StillSmart

Brian and Aidan both nailed this there I think,perfect logic,science,chemistry and biology.
Being a diehard turbo fan I currently have a lentil wash racing a vodka star and an alcotech 48,all started within minutes of each other,half packs of yeast,same sugar levels,5kg.
Using yellow split peas[As I believe Scarecrow originally did] (cos they're really cheap),not red lentils.
Looks to be neck and neck as they approach the finishing tape,although I suspect the split pea wash will come out on top as the wash cost is about £1GBP lower per bucket.
Not really an amount worth writing home about
But I did,apparently!
I know I need to get out more.
I did last night,Del Amitri in Glasgow,Brilliant.
Still buzzin'.
Robert.

Excellent.......

The also tech 48, should (from memory), be quickest, but like with anything Rob, it often comes down to the numbers - hence I happily use vodka star and because I get away with no carbon and not fining it, it costs me the sugar, the yeast/nutrient pack and the cost of leccy/water to cool my T500, so half the price of using a full SS triple distilled wash pack(s)......

Must have a cracking at the lentil wash sometime though.......

Afternoon all,

Just thought I' throw up this pic of the krausen on the lentil wash I put up last evening. Photo was taken about 12 or 13 hours after yeast was pitched. :-)



Looks like its off to a good start.

All the best,

Mike P

Yup...just the same as mine....on the first go, but 2nd time round it's a lot slower.

Ok. Another update!
This wash has been on since the 9th now and this is the current reading


What does this wash normally read when finished?
If I take a reading then pour the trial jar back in it bubbles for a couple of hours then stops again.
I'm used to the turbo washes starting to clear when they are finished, does this one do the same?
I'm just a little worried it may be screwed!

Really what I'm trying to ask is is this length of time abnormal?!
Thanks in advance

Temperature affects ferments and the lower the temp the slower it will be. The other problem with long ferments is that it gives the pH more chance of dropping below 3 and putting the yeast cells to sleep.

Can I ask, how much lentils did you use with the 11kgs of sugar?

AM

Hi Aidan
Went with 500g as guidance from yourself for a single gen.
It's been at 22/24c on my temp strip since day get go.
Does this sound ok buddy?

Corps....by the looks of that hydro I would say that wash as finished. It's reading 1.000 as far as I can see, stick it somewhere cold to clear.

Also you say your "temp strip" reads 22/24, a lot of folks I know that brew their own will not use these strips as they "may not" be correct.

As the other guys say, the lower the temp the longer the ferment.

BJ...

In a 60lt wash I would have used 800g of lentils with 10kg of sugar and given that you used 11kg I'd have upped the lentils to 1kg. I'd say the wash has stalled from lack of nutrients and low pH.

Soak about 300g of lentils in boiling water and allow to cool to about 25oC then add 2tsp of Sodium Bicarb and add the lot to the wash. Give it all a good stir and close the lid. It should re-start OK. The FG should be 0.990 or lower.

If you don't have a means of maintaining higher temps maybe you should use smaller fermenters, especially if you're using an Airstill

AM

2tsp or 2 Tbsp? 2tsp of baking soda in that much liquid does not sound like enough to me.

Phantom wrote:Excellent.......

The alco tech 48, should (from memory), be quickest, but like with anything Rob, it often comes down to the numbers - hence I happily use vodka star and because I get away with no carbon and not fining it, it costs me the sugar, the yeast/nutrient pack and the cost of leccy/water to cool my T500, so half the price of using a full SS triple distilled wash pack(s)......

Must have a cracking at the lentil wash sometime though.......

You were right with the timings Phantom,racked the alcotec tonight at .984,will do the vodka star tomorrow at the same FG,(by then),and hopefully the lentil wash the next day,still just fizzing,nearly done.
All had the same heat and sugar,and the turbos had just half a packet.
The cost comparisons are really negligible,in order(excluding sugar),£1.05,.88p and .77p for the lentils and half a tub of Allinsons,mainly due to discovering https://www.discountbrew.co.uk/, who I recommend to all,good prices and service.
I have a packet of the SS triple distilled stuff,came with the Smart Still,which I don't fancy using any time soon.
I will happily be using turbo clear in all washes,half a pack,47p,worth it for the speed of clearing.
From tomorrow,due to a couple of strips sitting waiting,I will be running the still for the next seven nights,no,it will be longer.
Ain't life a bitch?
Then I will be able to relax a little and finally get my peated malt going before it goes fousty.
Robert.

chill wrote:2tsp or 2 Tbsp? 2tsp of baking soda in that much liquid does not sound like enough to me.

I hear you Chuck, but without a pH measurement I thought it best to suggest a small change. Two teaspoons won't change the world but if the pH has dropped too low it should be enough to make a difference and get the wash restarted without raising it too much in one go.

AM

Hi Aidan.
Been on holiday so only just read your reply.
Checked the was again today and here's the result.
It has actually dried up a bit more!


Shall I just leave it?

I'd suggest tasting the wash and if it's still sweet on the tongue you'll need to get the wash to finish before trying to strip it. A pH test would be of great help to determine if the wash has stalled

However, if it tastes dry get it stripped quickly, so it doesn't have any chance of picking up an infection, then you can take your time doing the spirit runs.

AM