StillSmart

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-03-15T17:14:48+00:00

After each stripping run I empty the backset into a stainless bucket while I wash out the still and refill it to run again.

This is a picture of what's left in my still after a stripping run these days.

It still smells crap but as you can see, other than a yellowish tint, the 'leftovers' from the wash are absolutely clear. That Sparkolloid really is brilliant stuff.

Also, because it's clearing all the suspended solids from the wash there's less crud getting boiled up and fouling my spirits and my still.

Can't see any HBS stocking it though. It costs so little and lasts so long that there's no margin in it and they'd lose their sales of two part turbo clearing agents and other finings!

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:14 pm

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-03-14T08:38:55+00:00

In my latest 50lt wash I used Sparkolloid to clear it quickly and found it cleared the top half of the wash overnight. I racked off the cleared portion of the wash and expected the rest would clear that day too.

24 hours later it was still cloudy - no change. Added a new Sparkolloid treatment and Hey Presto! - clear as water. Don't know why it didn't clear the whole batch first time!

Anyhow! The moral of this story is "If at first you don't clear it - chuck another batch (of Sparkolloid) in!"

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:38 am

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-21T12:58:46+00:00

Well Sparkaloid arrived today approx one week since I ordered

Looking forward to trying it soon

Can't recommend Brewhaus enough very reasonable shipping,quick ,friendly and efficient

Statistics: Posted by Admiral Toad — Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:58 pm

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-14T20:48:20+00:00

Well e mailed the nice folk at Brewhaus who said to enter all details on the online order form Inc expensive overseas courier charge but leave a note as aid said to put in flat box and post 1st class and they will adjust cost to what we have been hearing fingers crossed.
Just sitting here doin a VS run all well. still back to normal .and doing some sums.
With the sparkaloid savings carbon free yeast sensible carbon filter and wait for it .... Sugar thar has actually gone down in price ( Costco £10.39/15 kg) gonna work out under £1.20 a litre for basic 40% spirit inc electric. jeez how much money distillers and hmrc make !

Statistics: Posted by Admiral Toad — Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:48 pm

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-09T13:17:14+00:00

Thanks Aidan.

I was 'spoilt' by the clarity of my first 'turbo yeast' washes. After active carbon, and turbo clear they would be transparent, with a perfect view down to the carbon/yeast cake at the bottom.

I think the active carbon gives the clearing agent something to hang onto.

Anyway, my vodka star washes are nothing like that. They are like your wash above.

My first vodka was sat around for over a week, with two sachets of turbo klar and a stint in the back garden as I could not get it to look anything like the previous active carbon added washes.

It turns out, this does not matter.

As long as the opacity is similar to your wash then people should not have air still problems (as long as you use conditioning and boiling beads/copper rings).

Statistics: Posted by mozr — Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:17 pm

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-06T20:56:53+00:00

Very jealous of your hot box Aidan, it's definitely on my to do list this year.
Had been looking for a commercial fridge unit to convert, but nothing locally for the right money. Might just have to build one.

CC

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:56 pm

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-04T10:46:46+00:00

Only thing I have had puke was molasses wash - it's foamy at the best of times - but didn't leave enough head space in the boiler.
I tend to use a little butter as I reuse the dunder - normally don't bother with anything for a really dry neutral wash, but will use conditioner if putting something that's still a little sweet in the boiler, with no plans of using the backset.

BTW, I just ordered some more still spirits conditioner and it looks like they have changed the formula, I have one bottle with the old ingredients of "silicone and propylene glycol", the newer ones are "water & silicone antifoam"

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:46 am

Re: Lets be Clear!

2012-02-04T00:00:55+00:00

That's a nice visual Aidan - my sugar washes are at least that clear when I'm going for neutral, I've very picky about that.
However, other distillers, when running a column with strip, get good results without clearing much on the original strip.

When I do a rum or whisky wash, it gets 3 days to settle then run - I would say what you have shown there is great for an air still when looking for a neutral product. but there are other ways too.

Different strokes for different folks I guess, depends what you are after, what I love about this hobby is the room for experimentation.

btw - whats wrong with the boiler? You got some sacrificial washes running to fill it?

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:00 am