
Darren.

[Jim]

Dried isinglass is really, really difficult to get into solution properly. It can take 10 minutes in the blender to get anywhere near dissolved.

I find it helps to blend thoroughly then keep shaking it up every hour or so for the rest of the day. Also, a bit of citric acid might help get it into solution (I think it says that on the instructions, but I'm not sure).

[Russ]

No Help to you this time Darren but H&G also sell the pre prepared stuff (or dod?), I've used it in the past and its dead easy to use, just add the required volume to the brew.

[Horden Hillbilly]

I use Beer Brite myself. They are dried, but mix well. Empty the sachet in a half full glass/cup of cold water, give it a good whisk with a fork for 1 minute, leave for 15 mins, then whisk again & it is ready to use.

They also have a long "best by" date on them as well.

[Waffty]

Well it's far to say that I've got as more chance of solving the worlds problems in the area of peace & food than I have of getting these fish bladders to dissolve in "the peoples republic of Dudley's water".

So as a back up, I've resorted to plan b, beer brite from Harris filters, which shouldn't cause too many issues with respect to dissolving in my water, given that Harris are based in Gornal, which in itself falls under the banner of the peoples republic of Dudley .

So the fish bladders will either find themselves in the bin, or I'll try & get some citric acid & then chuck them in the bin

Thanks for you're help, beer brite in, cooling in progress

Darren.

[Waffty]

Dried isinglass is really, really difficult to get into solution properly. It can take 10 minutes in the blender to get anywhere near dissolved.

I find it helps to blend thoroughly then keep shaking it up every hour or so for the rest of the day. Also, a bit of citric acid might help get it into solution (I think it says that on the instructions, but I'm not sure).

Jim,

I see what you mean, will get some citric acid & give it one last go

This is for the paste but you get the drift.

http://www.brupaks.com/isinglass%20paste.htm

Thanks again.
Darren.

[Graham]

What does your isinglass powder look like? Does it look the same as the photo in Daab's thread HERE ?

It can be difficult to make up as that thread will indicate. It can take days to get it into solution.

It is difficult to know exactly what is in these packages. If it is what I think it is, the best bet is to use low alkalinity water, either deionised or treated by boiling for 15 minutes and rack the water off the sediment when settled. Chill the water to about 12 degrees C before mixing.

Mix for a while, then leave to stand for several hours, mix again and stand and so on until it is dissolved.

Keep the temperature of the solution between 12 and 15 degrees C during the whole mixing and standing periods.

[Waffty]

What does your isinglass powder look like? Does it look the same as the photo in Daab's thread HERE ?

It can be difficult to make up as that thread will indicate. It can take days to get it into solution.

It is difficult to know exactly what is in these packages. If it is what I think it is, the best bet is to use low alkalinity water, either deionised or treated by boiling for 15 minutes and rack the water off the sediment when settled. Chill the water to about 12 degrees C before mixing.

Mix for a while, then leave to stand for several hours, mix again and stand and so on until it is dissolved.

Keep the temperature of the solution between 12 and 15 degrees C during the whole mixing and standing periods.

Graham,

Mine is exactly like the bottle on the right. I've had it in the blender for 30+ minutes (on two occations) & all it seems to do is make a big 'head' & when it finally settles down, it's still got the same amount of 'floating' specs as it did before.

The thread is interesting, as I'm sure my water is more alkaline than acid, so I think I'll give it another try with a dose of Citric acid (when I order some) + make sure the water temp is correct, as it's fair to say I haven't monitored this.

So thanks again, I think between you & Jim, I'm on the right track

Darren.