Hey, all...
I've been using a combination of bentonite and sparkalloid as an initial fining method for quite some time. Basically, boil together 2 Tbsps each of bentonite and sparkalloid in about 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, then slowly add and stir to primary. Wait 2 weeks, and rack off the lees. Works like a charm...
I currently have 2 batches that I decided to omit the bentonite and just add sparkalloid. The sparkalloid my local HB shop had was of the cold-mix variety, requiring no initial boiling...just add water and add to primary.
So, after adding the usual 2 tablespoons of sparkalloid to my mead and then stirring slowly, I returned 2 weeks later to find a sparkalloid "floe" on the surface of the mead. Additionaly, the mead was still cloudy as anything, though visible fermentation ended weeks prior.
A few nights ago, I added bentonite, and am waiting for the results right now.
Has anybody else had varying results with hot versus cold-mix sparkalloid as a primary fining agent?
Brian
I've been using a combination of bentonite and sparkalloid as an initial fining method for quite some time. Basically, boil together 2 Tbsps each of bentonite and sparkalloid in about 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, then slowly add and stir to primary. Wait 2 weeks, and rack off the lees. Works like a charm...
I currently have 2 batches that I decided to omit the bentonite and just add sparkalloid. The sparkalloid my local HB shop had was of the cold-mix variety, requiring no initial boiling...just add water and add to primary.
So, after adding the usual 2 tablespoons of sparkalloid to my mead and then stirring slowly, I returned 2 weeks later to find a sparkalloid "floe" on the surface of the mead. Additionaly, the mead was still cloudy as anything, though visible fermentation ended weeks prior.
A few nights ago, I added bentonite, and am waiting for the results right now.
Has anybody else had varying results with hot versus cold-mix sparkalloid as a primary fining agent?
Brian