Yeast in suspension - Can I still run it?

[WhiteVanMan]

Hi all

New to the forum (and also to home distilling)

I have done research on this and other forums but can't seem to find the answer to my question..

I followed a YouTube video to make a rum, however encountered an issue about halfway through the process

I made a sugar wash - 22l spring water, 6k brown sugar and 3l molasses using a turbo yeast.
All went well, pitched at right temp and kept at 22c for 8 days, fermentation stopped, hydrometer reading was the same for 3 consecutive days so I left it for a further 5 days and then siphoned to a 2nd vessel and then degassed it by transferring between the vessels roughly 20 times.

I added TurboKlar (adhering to instructions) but 48 hours later the wash was still the same colour...

As mentioned above, I have read on this forum previously and I learned that this is possibly down to two reasons, the first being that the fermentation has not complete or the wash was not degassed thoroughly enough.

I allowed it to ferment out and (I think) degassed it enough. If anyone can point out my error so far I would be grateful!

Finally, after leaving the wash for another 5 days, it is still not clear. I have added another packet of finnings (perhaps erroneously thinking the TurboKlar was a 'dud'), but this doesn't appear to have worked either.

The wash is the same colour as it was when I siphoned it between vessels, like a thin watery gravy. I don't want to run it if it is going to come out tasting as bad as it looks, but I don't want to waste it..

The wash smells like a rum and tastes bitter. I have tasted it and I cannot feel any sediment or grit when drinking.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

Edit: Probably should add that I cannot see the bottom of the FV and there is no sediment at the bottom (there was after the initial ferment) and I intend to use a pot still to distill

[Duffer26]

Just run it and see. But be careful with a murky wash, it's likely to puke.

To be safe cover the bottom of your boiler with small things (completely cover) like coins or marbles, then add a knob of butter.

I don't know what still you have but don't leave it unattended, it could be a bumpy ride.

Regards, Marc.

[WhiteVanMan]

Hi Marc and thanks for your reply

The still I am using is this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/DIY-3-Pots-Hom ... 2665104027

Thanks for the tip re marbles, I'll be sure to do that. Out of curiosity, why the butter?

[hampk]

Copper is what you want. Marbles might help prevent a puke, but copper coins or flattened copper pipe offcuts are best for a variety of reasons.

The idea behind the butter is it acts as a defoaming agent - in other words your wash will be less prone to violent bubbling as it boils.

Cheers

Hampk

[Duffer26]

The marbles or whatever stop super boiling, and the butter creates a film on top of the wash that stops foaming, (you could use any consumable oil). You'll get both of these things happening if you have a murky wash.

I did two runs with a murky wash. The first was a disaster, it was a miracle no one was hurt.

The second I used my above advice and it ran super smoothly.

Good luck.

[WhiteVanMan]

Thank you both for the reply.
I will run this tomorrow and will let you know

Have I made some sort of obvious error with this? I followed the instructions to the tee but it just hasn't came out like the video..?


Best get my bomb suit out the wardrobe then...

Edit: Would ceramic baking beads do?

[hampk]

Nothing wrong with them, but search the forum for discussions on copper - it really is worth it.

It's rare that with advice from the folks round here, you will need to abandon a wash - run it and see what happens!

Cheers

Hampk

[Duffer26]

Edit: Would ceramic baking beads do?

Only if you have enough to cover the entire bottom of your boiler.

Think overkill here, anything will do really if you don't have any copper lying around.

I have no idea what happened to your fermentation, try and keep it simple while you're starting out. Use Vodka Star or Still Spirits Pure.

Marc.

[H12rpo]

The ceramic baking beads will do the job fine. The T500 from still spirits comes with 18 tooth sized ceramic pieces to stop ‘surge boiling’ you won’t need to cover the bottom with the beads. Though I would +1 on th3 copper pieces.......I use both

[WhiteVanMan]

Hi all and thanks for all replies!

I will use some beads and some odd bits of copper (sterilized ofcourse!)

I have been out to B&Q (other hardware stores are available) and bought a paint mixer, would it be advisable to degass it using this in a final attempt to clear it? I have already added x2 finnings so I don't really want to add a third as I expect this may ruin it?

I'm just unsure if this will help or do I just go ahead and run tomorrow?

Thanks again!

[Duffer26]

The ceramic baking beads will do the job fine. The T500 from still spirits comes with 18 tooth sized ceramic pieces to stop ‘surge boiling’ you won’t need to cover the bottom with the beads. Though I would +1 on th3 copper pieces.......I use both

On the first run I mentioned above I only used a single pack of still spirits ceramic boil enhancers. Chaos insued.
I had definite pukes, I was using gas at the time and I was rather drunk, and it was the first time I ran my still.

On the second run I covered the base with raschig rings (overkill style) and I had no repeat of the pukes.

It's quite obvious that 1 ceramic boil enhancer won't do the job, while a thousand or more will. The op also doesn't have a t500. This is why I recommend to a concerned beginner to err on the side of caution.

Regards, Marc.

[Duffer26]

I have been out to B&Q (other hardware stores are available) and bought a paint mixer, would it be advisable to degass it using this in a final attempt to clear it? I have already added x2 finnings so I don't really want to add a third as I expect this may ruin it?

It can't hurt. Do let us know how it goes.

[hampk]

If you’ve got a magnet, test al, the ‘copper’ coins you can. Those that don’t stick, chuck in the boiler. As many as you can. Add the knob of butter, and go for it.

Watch it carefully,but likely it’ll be fine.

You can overthink these things.

And it’s prrobably degassed fine; if two clearing packs haven’t worked, it’s not going to clear. Been there, had those - they distill fine, just take it slow and keep an eye on it.

Cheers

Hampk

[Easydrinker]

If you have racked your brew roughly 20 times, then you really do not need to degas anymore.
Your paint mixer will not clear it anymore either.
Washes do not have to be clear, especially for something like a Rum.
I would say do not introduce anything else to the wash.
Run it, with boil pieces, and butter/wash conditioner if you fancy, (I have never used a fat or conditioner, but always use boil pieces).
Different strokes for different folks.
Forget Marbles. Complete waste of time IMHO.
Copper coins and tube off cuts are cheaper and proven.
Source yourself a better Rum recipe, that doesn't ask for a clearing agent.
Hope some of that helps.

Robert.

[RumJohn]

Up until EasyD's comment there was enough advice to choke a horse. But I will repeat what EasyD said and quite possibly add to it. Because the subject certainly deserves clarification.

Your kit appears to be all stainless steel. In itself that is not a problem, but your end product could benefit from some copper somewhere. To prevent surge boiling, an irregular surface within the boiler is required. I use SS pot scubbers of a good quality. Restaurant supply. You could introduce copper at this point and use pennies or scrap copper bits. However, bend the pennies. A flat penny sitting on the bottom of your boiler will not have the desired effect.

Clearing was discussed in here a week or two ago. Do not look for or expect a crystal clear wash. Throw away those additives, or give them to a mate making wine. Let your still give you the crystal clear product you seek.

Degassing. Why? I have bever found it necessary.

Butter? To hell with it. Why put grease in your boiler? Learn to make your product without all these aids and shortcuts.

Cheers. I look forward to hearing how your rum turned out.