StillSmart

This is my first post..

My better half had me move my wash from the home to our storage shed. Well--its only about 10C daytime and as low as 4C at night. Checked the SG today--and after 5 days it is registering zero/that is to say the other half of the scale says no ABV..

This is a Vodka Star wash with 4kg of sugar which I used to do inside. Been making this stuff now for almost 2 years and actualy most of it does taste nasty-even when doing it in the home.

Started this off as usual at 30C but moved it to a much cooler location only after 2 days. Is it never going to ferment, or can I revive it??

Been reading this forum for 2 years, didn`t join for fear of getting nailed for (you know what).. After the Paris incident, thinking the law enforcement have better things to attend to..

I am retired and just trying to make my pension stretch a little more without having to give up some of the more enjoyable things in life.

Thanks--and yep-I will have more questions.

Sonny

This is an Air Still. Got the idea of using less sugar from this forum. I figured some of the replys would ask this,

I can put a light bulb in the shed which will keep it from freezing.

Question again though is --how long can the temp go so low after starting it at the right temp. And is 4klg sugar too low for even a Vodka Star Waah?

Hi
What are you using to check the Specific Gravity (SG)
If it is reading 0 I suspect you are using a alcometer

With a wash hydrometer you would start at (eg) 1060 at the start of the wash fermentation and once the fermentation is finished your reading would be something around 995.

They are two different instruments the alcometer will show alcohol content in the finished product in a range of 0 to 100 (actually max 96) %

The hydrometer will show the amount (density) of unfermented sugar ( and hence potential alcohol if all fermented)

That said the temps are too low for virtually any yeast and you will need heat to raise the temps

Hi,and welcome.
Struggling a little here as to how to help you.
1.change your user name to something less specific.A standard email address is asking for a shitstorm.
2.If you are brewing outdoors in a shed you really need to invest in something like an aquarium heater,and maybe a blanket.
This can be done for small money.
Come back after dealing with these,and we we will do what we can.
ATB

Robert.

Welcome! Have a look at Aidan's Hot Box, it should meet your needs:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1027&hilit=aiden+hot+box

More question? Please ask!

Chuck

Hi & welcome to the forum...As Easydrinker's already stated please change your forum name..go to.."User Control Panel" then "Profile" click "edit account settings" then think up a new name...

Yeast is great stuff,
Quote....

Been making this stuff now for almost 2 years and actualy most of it does taste nasty-even when doing it in the home.

but it does need looking after...any steep temperature change as all sort of effects on it. This is the first problem you have to work on, get your ferment correct and you will improve whatever you make in the future.

If you can hold of an old but working fridge this Link here may be a solution for having your ferments in the shed.

The low temp will only put the yeast to sleep and they'll get back to work as soon as you get the temp back up.

At this time of year my workshop is like a freezer as I don't have any heating in it. I use the hot box but it only takes two fermenters. For extra fermenters I set them on a wooden base and use a sleeping bag and an aquarium heater on each. Works a treat.

BTW, 4 kg of sugar is very low for Vodka Star. 5kg is optimum and provided you double distill you will get a decent final quantity from each wash. Having said that, if you're happy with what you get from 4Kg then good for you.

Welcome aboard.

AM

Thanks for the help guys. Guess I will be looking for two aquarium heaters.

All sorted now....

Sonny,welcome.
Aquarium heaters are cheap as chips from that well known auction site,and will take care of brewing outdoors,maybe aided by a blanket,quilt or sleeping bag.
Glad to have you on board,and any questions that you have,ask away.
We are a friendly bunch here,and like to help if we can.

Robert.

Welcome to the friendly forum

Now I'm going to take slight issue with my old mate AM but for a long time now I've run my vodka star washes with 7kg of sugar OG of about 1100, 2 weeks to ferment and about 16% abv

Clean enough wash and very pure as long as you do 2runs as mentioned all over this site

Have fun !

No argument there AT, you're absolutely correct. My post was pointing to what I have found to be the optimum sugar volume for fast and complete, problem free turnaround using Vodka Star.

Your practice of using 7Kg is something I would only recommend to someone with your level of experience who would know how to run ferments at that level. For most 'new' distillers I tend to advise caution and lower sugar levels give quicker and less problematic outcomes.

AM

As I am now at odds with the two of you,and so coming from a different corner,I am failing to understand (apart from a little more hooch) why anyone continues to to pay out for Turbo's,when a good old lentil wash delivers the goods.
It is perhaps a good thing that we are not all the same.
LLAP

Robert.

Hi Robert
I use it in my case for convenience and consistent performance and in the big scheme of things the cost isn't prohitbitive

That said I wouldn't mind giving a lentil wash a go so any chance of your recipe

ime slow ferments give a better product. I usually have 4 fermenters on the go in an unheated bedroom plus another fermenter for syphoning. Very cold flat, great for heatwaves but always cold otherwise.

I have one 240w 4 foot tube heater, intended for greenhouses, between the wall and the fermenters. Gives me 3 to 4 week ferments in winter. Has a built in thermostat. That's with VS and 6Kg of sugar.