and followed the link's and searched out as much information as I can get, online, inforums and at the LHBS talking with people, I still have some questions.
I have a couple of meads I need to bottle in the next month or so. At the speed things are happening on there own this is not going to happen. I've looked into filtering and feel it would do more harm then good in this case, which leaves fining. From what I've read and been told this also effects the final product (though hopefully not as much as filtering) this is what makes me question the instructions for use.
Bentonite;
Mix 1 - 6 gr. per gallon of mead into 1 quart of boiling water until creamy, let sit 24 hours to hydrate, use the smallest amount needed. Add 1/2 cup of solution for every gallon.
Whats the smallest amount needed? and how is 3 gr. of bentonite in a quart of water ever getting creamy.
Bentonite leaves very fine lees which are hard to rack off of.
I've read sparkolloid forms compact lees and with compress other sediment. Does this make a case for using it after bentonite to make racking the clear mead less troublesome?
If so, would it be best to wait until the bentonite has settled out of suspension to cook and add the sparkolloid?
Will mixing sparkolloid in stir the bentonite back into suspension?
Anthony
I have a couple of meads I need to bottle in the next month or so. At the speed things are happening on there own this is not going to happen. I've looked into filtering and feel it would do more harm then good in this case, which leaves fining. From what I've read and been told this also effects the final product (though hopefully not as much as filtering) this is what makes me question the instructions for use.
Bentonite;
Mix 1 - 6 gr. per gallon of mead into 1 quart of boiling water until creamy, let sit 24 hours to hydrate, use the smallest amount needed. Add 1/2 cup of solution for every gallon.
Whats the smallest amount needed? and how is 3 gr. of bentonite in a quart of water ever getting creamy.
Bentonite leaves very fine lees which are hard to rack off of.
I've read sparkolloid forms compact lees and with compress other sediment. Does this make a case for using it after bentonite to make racking the clear mead less troublesome?
If so, would it be best to wait until the bentonite has settled out of suspension to cook and add the sparkolloid?
Will mixing sparkolloid in stir the bentonite back into suspension?
Anthony