StillSmart

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-23T21:06:23+00:00

That thread is where I got started with buffering too.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:06 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-23T20:25:56+00:00

I found a lot of useful information here - http://forum.moderndistiller.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1109; apologies for going off-forum

The molar mass of baking powder is pretty much 84, while citric acid is 192, about 2.25 times heavier. a 50/50 mix by gram weight thus makes the buffer more acid than a 50/50 mix by molecular weight.

My practical results the last three washes seem to suggest by gram weight is close enough. Saves baking powder..!

Cheers

Hampk

Statistics: Posted by hampk — Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:25 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-22T23:27:10+00:00

Changing the ratio will change the pH level that the buffer "locks in". Equal atomic weights should hold it at 5.0, IIRC, which I may well not.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:27 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-22T21:45:52+00:00

I've also been using a buffer -last three washes have all completed in 5 days with no stalling - previously I have had awful problems.

I guess you ideally want a 50% mix by atomic weight of citric and bicarbonate but I have to say I've just been chucking 50g of each into a litre of water, waiting for the fizz to die down, and then adding to the wash.

Works for me..

Cheers

Hampk

Statistics: Posted by hampk — Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:45 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-21T15:35:16+00:00

I use one as a matter of course with sugar bases washes. I make my own, it is just a precise combination of baking soda and citric acid.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Mon Sep 21, 2015 3:35 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-21T12:21:46+00:00

Managed to get the ferment right down to sg 1000, but it was a bit of a struggle.

I see some of you have mentioned PH buffers. Do you use them as a matter of course or just when you are having problems with slow ferments.

What brand would you recommend.

Statistics: Posted by Still Brewing — Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:21 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-19T07:21:09+00:00

Brilliant image... Thanks Robert

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:21 am

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-18T23:38:22+00:00

Depends upon the size of yer bucket,- stick yer head in one of mine and you would need a towel if not a hair wash,not a lot of free space in the current ones!

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:38 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-18T08:56:44+00:00

Couldn't care less about the shells ED just mentioned them in passing. Just saying washes are more active than we give them credit for and we often panic thinking that its stalled or stressed or something. If the SG is moving down the yeast are working. Give it the sniff test. Head in the bucket. Inhale deeply and if it feels like both your nostrils have been stabbed all's well and there's life in them yeasties yet.

Statistics: Posted by Mr Four Square — Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:56 am

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-18T08:13:24+00:00

+1 to the comments relating to sugar and pH. My own experiments after suffering interminably long fermentations have led me to 5.5kg sugar in 25 litres, not 21, and a pH buffer. Even with 25 litres I found I needed the buffer for a quick ferment, but our tapwater here is well below pH 7.

Cheers

Hampk

Statistics: Posted by hampk — Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:13 am

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-18T03:40:16+00:00

I liked Mashy's calc from the other day. Tomas sugar....

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Fri Sep 18, 2015 3:40 am

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-17T23:57:58+00:00

It is not that I wish to argue with the sea-shells reference,only the disclaimer,"over a period of time" , my own washes take a week,or less,there is no more time!

Maybe you pre-soak the shells?

One of the reasons that I moved away from home winemaking was the inordinate amount of time that ferments seemed to take.
Maybe I could now improve on that?
Anyway,re-reading this thread,I am still convinced that it is PH (or maybe high sugar),causing the problem,so please let me know if I am wrong.
I won't promise to eat my hat,but will graciously admit that I was wrong.
I am here to try and help,you,me and anyone else that wanders by.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:57 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-17T17:42:54+00:00

Have you tried adding some Baking Soda to see if it is the pH?

Statistics: Posted by chill — Thu Sep 17, 2015 5:42 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-17T13:03:36+00:00

The wash has been going for nearly two weeks now. I turned the heater back on a couple of days ago and it looks like there has been a little more fermentation as its gone down to 1004.

Bit strange that one as it was stuck on the same reading for nearly four days.

Fermentation is strange at times. Looks like I need to read up a little more instead of just understanding the basics.

Statistics: Posted by Still Brewing — Thu Sep 17, 2015 1:03 pm

Re: Fermentation Not Complete

2015-09-17T10:38:58+00:00

packapoo wrote:
I've seen a school of thought elsewhere (don't believe it was this board) that suggests pH can be assisted by chucking a couple of suitably cleaned sea shells (cockles, whatever) into the mix.Apparently it works. Theory is over a period the calcium is consumed and gradually you find, next two please.FWIW. I haven't tried it but I'm intending to.

I tried this on one of two identical Cachaca washes. Both came out just fine but you could tell the sea shells had given up quite a bit of calcium. Its a neat idea. The wash scavenges the calcium from the shells like a sacrificial anode !

What makes you think it has stalled? Lack of movement in the airlock? No change to the SG? How long was the wash sitting without a change to the SG? It is possible that it has just slowed down,. You can leave these things for a month sometimes ...

Statistics: Posted by Mr Four Square — Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:38 am