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PicoZinc™ is a bare essential zinc nutrient capsule designed for use in homebrew size batches of beer. One capsule will provide approximately 0.15 ppm of Zinc in a 5 gallon batch of beer wort. Research has shown that zinc and oxygen are the primary nutrients lacking in all-malt beer wort, but both are necessary for successful yeast growth and fermentation. Oxygen is provided by the brewer at the time of yeast pitching. Zinc must also be provided by the brewer. For the homebrewer, PicoZinc™ provides a simple and effective solution.
The optimal amount of zinc, from the yeast's perspective, is in the range of 0.1 – 0.5 ppm (parts per million). This is a very small amount to measure for a 5 gallon batch of beer. It is not recommended to measure Zinc powders for direct additions on the homebrew scale---accuracy at this weight would be impossible with household kitchen equipment. Our PicoZinc™ capsules have been measured and mixed carefully and thoroughly to provide an optimal 0.15 ppm of Zinc when added directly to the fermenter with the yeast.
Why Zinc is Necessary
Recommended Method of Addition
Zinc is lost in significant amounts in the kettle boil and during trub removal---the cleaner your technique of wort preparation, the more likely you are removing zinc from your wort. Add PicoZinc™ by carefully opening one capsule and adding the powdered contents to a small amount of unchlorinated water, approximately ¼ cup, and boiling for two minutes. DO NOT ADD THE GELATIN CAPSULE ITSELF TO THE BOIL. Add directly to the starter or to the fermenter at the time oxygenation and yeast pitching.
ADDING TO THE BOIL: This is not our recommendation, but if you choose to add your PicoZinc™ to the kettle, use two capsules rather than one. This will double the rate of Zinc in your wort to 0.3 ppm and compensate for Zinc lost in the boil and to the trub. Note that zinc tends to bind with proteins and other compounds which are present in the kettle. If it binds in the kettle, it will not be available for yeast assimilation in the fermenter.
We are not happy unless you are. To ensure your satisfaction, we offer our guarantee backed by our promise of a full store-credit refund on any unsatisfactory product or delivery---no need to ship anything back. Simply email us at info@thebeveragepeople.com if the need to claim this guarantee should arise.
The Beverage People Warehouse, Santa Rosa.
Fulfillment occurs Tues-Fri, 10AM-5:30PM, and Sat, 10AM-3PM. We aim to fulfill orders in 2 hours or less, whenever possible.
How to Return Goods for Refund
All our supplies are guaranteed for one year. Request for refunds occurring more than 30 days after the date of purchase on non-defective goods may be granted as a store credit if the goods are returned in their original condition. Yeast is perishable and should be refrigerated on arrival. No refunds are allowed on sales of living organisms such as yeast and bacteria.
