Thinking big!

[Myles]

I tend to use bigger fermenters but after it has finished and settled, will rack it off into a more convenient size.

I accumulated several water chiller bottles. They are about 6 gallons and have a built in handle. They work quite well for clearing wash and are easy to seal. Fill them to minimise air space and seal with the cap or cling film and you can store fermented wash for some time.

They are easy to pick up and pour into the boiler leaving the sediment in the bottom of the bottle.

I also strip into them - just as a collection jug.



In case anyone is interested that big strip condenser was just a standard 15 in 22 liebig. I just reversed it so the coolant flows down the centre tube and also up the coil that cools the jacket. Vapour is between the two cold surfaces. As a strip condenser on a keg it works just fine but would be inconvenient as a product condenser. (I included a valve just to balance the flow rate in the coil and cold finger. Big and unwieldy but OK as a strip condenser. Probably wouldn`t do it this way again now - but it is simple to build with minimal tools)



The observant will notice that in the top picture I had changed the coolant in and out to the input end. More convenient than having them at the product end, and also put the coil in series with the cold finger. much easier.

[Mash]

Bigger ferments tend to be Less temperamental than smaller ones.

Note over 100 L. You will need to change the shape of your Fermenter - flatter is better than taller.

[Toper]

I constantly marvel, at both the display of knowledge and an ability to produce beautiful looking equipment, that is displayed in so many of Myles' postings.

For myself, a wizened octogenarian, smaller is, by necessity, beautiful. I don't think I could actually lift 6 gallons more than six inches off the ground. For such transfers I use a pump now.

I find reflux distilling tantalisingly fascinating, whilst totally without any experience in the process. Reading comments from those who know their subject is very illuminating, whilst often baffling.

[Robbo12]

Ok it's started but i cut back on volume instead of doing 100 litres I've gone for 65 litres of water and 325g of lentils with 150g of yeast , starting gravity is 1.050 it's in the shed outside with a sleeping bag around it i expect it to ferment out in about 2 weeks before it's in the shed with no heating in it.

[Mash]

That's optimistic if you have no heat.

[Robbo12]

I no time will tell.

[H12rpo]

In my (limited) experience, it’ll be more like 5 weeks

[Robbo12]

I think i will put some electric in the shed and put my heater on , has anyone done a camomile gin before?

[Easydrinker]

Heater help, good!
Camomile makes me want to vomit, bad!

Robert.

[Robbo12]

Is it that s**t Robert?

[Easydrinker]

Is it that s**t Robert?

Not sure what you are asking.
The smell of Camomile really does make me want to vomit.
Some folk love it and grow lawns of the stuff.
So it smells nice, when they walk on it.
It takes all sorts to make a world.....

Robert.

[Robbo12]

True i see where your coming from i will do a small amount and see how it goes.

[Mash]

Yup. Just run 1 bottle full in AS and see what you think.

IMHO don't think it will fly, but I have never tried it. Flavours that come out of bots can really surprise - good and bad. Try it. I don't recall anyone else on here has.

[Easydrinker]

I had a wifey once that loved Chamomile.

Robert.

[Myles]

Not sure if the flower will carry over into distillate. You may need to just infuse the flower in the finished gin instead.