Clarification of vegetable consommé

[JuliaBalbilla]

I read (Heston) that clarification using egg whites was the only way to clear a vegetable consommé because it doesn't contain any gelatine.  I am not sure that I agree, in fact I don't.  The photo below is of some veg stock I usually make and I have always ice-filtered it before.  It looks lovely and clear to me.  I tried the egg version today and whilst it did clear the stock in the pan, removing the egg white was a pain as bits of it disintergrated whilst I was doing it and even filtering through 4 layers of cheesecloth left bits floating around.  A lot of the egg had also stuck to the bottom of the (non-stick) pan.

My question is that has anyone else had this problem with egg white clarification?  Also  I am unsure why ice-filtering works for me, yet it is not supposed to  

Thanks
JB

[Cornish Cream]

Many years ago when I did the City and Guilds Advanced cookery course we clarified consommé using egg whites (plus shells) and strained it through a cloth that looked like a "felt hat" to catch the bits.For the life of me I can't remember what that "felt hat"was called Your consommé looks just beautiful and clear JB so I would keep on doing what works for you.Hopefully Andie can help with your question

[JuliaBalbilla]

Thank you CC, I think I will stick to ice-filtering, but want to perfect the egg method just for the sake of it, I suppose.  I wonder if J-Cloths would be a good substitute for your felt hat?  They seem to have a closer texture than cheese cloth and are a bit felty I think 

JB

[Cornish Cream]

Thank you CC, I think I will stick to ice-filtering, but want to perfect the egg method just for the sake of it, I suppose.  I wonder if J-Cloths would be a good substitute for your felt hat?  They seem to have a closer texture than cheese cloth and are a bit felty I think 

JB

A J-cloth is a good idea  What about using coffee filters

[Cuilidh]

Isn't a j-cloth a bit too open - unless you use lots of layers?  The coffee filter sounds like it could work.

PS  j-cloths are chux cloths in Australia

[JuliaBalbilla]

I was just thinking of the feltiness that CC mentioned when she did her C & G and probably would use several layers.  And thanks, Cuilidh for clarifying what a a clux cloth is, as I did wonder when I saw it in the post where you mentioned jelly bags.  I like the coffee filter idea as well, so will give both methods a try. Thank you both 

JB