StillSmart

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-29T06:50:00+00:00

I never bothered with degassing when I ran my airstill I just left the wash to clear for a few days then to save time I pre heated the still with hot water then pre heated a runs worth of wash in a kettle to around 50 degrees C poured it into the still and gave it a good stir to release the gas, I know I may of lost some alcohol as well but the saving in time more than made up for it.

A warning though remember that you cannot see alcohol vapour and this is highly flammable so DO NOT get your wash to hot as the potential for a fire caused by any spark when switching the kettle on/off does exist.

Statistics: Posted by scubadiver — Wed Jun 29, 2016 6:50 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-28T22:34:54+00:00

I don't degas as such.
I rack a finished wash into a new container, leave it a couple of days and then rack into a still.
The liquid falling from the suspended tubing is all the degassing needed.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:34 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-28T18:44:23+00:00

Cheeeko wrote:
Do the bubbles ever stop?

Yeah - when they are in the still

I do not degas ANYTHING. Never have. Make sure you have copper in the still, preferably coinage and don't over fill it.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:44 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-28T12:59:56+00:00

Ah ok cool, that's a job for tomorrow then.

Do the bubbles ever stop?

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:59 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-28T12:51:01+00:00

Make a stirrer from a length of stainless steel....or one of those paint stirrers from a hardware shop...pop it into a drill and let rip. drill an hole in the lid, pass it through into the chuck.. then you can pop the lid on and close it....then let rip.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:51 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-28T12:09:49+00:00

Ok so I just got home.. It's nearly at 990... And sitting around the 9% mark

Jesus.. I've started to de-gas... Do the bubbles ever stop?!?

Any tips?

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:09 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T23:05:27+00:00

Just backing up Ice's comments here.
He is speaking words of wisdom.
I can't fault a word.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jun 26, 2016 11:05 pm

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T11:09:01+00:00

To be honest you've hit the nail on the head....I'd go for a 25/30 ltr then it'll be easy for you to do a larger wash.. as and when you want to trade up.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jun 26, 2016 11:09 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T08:12:52+00:00

Yeah, after reading that whole thread its something I'm very mindful of.. how much free board would you allow in a 10L vessel?

or should I even bother? and just go grab myself a larger 25/30L fermenter?

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:12 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T07:38:43+00:00

Icefever wrote:
One thing to take into account with the size of your bucket is you will need head room...most wash's will take off with a bang. Go for lager one than you think you need.

Most of the buckets/drums we use are about 30 ltr for a 23/25 ltr wash...and I've had the odd one try to clime out ... try a sugar & kale wash...then when your ready move on up to a molasses/ golden syrup wash.

The last time I worked my costs out for running a wash was like £3 a ltr...don't know what it is now.. it's a win win for everyone...maybe not the Gov tho..

You may have read this...download the PDF file it'll make a whole lot of sense..

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1216

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:38 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T07:33:49+00:00

One thing to take into account with the size of your bucket is you will need head room...most wash's will take off with a bang. Go for lager one than you think you need.

Most of the buckets/drums we use are about 30 ltr for a 23/25 ltr wash...and I've had the odd one try to clime out ... try a sugar & kale wash...then when your ready move on up to a molasses/ golden syrup wash.

The last time I worked my costs out for running a wash was like £3 a ltr...don't know what it is now.. it's a win win for everyone...maybe not the Gov tho..

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:33 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T07:18:11+00:00

Yeah everyone seems so helpful and leaves their ego at the door

so I just did a quick on line test shop, and it seems that my 10L wash is going to cost me $3.43!!! ( so maybe like 2 quid?) and that's just buying the bits and bobs in regular amounts! wow! I cant wait to give it a shot

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:18 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T06:37:52+00:00

Looking forward to it.... that's what this forum is all about, there's no "Divas"
on here...unlike some of the bigger stilling forums.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jun 26, 2016 6:37 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T06:32:57+00:00

awesome cheers!

I get home from work on Tuesday, so ill give a little run down of how it all goes.

thanks for your reply mate

Statistics: Posted by Cheeeko — Sun Jun 26, 2016 6:32 am

Re: Newb - what kind of sugar?

2016-06-26T06:26:10+00:00

Spot on mate...

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Jun 26, 2016 6:26 am