StillSmart

Apologies from a newbie Lady distiller for questions asked that may have been answered, and for my lack of the correct terminology! Small house, other half not interested - an Airstill is my only option! I've been reading the helpful information here and realise why my first attempts were abandoned - the most awful headaches! After reading aidenmac's guide on the need to double distill (thank you), my Airstill is in use again and making some drinkable spirit. Feeling adventurous after reading it....I thought it would be good to ditch the Tripled Distilled. I started Googe's Kale Wash using fresh baker's yeast from Morrison's - loved the reference to "Hippy Moonshine" - sums me up!. It started well and I "stirred" it daily (as recommended on one of the threads I read)- should I have just left the frothy head on the top?? 6 days on the SG is still 1.060 and virtually no bubbling, do I need to add an aquarium heater because it's chilly here and wash is sitting on a tiled floor, ambient temp 14-20c? I know I've got a lot to learn but any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

I would take some wash out and try and get it going in a small bottle with some fresh yeast somewhere warmer, while at the same time getting some sort of heater on it, maybe a brew belt around the bucket would suffice.

If your bottle starts, add it to your main batch with some more fresh yeast.

If that doesn't work you could also check the PH isn't too acidic, failing that you may need to dump it, I had a lentil wash I had to throw the other week, it was fermenting really slow, even at 24°c I suspect I didn't fully rinse the bucket properly after sterilising, I remember doing it with cold water from an outside tap, when I've always used warm from the shower.

I think it's maybe too cold where I have the fermentor but there isn't anywhere warmer I can put it. This is new to me and I have limited equipment, my previous Triple Distilled washes were OK in this heat though took longer than stated (12 days instead of 7). The bucket was properly sterilized and the initial fermentation was vigorous, I obviously need to invest in something to maintain the temperature, also something to check the PH.

Thank you for taking the time to offer your advise, much appreciated!

Welcome!

My guess is that the temperature is the problem. I'd get it up off of the tile floor (put it on cardboard or wood any thing that might provide some insulation) and put in a cheap aquarium heater.

It could also be, as Anavrin said, low pH. It could also be inadequate nutrition. I've tried Googe's recipe a few times and it always stalls for me if I don't add some extra nitrogen (DAP). Maybe I don't use enough Kale. The lentil wash works fairly well too, but again I need to add nitrogen.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck for the Welcome!

Risking being a complete idiot??? Can you tell me what DAP is? I have read countless pages before posting my query, trying to comply with the "recipe" - only to realize how much I have to learn - feeling swamped with so much information.

I did put a pinch of citric acid and "Andrews" liver salts (no espom salts available) in earlier which probably just highlights how little I know!! I was contemplating adding a yeast condiment I use in cooking called Engevita (I'm vegetarian), it's made from a primary inactive yeast but is high in B Vits and minerals

I will try to insulate as you advised and am looking for an aquarium heater on Ebay as I type, I'll try some fresh yeast - if it doesn't work then - it's just part of the learning journey.

Hello,and welcome Cherub.
Chill's advice with heat and insulation is good,and I agree with him that extra Nitrogen does not go amiss with lentil washes.Either DAP,or a commonly found household substitute,chopped Raisins or Sultanas,seemingly a great source of nitrogen.
HTH
Robert.

Thank you Robert,
I'll add some raisins in the morning. I bet it's chillier there than here in Shropshire!

Cherub wrote:6 days on the SG is still 1.060 and virtually no bubbling,

Hi Cherub,

1.060? What was the original gravity? how much water / sugar did you use?

Hi Cherub,

You can get cheap litmus papers on eBay to check the pH. They are accurate enough for our needs. Here is an example (and the ones that I use): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80-pH-1-14-Un ... 231dd230d9

DAP is Di-Ammonium Phosphate, a common additive in wine making. If you have a local wine making shop, you can find a blend of it and yeast hulls etc called Yeast Nutrient. If you garden, some garden fertilizer (not compost!) will work too. The salts won't come over once you distill it.

I don't think that Engevita will give you the nitrogen (not sure), but it is definitely good nutrition for the yeast.

Try to not feel swamped, just keep asking questions. We are here to help.


Chuck

@Cherub: I noticed you "stirred daily". I am not sure what you mean by stirred. Might I suggest for future runs to leave it alone.

At the time of pitching your yeast you want the wash to be well oxygenated for an aerobic environment for the yeast. Once the yeast has multiplied and it is beginning to convert sugar to yeast, it prefers an anaerobic environment. Stirring may get oxygen back into wash and be counterproductive.

Hi Cherub and welcome,

Just one thing to add to what's been posted already. Don't add Citric Acid or any other acid unless you're sure the pH of the wash really needs it - depends on the make up of your water.

Acid is the enemy of yeast and if the level of acid is too high the yeast cells will just go to sleep and your wash will stall

Don't worry, it will all come good in the end. try the Lentil Wash recipe it's simplicity itself

AM

YHB,

25L Wash
5KG Sugar
100G Kale

I didn't check the original gravity as I thought the Kale might affect it.

Chill/Chuck,

Thanks for the link, I've ordered some litmus paper and also an aquarium heater.I picked up some Yeast
Nutrient in town earlier today.

RumJohn,

I have been stirring it once a day - as I saw this recommended on a thread about this wash - I'll leave it alone in future!

aidanmac,

I won't add anything else until I receive the litmus paper (except some nutrient). The Lentil Wash is next on my list!!

The SG has dropped 2-3 points since yesterday, hopefully I'll get it warmed up and test the PH early next week.

Thanks again everyone for the useful advice, much appreciated.

Hi cherub, it's a shame it's.not working for you!!. I've only had one fail out of God only knows how.many I've done now!, it failed because I did a larger batch and stuffed up the sugar content, didn't realize till later lol. I've never added neutrients as the purpose of this was the kale is the neutrient. I've fermented in temps down to 4c over night and still had no problem. I think prolonged low temps would affect it like any wash, I agree with chill at getting it off the floor, even a few feet off the floor could be 5 degrees warmer. Acid could be your enemy like other say to. How did you do the kale?. Good luck, hope you can fix it!.

Thanks Googe!

It's probably something I've done/not checked - not your recipe, I'm new to this!!
I blitzed the kale in a high powered blender (Vitamix). I'll test PH when the strips arrive and add a heater..it's still working slowly! If it fails it doesn't really matter
as it's only 5 bags of sugar! I've learned I need to check things like the PH, not interfere with the "frothy head"
All in all it's an inexpensive lesson!

After adding a couple of teaspoons of Nutrient it's perked up and is now bubbling (slowly but steadily),the gravity is down to 1.032.

The litmus papers arrived today so I checked the wash - which shows about a 3, my tap water is 7.

I've got an empty fermenter now so was going to start the Lentil Wash, will this be OK at a lower temperature - I realise it'll take longer to ferment but I've only ordered one aquarium heater and not sure which wash to put it in when it arrives!

I've been busy reading...am I right to think washes should start off with a ph reading around 5 (after mixing)?

Thank you