StillSmart

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.

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!

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.

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!

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