Alcotec Vodka Star

by **Ronbo** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:53 pm

Update on the Vodka Star.

Was going to leave it five days before taking the lid off, but it seemed to have slowed to a stop. So took off the lid and drew some off to measure. It is 0.986 which I reckon is about 14.5% from 6kG of sugar and it smells nice and dry. It has the pink appearance reported earlier on this thread.

Gave it a stir and replaced the lid with an air trap. The lid has now resumed it\'s domed appearance and it\'s fizzing away. Will check it again tomorrow.

Ciao.

by **v4mpy** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:36 am

Mine has been running for 2 weeks this Sunday, but it\'s nearly there now.

I did put in 7kg just to see how it went.

I think I\'ll stick to about 6kg of sugar as it seems to have added about a week for extra 1kg.

The pink appearance is fine, once the sediment settles all is clear.

by **marc83** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:17 am

sounds like its finished ronbo,Its just the degassing causing it to still bubble away.That SG reading indicates its pretty much done.

by **Ronbo** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:44 pm

Hi guys, here is the update.

Marc, your right -- apart from a bit of gas expelled nothing much more has happened.

I\'ve just put in the \'Turbo Clear\' and it\'s starting to look like something I can distill.

It is looking very clear but still has the pink colour. I will give it one more day and then will decant.

A question! the instructions for the \'Turbo Clear\' say to rack off of the sediment before pitching, does anyone actually do this? 25 Litres is a hell of a weight to man-handle!

Ronbo.

by **marc83** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:02 am

Yep,i do exactly that,have taps near the bottom of all my fermenters.After fermentation,i degas the wash,i let settle for a few days,then rack into a spare fermenter.I then add the turbo clear and leave for a few more days.It ends up very clear,less shit that goes into the boiler the better.If you are worried about the wastage from 2 lots of racking,just make up your washes to say 26-27L.I still get 21L into my boiler in the end.

Give it a go,you may be suprised,its not much extra work.

by **Ronbo** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:32 pm

Appreciate the advice Marc,

I only have the one fermenting bucket (32L) and I cannot lift it when full, so have come up with a cunning plan. I have a collection of 5L plastic bottles which I buy my mountain spring water in. I have decanted all 25 Litres into these bottles which are much more manageable. Now I can get on with the distilling whilst the next batch of Vodka Star is brewing!

Ciao.

by **Ronbo** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:12 pm

Just distilled the first batch of VS in the airstill. First 20mL discarded, then 350mL at 65%, next 350mL at 55%, and the final 350mL at 42%. I always collect a Litre then save until I have enough to double distill.

However, I must say this is the first time I would have been happy to put the first diluted 700mL straight into the filter. Very clean smell. Starting the second barrel tomorrow!

Ciao.