Straining FAA
My mackerel FAA is too thick. I can't strain it. Can I mix it with water to make it liquid again and strain.
I would then adjust the dilution accordingly while I am using it.
Top answer
I don't recommend mixing it with water and then storing it. A possible solution is to mix a bit of alcohol in there and then later leave it open so it will evaporate off. Would have to use some high proof alcohol though.
Another solution is to just treat it as a solid and use a fine mesh or bubble bag and kind of massage it into the water you will be using it with.
I have witnessed this before happening to other people, but never had it happen with any batches I have made. Perhaps it is because I keep it fermenting in a sealed container where there is not much chance for evaporation?
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
·
Sep 2026
·
5 sources
Here is what the library adds to Drake's reply.
The library speaks to plant juice, not FAA: leave it thick, because adding water activates and rots it. (Office Hours Ep. 47, 47:03) Dilute when you use it. The library says FAA is used after it is diluted with water. (Cho, Recipe, p. 51)
For the next batch:
- Use a container with a spigot on the bottom for easy pour off. (KNF Demystified, p. 39)
- Pour off the liquid and let the rest keep fermenting. (Office Hours Ep. 19, 41:46)
- Extract the FAA and use only the liquid. (Cho, Recipe, p. 50)
The library does not say why a batch turns thick or how to thin one.
Sources
- 47:03 Office Hours Ep. 47 (Sep 2022) — LAB for Laundry, Mulching to Stop Evaporation, Coconut Sprouting · “adding water activates and rots it”
- 41:46 Office Hours Ep. 19 (Feb 2022) — Powdered Milk LAB, FAA Storage, and Bokashi Balls for Ponds · “pour off the liquid and let the rest keep fermenting”
- p. 51 Cho, Recipe · “FAA is used after it is diluted with water.”
- p. 50 Cho, Recipe · “Extract the FAA and use only the liquid.”
- p. 39 KNF Demystified · “Add fish or meaty waste to a container with a spigot on the bottom for easy pour off”
1 more answer
Thanks Bro, much appreciated.
wSo would you recommend to seal the container after the initial 7 days or so?
Also discussed on Office Hours
Know the answer? Members answer, ask, and get their questions onto the Sunday show.
Sign in Become a member