Newb - what kind of sugar?

[Cheeeko]

Hey guys,

Firstly id like to say G'day from Perth Australia! everyone on here seems really friendly and the advice/tips you guys give is invaluable for a first time stiller(?) like myself

I've just acquired myself a air still and I'm a total newb. I've been doing some reading, I finished every post in the lentil wash recipe section and I'm really excited to give it a try!

Currently I have the basic kit (10L fermenter) but looking to upgrade once I've had a few trial runs. I currently have a turbo kit bubbling away (hopefully finished by the time I get home)

my question is, you guys talk about 'sugar' Do you guys just use everyday cheap table sugar? what's the advantages/disadvantages with using other forms? dextrose? is it purely a cost saving thing?

What is the best kind of sugar to use in the air still?

Ok.. so maybe that was more than one question, but I hope someone can reply and give me some advice

Looking forward to being a active member of this forum!

Thanks in advance

[Icefever]

Cheeeko hi & welcome to the best forum around.

Ok down to your Q's...

Table sugar is all it takes..you asked "dextrose? is it purely a cost saving thing?"...A..yes.

The lentil wash is a very good wash to start off with and will get you away from the turbo's....there's a lot of mixed feelings about turbo wash....not everyone like them...me included.

Have you download the PDF file for running a double distill with the Airstill???

Hang in there matey you'll be making fine drink very soon.

[Cheeeko]

Cheers for the reply Ice!

Yep, ive studied it hard! cheers to @Almanac for making that, having the visuals to refer to is really going to help.

Yeah.. I swapped my mate a carton (24 pack in Australia) of Corona for his air still! turns out he'd been making turbo washs' and drinking his stripping run "pfft this is shit" he reckons

So just normal el'cheapo sugar? copy that.

Also while im here, sorry if its a bit off topic, but - I see all you lads are using 20+L fermenters, what would be a good base lentil wash recipe for my little baby 10L fermenter.. I see that they get pretty busy in the first day or so and with my limited room.. and my wife's temper, I really don't want to make a mess or waste any of the precious

Cheers

[Icefever]

Hi matey.

Stick with what you feel is right for you...(think wife) we do go with 20/25 liter wash as it fits into 1 x 25 ltr boiler like the T500 or 5 x 4 ltr AS runs.

Stick with the 10 ltr for now that'll give you 2 runs...don't forget to only do half of the recipe...I cocked a recipe up years back with a beer...stuff came out like you don't want to know..

You got the deal of the week with the swap with your mate.... give it a few weeks then call him over and show him what he's missing out on..

[Cheeeko]

Yeah I'm gonna have a go at getting the lentil wash right first in my baby, then upgrade to a bigger girl.

as far as yeast goes... is something like this suitable?

http://shop.coles.com.au/online/nationa ... ed-instant

Cheers

[Icefever]

Spot on mate...

[Cheeeko]

awesome cheers!

I get home from work on Tuesday, so ill give a little run down of how it all goes.

thanks for your reply mate

[Icefever]

Looking forward to it.... that's what this forum is all about, there's no "Divas"
on here...unlike some of the bigger stilling forums.

[Cheeeko]

Yeah everyone seems so helpful and leaves their ego at the door

so I just did a quick on line test shop, and it seems that my 10L wash is going to cost me $3.43!!! ( so maybe like 2 quid?) and that's just buying the bits and bobs in regular amounts! wow! I cant wait to give it a shot

[Icefever]

One thing to take into account with the size of your bucket is you will need head room...most wash's will take off with a bang. Go for lager one than you think you need.

Most of the buckets/drums we use are about 30 ltr for a 23/25 ltr wash...and I've had the odd one try to clime out ... try a sugar & kale wash...then when your ready move on up to a molasses/ golden syrup wash.

The last time I worked my costs out for running a wash was like £3 a ltr...don't know what it is now.. it's a win win for everyone...maybe not the Gov tho..

[Icefever]

One thing to take into account with the size of your bucket is you will need head room...most wash's will take off with a bang. Go for lager one than you think you need.

Most of the buckets/drums we use are about 30 ltr for a 23/25 ltr wash...and I've had the odd one try to clime out ... try a sugar & kale wash...then when your ready move on up to a molasses/ golden syrup wash.

The last time I worked my costs out for running a wash was like £3 a ltr...don't know what it is now.. it's a win win for everyone...maybe not the Gov tho..

You may have read this...download the PDF file it'll make a whole lot of sense..

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1216

[Cheeeko]

Yeah, after reading that whole thread its something I'm very mindful of.. how much free board would you allow in a 10L vessel?


or should I even bother? and just go grab myself a larger 25/30L fermenter?

[Icefever]

To be honest you've hit the nail on the head....I'd go for a 25/30 ltr then it'll be easy for you to do a larger wash.. as and when you want to trade up.

[Easydrinker]

Just backing up Ice's comments here.
He is speaking words of wisdom.
I can't fault a word.

Robert.

[Cheeeko]

Ok so I just got home.. It's nearly at 990... And sitting around the 9% mark

Jesus.. I've started to de-gas... Do the bubbles ever stop?!?

Any tips?