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Unlike other gelling agents, methylcellulose thickens as it is heated, rather than as it cools. As the gel cools, it “melts.” Additionally, methylcelluose can be used to stabilize foams and whipped preparations. Dow Chemical sells the compound, created from modified plant cellulose, in many different concentrations under the trade name Methocel; Alinea prefers Methocel F50.
Methocel actually has a relatively systematic naming system. According to Dow literature there are four basic terms in the product name:
E.G. Methocel F50 FG (Dow Brand)
Product Name: "Methocel" - refers to the product. Grade: "F" - grade refers to the product type, i.e. F grades form semi firm gels at 143-154F (62-68C). Viscosity: "50" - refers to the viscosity produced under standard conditions, the higher the number the thicker the solution will be (prior to gelling). FG - refers to "F"ood "G"rade.
Here are some examples of possible grades and viscosities:
Grade: "A" - A grade - firm gel; forms at 122-131F (50-55C). "E" - E grade - semi-firm gel; forms at 136-147F (58-64C).
Viscosity: A broad range of viscosities are possible. It must be noted that values above 1000 are labeled using roman numeral units; i.e. 1500 is 15C (C = 100); 40,000 is 40M (M=1000).
Specific Examples:
Methocel A15C = A grade (firm gel, forms at 122-131F (50-55C)), 15C = viscosity of 1500 (15 X 100) centipoise (medium) Methocel E4M = E grade (semi-firm gel, forms at 136-147F (58-64C)), 4M = viscosity of 4000 (4 x 1000) centipoise (medium)
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