Filtration question

[Thirsty Mallard]

To clairify my beer before bottling, I usually rack into a secondary and then put the fermenter in the fridge for a few days.

I am entering my first competition in a few weeks, and I want to have a good clear product, so I just recently splurged and got a filter from B3.

If I am filtering now, do I need to worry about crashing the secondary? Here is the filter I got: http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=16769 if it matters.

[Lufah]

It will help if you crash it first. The more yeast you can get to drop out the less problems you will have with clogged filters.

Travis

[breyton]

I have been using the B3 plate filter for about 6 months now and have found the following process to work well.

1. I transfer my beer from the fermentor to a corny and cold condition around 32F for 2-5 days. This will help settle out a good amount of yeast and lessen the load on the filter.

2. After conditioning, assemble the filter and pads then flush with Starsan. Blow out starsan with CO2 to drive off Starsan and O2. I have only used the Rough filters and have no experience with finer micron rated pads

3. Sanatize second keg. Then empty and purge with CO2

4. Connect C02 to beer keg to be filtered and before connecting to the filter blow out a pint or so of beer into the sink. The first few pints will be loaded with yeast and clog the filter very quickly if not flushed.

5. Connect filter to Keg and run line to secondary keg.

6. Set CO2 to 5-10 psi, open the presure relief valuve on the second keg and let it go. 5 gallons should take about 15-25 minutes to filter.

7. Force carbonate and enjoy.

[Thirsty Mallard]

Wow, thanks Breyton! I was going to just wing it... but glad to have the process more spelled out. Many thanks!

[Thirsty Boy]

What micron level filter do you need to give you nice "bright" beer without going to crazy trying to filter out everything. Does the "rough" filtration do that, or do you need to go with the "polish"

Also, if you are filtering cold, does that take any the chill haze compounds?

[breyton]

The rough pads are rated for approx. 2 microns. This will remove just about all the yeast and leave the beer clear. I cant quite get rid of all my chill haze with the rought, but am hesitant to go finer since I filter APA and IPA and do not want to lose too much of the hop flavor and aroma.

I remember Dr. Scott saying he uses the Polish pad (.7 microns) on his beers, but he is brewing mainly lagers. One day I will give the polish a try, if I were you, I would go with the rough first and see what kind of results you get. That may be good enough.

[Thirsty Boy]

Thanks Breyton,

I haven't got a filter yet, but have been thinking about it. Might start off with the "rough" pads and leave the polishing till I want to enter a pilsner or a kolsch or something into a comp.

Of course, first I should try to refine my brewing technique so I dont get hazy beers in the first place... but I'm pragmatic (or is that lazy) so the filter might well get a go anyway

Thirsty