foam control - boil

[barleydog]

I have never used foam control other than my starters but I thought this next brew, next Saturday, I would give it a shot. I have read two drops per gallon so I am looking at about 28 drops in the brew kettle. Will this also make it into my fermenter or will it all drop out during the chill? I have never added it to my fermenter either. Do you add 2 drops per gallon there too or if it was in my kettle am I all set in the carboy too?

Thanks!

[Whitebeard_Brewer]

I have used it in the boil before.....but no where near 28 drops.....more like 5-8 or so is what I used in a 13-14 gallon boil....and worked like a charm....and no, it did not carry over to the fermenter.

[Hopsecutioner]

I use is on a regular basis in my boil at the rate of 2 drops per gallon also.. It works great! The only time I use it in the fermenter is when I am doing a beer with a lot of wheat, it helps tremendously.. I use the same rate after oxidation, while I am giving the yeast a good mix. Hope this helps.. If you have suspicion, add it.. I hear the only thing it adds to the beer is bitterness, but nothing noticeable in my beers at the rate I use it.

Cheers!

[beerocracy]

I've always heard 1 drop per gallon and that amount works great for me. I believe it all precipitates out in the boil. I have added it to the fermenter too if it's a particularly active fermentation and the krausen is getting close to the airlock.

[barleydog]

Thanks for the info. I think I will start with 1 drop per gallon in the boil and add more if I need it. I will also try one drop per gallon in the fermenter and just add more if I need it. I crash all of my beers to 30 deg F after the ferment so that should drop all of the foam control out of the beer. Kind of like Frost Brewing.

[beerocracy]

The effect is almost instantaneous in the boil so you should be able to experiment on how much you need. I remember one time I was a little late putting it in and the foam was all the way to the top of my kettle. It started collapsing on the very first drop I added.

[Hopsecutioner]

Marbles or stainless steel bearing work well in boils too.. put them in while heating up though, if you put them in too late it will reverse the desired effect and spew everywhere.. yes.. i said it.. spew everywhere..