StillSmart

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-07-03T10:22:47+00:00

Don't count on it being finished....washes are a law unto themselves.. but it won't harm anything to sit for another week..

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:22 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-07-03T07:20:26+00:00

Cheers for the reply!

Nah.. I think it's best that I just buy one.. I always sucked pretty hard at metalwork

Ah ok cool, I'll save them up for a rainy day then (heads/tails)

In other news my lentil wash is still bubbling away nicely, I ended up buying a heat mat, the temp was getting down to around 18.. It's currently sat on 24c, I go back to work on Tuesday for a week.. So hopefully it's finished by then!!

Cheers for the reply and stuff!

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:20 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-07-03T05:38:52+00:00

Icefever wrote:
Cheeeko wrote:
Questions: where can I get a parrot from? Anyone recommend any sites? No joy here in Aus.
The dude at the brew ship told me to keep the heads, and when I have enough heads and tails (to make 4000ml) then use that as a still run? I read that you add the tails to the next batch.. But it doesn't mention adding the heads? Why?
Well it's been fun, plenty to learn!
Any comments and advice greatly received!!
Cheers!

Well done...You can buy parrots...can you solder copper ok??? if so make your own...there's photos of parrot that guys have made.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3956&hilit=parrot

Running heads & tails is up to you....some guys do..others won't...they say it's not worth the trouble.

As you said..."Well it's been fun, plenty to learn!" your right there dude..take it one step at a time...we've all been there.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:38 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-07-03T05:29:01+00:00

Cheeeko wrote:
Questions: where can I get a parrot from? Anyone recommend any sites? No joy here in Aus.
The dude at the brew ship told me to keep the heads, and when I have enough heads and tails (to make 4000ml) then use that as a still run? I read that you add the tails to the next batch.. But it doesn't mention adding the heads? Why?
Well it's been fun, plenty to learn!
Any comments and advice greatly received!!
Cheers!

Well done...You can buy parrots...can you solder copper ok??? if so make your own...there's photos of parrot that guys have made.

Running heads & tails is up to you....some guys do..others won't...they say it's not worth the trouble.

As you said..."Well it's been fun, plenty to learn!" your right there dude..take it one step at a time...we've all been there.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:29 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-07-03T03:52:40+00:00

Ok so... Here's the run down and a couple of questions at the end.

1/7/16 - turbo wash-

Ended up with about 6 liters of crystal clear wash, followed the advice and let settle out in the cold and yeh.. Siphoned it off in a bucket and tipped between a couple of buckets a few times to de-gas

stripping run started at 08:44 - 4000ml

10:49 - 500ml
12:00 - 1000ml
12:20 - 1100ml - missed the cut off.. ABV down to 15% - need a parrot.
12:25 - Started still with last of wash - approx 2000ml
13:30 - stripping run finished
13:35 - ABV of finished product @ 40%

Diluted with 200ml of water down to 30% ABV
Ended up with 1700ml @ 30% ABV

2/7/16

1700ml @ 30%

09:26 - still on with stripped run in.

First drops @ 10:00

50ml collected @ 10:05

Next 250ml collected @ 10:30 80%ABV ? (Heads? Following the best practice flowchart)

Taking 100mls at a time.. Coming out at around 80... Dropping slowly

Ended up with 600ml @ 65%

Diluted with 500ml of water to 40% ABV

11:30 - finished tails collection.. Trouble telling the difference..?

Ended up with 150ml of tail..? Before ABV dropped below 20%

11:33 - put through carbon filter

It's been in the fridge overnight and it's crystal clear, but it does have a slight... Tang to it?

Thinking maybe I should of taken more tail away?

Anyway.. First run complete, I'm gonna add a liqueur B and a bottle of scotch heather essence, apparently it tastes like Wild Turkey American honey. So we'll see how she ends up.

Questions: where can I get a parrot from? Anyone recommend any sites? No joy here in Aus.
The dude at the brew ship told me to keep the heads, and when I have enough heads and tails (to make 4000ml) then use that as a still run? I read that you add the tails to the next batch.. But it doesn't mention adding the heads? Why?

Well it's been fun, plenty to learn!

Any comments and advice greatly received!!

Cheers!

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Sun Jul 03, 2016 3:52 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-30T06:56:45+00:00

I don't use airlocks on anything fermenting.

If you leave a gap between the wash and the top of the bucket, when the fermentation starts it will fill up quickly with co2. This will protect it. Just put a loose lid or towel over it to stop anything dropping in.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:56 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-29T22:41:17+00:00

Agreeing here, It seems to be screw tops that work better with bubblers.
A veteran winemaker may struggle with the concept that a mash intended for stillin' will/should be finished in around week, and it will then be heated in a boiler, infections are rare and of little consequence.
Regarding yeast, I sprinkle on top and come back a couple of hours later and stir it in.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Jun 29, 2016 10:41 pm

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-29T11:58:03+00:00

I would consider an Original Gravity between 1.080 and 1.090 to be ideal.

If you're using an airlock then the lid can be clipped on fully, although many bucket lids don't seal effectively and the lock still might not bubble.

Statistics: Posted by GrunthosTheFlatulent — Wed Jun 29, 2016 11:58 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-29T09:39:56+00:00

Hey guys, ok cool.. I get what you mean now. Thanks heaps for the tips and advice, she's all siphoned off and chilling outside, I'm really impressed... It's pretty much crystal clear! I'm going to start my stripping run tomorrow.

In other news.. I went out and treated myself to a 30L fermenter and I've just put on my first lentil wash (following the recipe posted)

Starting SG: 90 ? Is that a figure you'd expect?

With the yeast, do I stir that in? Or sprinkle on top and leave?

Those of you who use a lid and air lock, how tight should the lid be?

Cheers

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:39 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-29T08:38:40+00:00

I used "crap" as a generic name...on another forum last year, a small number of guys got tangled up with....a grain wash is called a "mash". A fruit wash is called a "fermentation", and a straight sugar is a "wash".

For me...a wash is a wash...

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Wed Jun 29, 2016 8:38 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-29T07:01:53+00:00

GrunthosTheFlatulent wrote:
In fairness, "trub" is very much a brewing term and refers to the dead yeast and protein "break" materials.

... and in my case the odd hop, some grain hulls and maybe even some moss. All adds to the flavour

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Jun 29, 2016 7:01 am

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-28T20:14:55+00:00

Icefever wrote:
The trub is the layer of "crap"....dead yeast cells that sink to the bottom of the bucket.

In fairness, "trub" is very much a brewing term and refers to the dead yeast and protein "break" materials.

Winemakers would call it the "lees", which might be more appropriate for a sugar wash.

"Crap" or "gunk" are non-specific, and we need a thumbs-up smiley.

Statistics: Posted by GrunthosTheFlatulent — Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:14 pm

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-28T20:10:37+00:00

You are right with the BT it hides a multitude
of sins for the rum maker. Still worth the
effort for the result.
Cheeko, if you like rum there are some good,
easy to follow recipes on this forum. Speak
to you from experience yum yum

Statistics: Posted by gaza the instructor — Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-28T19:00:18+00:00

Haha and that took me so long to write 2 of you got there before me! Pesky 4 year olds & mousetrap!

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Tue Jun 28, 2016 7:00 pm

Re: First run - de-gassing and beyond

2016-06-28T18:58:39+00:00

Ok, so when the yeast has finished it will sink to the bottom & form a gungy layer which is called trub. You want the yeast out of the way now it's done its job so many put in a syphon hose that sits just above this gung & suck all the wine/beer out into another bucket, you can pour it off if you'd rather but it's a real pain in the arse to do accurately. You want the wash to be as clear as possible and if you then go thrashing around degassing while it's still sitting on the trub it will all get whipped up & you will have to let it clear again.
Degassing can be important with more traditional ingredients because the proteins in the beer or wine can trap the gas when it warms up & cause your still to foam up then puke into the condenser which you don't want, personally with sugar washes if it's been allowed to clear ok I find the act of syphoning is enough to get most of the gas out & there isn't much in the way of protein in the wash to foam with. The only exception I have found to that is black treacle for rum, I put it down to the unfermentables that are still in the wash.
Time is your friend here, syphon it off within a couple of days after finishing (often called 'racking off') into another bucket. If you can wait a few days then keep a loose lid on it to keep bugs out & it will degas itself, if not I find pouring it between a couple of buckets a few times does well.
Being brutally honest, the first few times I made anything I didn't degas because I didn't know about it & it made no difference as far as I know. Now I rack off then pour between 2 buckets a few times before pouring into the still, I do let stuff sit a few days between racking & stilling though just because I'm never in that much of a rush

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:58 pm