All Bentonite is not equal... I notice that kits come with a finely
ground form of bentonite called "Quick Bentonite" and it almost
dissolves. I made kit wines (Winexpert and Brewery Lane) using the
bentonite in primary and the wine cleared brilliantly... I skipped
the bentonite in a couple of batches and they did not clear until I
used another fining agent (Super Kleer) on them.

Finely ground Bentonite stirred into primary works very well if you
stir it like mad.



On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 05:57:47 GMT, Adam Preble
> wrote:

>I've been experimenting with using bentonite to clarify. I've been
>trying to add it with the must before pitching the yeast. Adding it as
>it's packaged causes it just to settle to the bottom right away, so I've
>been dissolving it. I will take, say, half a liter of must and mix with
>the bentonite in a 1 liter bottle. I'll shake it until I can't see any
>solids, and nothing quickly settles out between shakes. This will then
>get mixed into the must at large. The problem is it settles out within
>hours.
>
>I've tried various quantities, from 3 teaspoons for a 6 gallon batch to
>3 tablespoons for a 6 gallon batch, and I've run into this every time.
>Is that just the lay of the land? I figured the bentonite would settle
>with the yeast quiet down. I can't imagine it clarifying appropriately
>in primary fermentation.
>
>It could also be possible the tip I got for adding it in primary
>fermentation is crock, and that I should do it in secondary, or at the
>end of primary. Am I using it at the wrong time?
>
>Granted, I shouldn't need bentonite if I age long enough, but I don't
>think I'll be aging appropriately until I have a few closets full of
>wine bottles. Until then, I need faster gratification.