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  • 1.  Kettle Anti foam

    Posted 10-23-2023 13:58
    Kettle Anit foam-

    What is everyone using? How are you dispensing from containers 5gals and up? Trying to keep it simple and clean.

    Thanks
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    Ben Cichanowicz
    Assistant Brewing Manager/ Logistics Specialist
    Maine Beer Company
    740-501-2752







  • 2.  RE: Kettle Anti foam

    Posted 10-23-2023 21:43

    I am now using Birko Antifoam 10, but have previous experience with Fermcap S.  I find that Birko Antifoam 10 requires less (around 15mL/BBL, just before boil, usually around 205-207ºF) to reduce boil over than Fermcap S did.  This was on two different kettles though, so may have been due to other factors.  This volume does need to be adjusted depending on the brand being brewed, and sometimes i find i need to add another 7-15mL/bbl, later into the boil, usually in beers with large kettle hop additions. I haven't seen any negative effects to foam stability with the Birko product.



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    Kyle McKenzie
    Head of Brewing
    Terra Nova Beer Co
    Asheville NC
    (828) 458-4400
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Kettle Anti foam

    Posted 10-24-2023 13:25

    Kyle,

    I have been using a product from Birko called Patco 376.  As far as I understood this was a good product for those of us who are not filtering due to not using silicates.  It is effective, but I'm pretty small at 3BBL's so I just pour from a 1 gal container. 

    Dave



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    David Woolever
    Head Brewer/Partner
    Railhead Brewing Co
    Hornell NY
    WNY Chapter Member
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Kettle Anti foam

    Posted 01-04-2024 17:06

    The antifoam you utilize should be selected based on if you are filtering your finished product or not. Typically, you see three categories of antifoam - Silicone Based, Hop Based, or Oil Based. If you use a silicone based antifoam you need to make sure you are filtering your product for TWO reasons… One, there is a rule entitled 21 CFR 173.340 about the amount of dimethylpolysiloxane that can be carried into product and two, silicone based antifoam will disrupt your final head if left in product. The best person I know of to talk shop on antifoam with is Dana Johnson at Diversy. For unfiltered products we have used Patco 376 or HopAid. FermCap S cannot be used in unfiltered products as its silicone based, additionally it is made with sulfites so you should not use in Canada if your product is exceeding 10 ppm due to new regulations. A new product called FermCap Eco is out that does not contain sulfites and is not silicone based… I do not have much experience with this yet, but am in the process of working with it. 



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    Halley Moore
    Sr. Staff Brewer: Technical Training & Development
    Molson Coors North America
    Milwaukee WI
    (414) 931-2120
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    Original Message


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