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What type of DE do you use?

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  • What type of DE do you use?

    I have a DE filter and I want a course filtration as not to strip the beer's flavor too much. Any suggestions on types, brands, and distributors?

  • #2
    FW-6 from Univar. About 40$ a bag.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by schmogger
      I have a DE filter and I want a course filtration as not to strip the beer's flavor too much. Any suggestions on types, brands, and distributors?
      Perlite Grade 27. DE is evil.
      Cheers!
      David R. Pierce

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      • #4
        We use Hyflow DE from Univar. Why is DE evil? We found Perlite did not work very well at all.

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        • #5
          I like Silkleer 23-S perlite, available from Cargill and probably some other people as well. Makes nice clear beer but doesn't seem to remove much besides yeast. 27-M also works but I've noticed some flavor stripping with it.

          DE will allow you to filter more beer before breaking down, but that may not be relevant in a small brewery, where you probably run out of beer to filter before you run out of filter capacity anyway.

          I prefer perlite over DE for its safety, light weight, and easier cleanup. Also you don't have to worry about the iron content of perlite.

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          • #6
            See For a full discourse. It's an oldy but goody.
            Cheers!
            David R. Pierce

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            • #7
              Iron?

              We had been getting bleed thru, so we started pre-coating with celulose until it's all in, then 2/3 512 and 1/3 poly to finish the pre-coat. If 512 is OK for iron, what isn't?

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              • #8
                Iron in DE

                Wash your DE with a little citric acid and it'll bring your iron content way down (I put it in the precoat water which we blow out). 512Z is good...but ask your supplier for total BSI numbers to get an idea.

                I've said it 100 times and I'll say it again here for good measrue. Perlite is JUST as bad for you to huff as DE. Inhale enough of either and you'll have problems. Don't discount DE just because of someone's dogmatic approach to the job.
                Larry Horwitz

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                • #9
                  Trying to clear the air with (from) filter aids.

                  Larry, I don't intentionally want to disagree with you. I too thought that both were equally bad. From what I've read, this may not be the case.

                  According to Sil-Kleer, they claim that perlite IS safer than DE due to reduced silica content. Their MSDS states that although there are acute respiratory irritant issues, there are NO known chronic issues and NO carcinogenicity issues. The HMIS rating is zero (no significant risk to health) and recommends only a nuisance dust mask, and NFPA rating for health is zero (insignificant). http://www.silbrico.com/

                  Contrast that with Celite. Their MSDS shows NFPA rating for health is 2 (moderate), and chronic exposure can cause silicosis and lung cancer. The Saf-T-data (whatever that is) rating for health is 4 (extreme-cancer causing). Lots of exposure controls and cancer warnings here. http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/c1628.htm

                  That being said, I say READ the MSDS for every product you use and follow them to the letter. Error on the side of caution. Know what you're doing.

                  Also, Sil-Kleer's typical analysis includes 0.9% iron oxide in their product! Seems very high. Is it, or can it be soluble with normal filtration? Will citric clean this out?
                  Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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                  • #10
                    mask up

                    they still tell you to wear a mask....there is a reason. While it may not be rated as carconigenic, dust in your lungs is still dust in your lungs. Folks seem to think they don't need to wear a mask when working with perlite. As you can see that is not the case.

                    thanks!
                    Larry Horwitz

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Larry Horwitz
                      I've said it 100 times and I'll say it again here for good measrue. Perlite is JUST as bad for you to huff as DE. Inhale enough of either and you'll have problems. Don't discount DE just because of someone's dogmatic approach to the job.
                      And you said it in the thread I linked above, no one is disputing your point I agree, always wear a mask.

                      I switched to Perlite from DE originally because my local supplier would not stock it for me anymore, but kindly offered to sell full pallets. I get Silkleer 27M top loaded on my malt and can order bag at a time if I want.
                      Cheers!
                      David R. Pierce

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                      • #12
                        Nearly 1% rust in my perlite? Anyone care to comment on the taste after filtering a light beer where it might taste a bit like iron?
                        Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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                        • #13
                          First of all DE filtration does not strip flavor unless your talking about yeast flavor, which in many beer styles should be removed.

                          Secondly I filtered with DE for many years until perlite came on the scene. I now use perlite only. Myself and other brewers I've talked to definitely find that it imparts less flavor to the beer (iron flavor in particular) and it leaves you with a "cleaner" tasting beer.

                          If you still want to use DE, I usually used 512 for my precoat and hi-flow for the main feed.

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                          • #14
                            perlite suppliers

                            In rhode Island, anyone recommend a local perlite spplier? I will call perlite in
                            the meantime!

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                            • #15
                              I think I used to order it from North Country Malt . Or try BSG?
                              ________________
                              Matthew Steinberg
                              Co-Founder
                              Exhibit 'A' Brewing Co.
                              Framingham, MA USA

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