StillSmart

...then entire contents including kale added to fermenting vessel.

I like this idea. I freeze strip, so getting them out will not be an issue.

After fermentation, I syphon off, placing a straining bag over the syphon tube, or pour all out into another vessel through a stainless steel strainer. Either way gives little trouble though the strainer does it in seconds.

UPDATE

Compared to previous Kale washes, the results to date (3 days), appear remarkable. The hydrometer readings on each of the four is just below 1.010. Allowing for temperature correction, this is rapid!

Just to reiterate, I didn't boil the Kale. I poured boiling water over it, covered with lid and left for 5 minutes.

Both the Kale and juice were placed in fermenting vessels.

The temperature of 30ºC has been maintained by wrapping in bubble wrap and heating with aquarium heaters set to that temperature. Initially no heating was required as the wash generated its own.

The main differences in the way I have treated these washes compared to previous ones is:

1. Not to boil the kale but to soak in boiling water whilst covered by a lid.
2. To add the kale leaf to the fermenting vessel as well.
3. To maintain a higher temperature throughout.

Things look promising.

EUREKA!

This morning, just seven days after throwing the yeast, my four 23 litre Kale washes have fermented out at .97/8.

This is a marvellous improvement on the two to three weeks taken using other methods. Not only faster but a lower final S.G.

All will be used in my MY THIRD AIR STILL GIN.

Well done chap. Do you freeze strip?

Toper wrote:CURRENT KALE WASHES

12th January, 2017

23 litre washes

5kg sugar

Temperature adjusted Hydrometer reading = 1.085 Potential 10% abv

using this calc http://homedistiller.org/calcs/rad14701 tells me 12.8%

That may well be correct.

I was going by my hydrometer which gives readings in S.G. and % potential alcohol.

In the past my readings have proved reasonably accurate for my purposes.

Would an extra kg of sugar cause a wash to stall, i managed to put 6kg in my last kale wash and now its stalled at 1.020 .?

Yes.
Not every time but the yeast has to work much harder.

Im sure Mash will agree. Better to do 2x washes
with 5kg, strip and combine for spirit run (s).

I certainly don't try to over sugar my washes any more.
It seems a short cut at first, but becomes a slow slippery slope.

Robert.

Easydrinker wrote:I certainly don't try to over sugar my washes any more.
It seems a short cut at first, but becomes a slow slippery slope.

Robert.

Yeah i didnt do it on purpose.

newbie question ,what should the final sg be when the wash has finished ?
how do i know when to run in through the still.

The hydrometer will read 1.0 or less perhaps .995

Listen to it. It will have stopped fizzing.
Look - it will look flat.
Taste it - like thin wine (cos thats really what it is... a basic Kale wine)

Depending on the temps and the attitude of the yeast this might take anywhere between 1 & 2 weeks.

I think temp could be the key to how long.
Bread yeast is used at higher temps than
brewers, so up temp to 30c.