StillSmart

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-08T18:12:57+00:00

Just distilled the first batch of VS in the airstill. First 20mL discarded, then 350mL at 65%, next 350mL at 55%, and the final 350mL at 42%. I always collect a Litre then save until I have enough to double distill.

However, I must say this is the first time I would have been happy to put the first diluted 700mL straight into the filter. Very clean smell. Starting the second barrel tomorrow!

Ciao.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:12 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-06T20:32:23+00:00

Appreciate the advice Marc,

I only have the one fermenting bucket (32L) and I cannot lift it when full, so have come up with a cunning plan. I have a collection of 5L plastic bottles which I buy my mountain spring water in. I have decanted all 25 Litres into these bottles which are much more manageable. Now I can get on with the distilling whilst the next batch of Vodka Star is brewing!

Ciao.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:32 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-06T00:02:30+00:00

Yep,i do exactly that,have taps near the bottom of all my fermenters.After fermentation,i degas the wash,i let settle for a few days,then rack into a spare fermenter.I then add the turbo clear and leave for a few more days.It ends up very clear,less shit that goes into the boiler the better.If you are worried about the wastage from 2 lots of racking,just make up your washes to say 26-27L.I still get 21L into my boiler in the end.

Give it a go,you may be suprised,its not much extra work.

Statistics: Posted by marc83 — Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:02 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-05T22:44:06+00:00

Hi guys, here is the update.

Marc, your right -- apart from a bit of gas expelled nothing much more has happened.

I\'ve just put in the \'Turbo Clear\' and it\'s starting to look like something I can distill.

It is looking very clear but still has the pink colour. I will give it one more day and then will decant.

A question! the instructions for the \'Turbo Clear\' say to rack off of the sediment before pitching, does anyone actually do this? 25 Litres is a hell of a weight to man-handle!

Ronbo.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:44 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-05T11:17:27+00:00

sounds like its finished ronbo,Its just the degassing causing it to still bubble away.That SG reading indicates its pretty much done.

Statistics: Posted by marc83 — Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:17 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-05T10:36:45+00:00

Mine has been running for 2 weeks this Sunday, but it\'s nearly there now.

I did put in 7kg just to see how it went.

I think I\'ll stick to about 6kg of sugar as it seems to have added about a week for extra 1kg.

The pink appearance is fine, once the sediment settles all is clear.

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:36 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-04T14:53:31+00:00

Update on the Vodka Star.

Was going to leave it five days before taking the lid off, but it seemed to have slowed to a stop. So took off the lid and drew some off to measure. It is 0.986 which I reckon is about 14.5% from 6kG of sugar and it smells nice and dry. It has the pink appearance reported earlier on this thread.

Gave it a stir and replaced the lid with an air trap. The lid has now resumed it\'s domed appearance and it\'s fizzing away. Will check it again tomorrow.

Ciao.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:53 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-08-01T01:39:46+00:00

Thanks v4mpy, I just had a look at the fermenter barrel 9:30 pm -- the wash temp is now 34.5C

The ambient is still 21C. The wash is very warm. There must be a lot going on in there. The bucket is singing loudly!

It might not break any records, but it\'s certainly entertaining!

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:39 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-07-31T16:49:16+00:00

14% is about right for the 3 bathces I\'ve made so far.

I haven\'t had any foam on any of the batches, which I was expecting to have.

I have done a couple of batches using 6.5kg of sugar with no problems.

I\'m mighty impressed with the Vodka Star.

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:49 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-07-31T13:47:39+00:00

Just started my Vodka Star last night!

This morning it is fizzing away nicely with a wash temp of 28.8C (ambient is 21C)

Not much foam on top although it looks like it might have been about half an inch sometime in the night.

The bucket is singing and the top is dome shaped, lots of CO2 in there! Which is where it\'s staying, I,m not touching the lid for at least 5 days.

Reading this thread -- looks like I,m aiming for about 14% from the 6kG sugar, is that about right?

Ciao.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:47 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-06-09T01:58:40+00:00

i have an airstill and i do vodka star washes all the time, i distill it once and filter once, doesnt need any more than that IMO.

I seem to recall that the one time I tried it, it was then distilled in the smart still!
Actually, I run it twice through the table top one as watering down to 40% and then running it again, usually gives me like 80% ABV.......
Flavour is fine.....

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Wed Jun 09, 2010 1:58 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-06-09T00:41:58+00:00

I\'m using an SS airstill and I distill 3 times. I find this give me a much better taste using bakers yeast.

Has anyone else got an airstill who has used Vodka Star, if so how many times do you pass it through the still. I also filter it with the Essencia carbon filter afterwards.

i have an airstill and i do vodka star washes all the time, i distill it once and filter once, doesnt need any more than that IMO.
cheers, hoppin

Statistics: Posted by hoppinmad — Wed Jun 09, 2010 12:41 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-06-07T14:43:05+00:00

I\'m using an SS airstill and I distill 3 times. I find this give me a much better taste using bakers yeast.

Has anyone else got an airstill who has used Vodka Star, if so how many times do you pass it through the still. I also filter it with the Essencia carbon filter afterwards.

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:43 pm

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-06-07T02:12:58+00:00

I have never used the liquid carbon at all, even in the SS Classic wash.

The wash I just distilled I didnt even use Turbo Clear, I just left it sit for week longer than normal.

Statistics: Posted by Andy — Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:12 am

Alcotec Vodka Star

2010-06-07T01:09:40+00:00

is it normal to use the VS and a pack of liquid carbon or what

never used carbon in the vodka star wash and imo it dont need it
cheers, hoppin

Statistics: Posted by hoppinmad — Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:09 am