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Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

I am brewing my first batch of tea right now. I was told that the thing would produce a head of foam, but its really massive. My brewer is a 45 gal drum, which I filled with only about 30 gals of water. I had figured the I could likely brew 35-40 gals with no problems. Last night the head got so big it over flowed the container. Is this normal? I may have overdone the mollasses. I put two cups in 30 gals.

All comments apreciated.

Also, I was planning to brew for about 30 hrs. How do you tell when its done?

John

6/9/2008 11:29:44 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Depends on the recipe.

6/9/2008 12:41:00 PM

Seattle, WA

Foaming can occur in tea. I've heard different theories, most relating to something excreted by worms. Typically it's found in teas that used vermicompost or worm castings.

One thing many people don't realize is that it's not an indicator of a good or bad tea. I've looked at teas under a microscope and seen both good and bad teas with lots of foam.

You can add some vegetable oil to take care of the foam. It won't hurt the tea at all, I'd start with about 1/2 c. and go up from there, but you should see a reduction immediately.

6/9/2008 1:22:57 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

CountyKid,

I have been experimenting with compost tea for 2 seasons, so I am not an expert. However, I see more foam when the weather is warmer. I brew in 5 gallon containers and only use a little molasses (about one teaspoon). You may be using more molasses than you need. Try cutting back on the next batch and see what happens.

Good luck!

Chuck

6/9/2008 2:41:22 PM

southwest MO

At about 70-75F my tea usually starts foaming around the 12 hour mark. If I dont feel like dealing with the mess I add a touch of fish and the oil in it immeadiately takes the foam down. This usually takes care of it till I put it out at about 24 hrs.

6/9/2008 2:52:11 PM

Seattle, WA

When you add the fish though, you're also adding additional foods for the biology. Depending on how much you're providing at the beginning of the brew, this could either be helpful or detrimental to the tea. It will have some impact though, to be sure.

6/9/2008 10:12:20 PM

southwest MO

The addition is only an ounce or so on 20 gallon. After building up a stout tea for 12 hours I imagine that ounce of fish is like rocket fuel. I have a Gast blower easily doing 10 cfm. D.O. is not a problem.

6/10/2008 9:20:06 AM

Seattle, WA

Sounds good!

6/10/2008 1:08:02 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

I went to get calcium nitrate and was sold nitros oxide instead, please let me know if you see my plant.

6/17/2008 12:43:55 AM