StillSmart

WORKS!...

its bleedin magic!...

i put the usual finings into my 8kg vs(that didnt do too well so just stick to 7kg!), and it did its bit.
but as usual, it wasnt exactly clear even though id got the usual cake at the bottom, the wash was still slightly milky.

my donated sparkolloid turned up today curtesy of aidenmac and i didnt put it in until aboit 2pm this aftey and i can now see the bottom of the brewbin!

this stuff is amazing and id deffo recommend it to all on here but the only downfall is no one sells it in the uk for some reason?

Have contacted the manufacturers to see if we can bring it in ourselves and sell it through here. Will keep you posted!

But which is the one to use ? I've read about both hot mix and cold mix, but what the difference is apart from the temperature of the water, I don't know.

I believe that it's basically "diatomatious earth", which to my understanding, is the same as "fullers earth" and/or bentonite powder.

I'd like to give some a try though as I've heard that it's very effective and is quite "gentle" in the way it removes any haze/sediment.

That said, I normally use the SS triple distilled yeast, along with their liquid carbon and finings, though recently I've been using some of the Vodka Star that I got from ellie-claire (10 or 15 packs, something like that to keep the cost down and I seem to recall I bought enough for free shipping - her service was excellent). But just the sugar, water and yeast pack, no carbon in the wash and just leaving it until it has pretty much cleared itself (about 10 days), then siphoning off and running it (run with a small capful of distillers conditioner in 25 litres and a hand full of rashig rings for boiling stones). That seems to work fine, no off flavours etc and yes I do like to water it back down to 40% with RO water then redistil. A nice, clear, neutral spirit, that when it's let down with RO water, gives an excellent base for whatever flavourings you're intending to use.......

The reply from the manufacturers was basically 'not interested, go and buy it in a shop'. Perhaps we should speak to Brewhaus or someone about a bulk import.

Aidan.

If you want to be the spark that ignites brewhaus into selling sparkalloid to us in bulk then you have my full support.

You could always direct him to a thread on here where we all show support, hopefully leading to a trial.

A sensible markup and postage could lead to it being profitable for him and economic for us.

Well guys as I said elsewhere jumped the gun and ordered direct
Must say they are spot on at Brewhaus , my 4 no. 4 oz packs are costing £18.11 to ship to me what a bargain.
I've no doubt they would send a decent amount for resale at a very fair price to our forum go for it Jimmy

Admiral Toad wrote:Well guys as I said elsewhere jumped the gun and ordered direct
Must say they are spot on at Brewhaus , my 4 no. 4 oz packs are costing £18.11 to ship to me what a bargain.
I've no doubt they would send a decent amount for resale at a very fair price to our forum go for it Jimmy

Maybe you can post a link to where you ordered it from ? Last time I looked I couldn't find it listed......

Plus some of the etailers in the US won't do international orders, and some are just too bloody lazy and don't reply to email requests (yes morewine, I'm alluding to you......)

I did manage to get FermaidK from a bloke who lists stuff on ebay for wines etc, and I've been thinking of seeing if it works out cheaper to use EC-1118 and FermaidK, than paying £3 to £4 for the likes of SS triple distilled yeast.

I'd have thought that the ferment would be just as quick........

Cheers Aidan. I can get an order in now........

Tried the sparkaloid for the first time as instructions on pack, one teaspoon per gallon into boiling water until dissolved then mix gently in
But at that rate I will only get 7 or 8, 25 litre washes per 4oz pack still better than liquid finings but not the 20 or so I read of earlier.
So. Does it work with a lot less than the packs say ?

I would just like to register my interest if someone was to arrange a group buy i would be in!

Well cleared similar to turbo finings timescalestill a bit hazy but ok.will try 3 spoonfulls in next VS wash.

I just used gently heaped standard 5ml tea spoon.put 3 in latest VS wash (boiling water etc) and after 36 hours cleared better than any other wash so far almost totally clear well impressed.

Final thoughts on this stuff

3 spoons deff works will try 2 next time

Forgot to de gas prior to adding finings (doh) no problem degassed after adding if anything cleared better so a good mix perhaps helps ?

Some yeast clumps cling to sides of fermenter no prob couple of sharp taps and they drop straight down!

Good stuff this