Low temp fermentation...

[John51]

Hi all, great forum.

I have a 450w table top water still that I modified for spirits by soldering up the chlorine vent using cadmium free silver solder and running it from a voltage controller that I've housed in a PC power supply case. Ugly but functional. Let's me go full power for 30 mins to get a quicker warm up then down to whatever lower power I want.

I tried doing a wash in my cellar using Gert Strands 24hr pure turbo but it was so slow (~12'C) that I forgot about it and bought another fermenter. I checked it a couple of days ago and it was reading SG 0.990. Can't remember how many weeks it took.

Did a run and it was much nicer than usual. 2nd run I added 50 bent copper washers and it was better again. First 20ml binned and took 700ml off at a setting low enough not to give any burps or gargling noises. The product has a hint of airstill odour but for a first run, it is almost there imo.

I'm thinking I might be on to something with the cooler ferments. Obviously no need for turbos if going for a longer fermentation but I'm attracted to the 'all in one packet' convenience although I do fancy trying the E-1118 yeast in a TPW.

My plan now is to buy one fermenter a week until I've got enough of them and that way I don't how long it takes. Make one batch of wash a week, get one batch of wash a week.

Anyone else doing lower temp ferments?

[Almanac]

I don't do low temp ferments as such but I try to keep the temp constant in the high teens but lately even that's proved impossible and my washes are hanging at 25oC in my garage and I never use turbos.

I like the turnover concept and it's great if you have enough room to do it. I currently run 2 X 60lt and 3 X 33lt fermenters and I always have one of each fermenting. As each one finishes I put on another the same size and by the time the first is cleared and stripped the next is finished fermenting. Works so far but it's like a full time job at the moment.

I'm trying to make as much as possible at the moment as it is much harder to maintain that cycle in the winter.

BTW, welcome aboard, good luck and keep posting.

AM

[John51]

Thanks, I'm lucky to have the cellar, plenty of space now but I can remember when I didn't. Distilling coffee wine in a bedsit with the landlord living opposite. lol