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Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:54 pm
by Distillingchris
Have got 2 kale washes on, both been on for 3 weeks both stopped at 1.030, how can I get it down or can I distill as is ?
Last 2 washes I did stopped at 1.010 and just ran them
I used 6kg sugar 23 litres water and boiled kale

Need to get these ran fairly sharpish

Cheers

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 6:55 pm
by Mash
Run them.

You can restart them.

The sugar should remain in the boiler so you could use that in your next wash, rather than just chucking it.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 6:58 pm
by Mash
Ps. 6kg is probably on the high side. Try 5kg next time and it will finish.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 9:29 pm
by Easydrinker
I'll +1 that.
Less sugar.
And probably more yeast than you didn't state using. :D

Robert.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 9:41 pm
by hampk
Might just be worth checking pH. I had problems with stalling washes until I stared using buffers - not that I necessarily want to re-ignite that debate on this thread!

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:52 pm
by Mash
Blimey was that a Tumbleweed ;D

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:30 pm
by Easydrinker
Not sure what Mash means there?

Robert.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:36 am
by Curmudgeon
I am having similar problems with lentil washes and having to restart them with more nutrient of a different type than first. I guess I need to learn more about ph.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:51 am
by Icefever
How many KGs of sugar do you use???, lets have a look. IMHO ph can be the main problem.

In all the time I've been doing this hobby, I've only ever had one real bad wash...and that was ph.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 4:30 am
by Teddy
I spot several potential causes:
What yeast did you use and how much?
Any additional nutrients?
Temperature
pH of the wash
And finally your sugar level at the start.

I advise against running as is you will lose far too much potential alcohol.
I would suggest watering down a bit, adjusting pH to around 5 to 5.2. keeping it warm 25 to 28C
Add some nutrient and repitch yeast (after rehydrating) If poss use champagne yeast (EC1118) for the repitch.

When you say you need to run it smartish I say slow down and dont put pressure on yourself

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 6:00 am
by Mash
+1

The only thing I can add is THIS IS THE yeast for a restart Lalvin Wine Yeast K1-V1116.

Rehydrate properly, and add the 'stuck' to the yeast - doubling the volume each time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lalvin-Wine-Ye ... B002W44TUY

Technically you should(?) be able to ferment what is left in the boiler - but never tried it.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 1:03 pm
by hampk
Easydrinker wrote:Not sure what Mash means there?

Robert.


I know EXACTLY what Mash meant there.. ;D ;D

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:05 pm
by Distillingchris
Cheers guys, I just followed a recipe on here for kale wash, 1st batch was fine, well that stopped about 1.010 but ran it, was just checking I could run it, I appreciate its better to restart it and get more alcohol but when I've got more time on the next one I will and will check ph and use your advice but think il just have to run this as I'm abit short on time, thanks

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:33 pm
by Capt-Cudellez
If you are going to restart a stuck ferment, I'm always had more success spitting the wash.

Take the wash, split it into 2 fermenters, add some fresh sugar to bump the gravity a little and pitch a good starter onto them. Obviously you need to have spare fermenters to do this.

If you decide to run as it, it will most likely be very foamy and liable to puking, so charge the still with less and keep an eye on it.

Re: Stuck at 1.030

PostPosted: Thu Oct 27, 2016 10:25 pm
by Dave
I'm in a similar situation. My wash consisted of 3lbs of cornmeal, converted with amylase, 3 1/2 lbs sugar, boiled kale juice, 7g bakers yeast. Made up to 3 gallons/15 ltrs.
Has been going slowly for nearly 3 weeks, then on Tuesday slowed right down with a sg of 1020, last night and tonight just about 1017.
I took some of the wash, about half a cup, and mixed some wine yeast with nutrient in last night, but it's doing nothing.
Any advice guys? :-\