StillSmart

Hey, i recently finished a vodka star wash, and left it to clear (after fermentation finished) for about 10 days, but it looks cloudy enaugh to not let me see the bottom of the fermenter, it looks like cloudy apple juice mixed 50-50 with water, i can only see (if i look from the side) a layer of about 2cm of build up on the botton, does this seems like its ready to distill? Or it has to be fully clear that you are able to see the bottom of the fermenter easily?

Tbh I've struggled to get a clear wash lately??? Was going to post myself about it I have done 3 washes and not one has fully cleared, that's even after degassing twice leaving to settle then racking off and using turbo clear and leaving for 5 days!!!!!! But I've distiller them all and drank the results and it tastes fine if that helps z

The clearer you get your wash the cleaner the spirit you'll produce with less chance of off tastes. Cloudiness is just suspended solid material in the liquid. These solids will burn in a still and create off smells and tastes so it's best to avoid putting them in your still at all.

This is especially true with the Airstill and Smartstill.

Having said that, you can run a cloudy wash and it won't kill you, the end product will suffer somewhat but it depends on what you're trying to achieve.

Being a home distiller doesn't mean you have to be an Artisan striving only for perfection. It's perfectly OK to just make drinking alcohol at economical cost.



A crystal clear wash like this is achieved by proper degassing and time in a COLD place.

If your wash won't clear then it's not been thoroughly degassed or the ferment isn't finished - it's as simple as that.

I know this to be true because I used to have that problem and it drove me nuts until I accepted that a wash won't clear if (a) the ferment is not finished and/or (b) the wash properly degassed.

AM

Yea... Temp might be the problem... What about putting the fermenter in my shed? Its get pretty cold at night, but day time could be pretty hot....

Another thing if your using turbo clear, you have to be gentle when stiring it in. If you're too rough with it, it breaks it up and it won't work effectively.

diego321 wrote:Yea... Temp might be the problem... What about putting the fermenter in my shed? Its get pretty cold at night, but day time could be pretty hot....

OK! It's November, "but day time could be pretty hot" You're not on our frozen part of the planet are you?

If you live in a place with a warm climate you could consider getting a small fridge to cool your washes in

AM

Hahaha no. Im in Australia! Thx for the info

Waiting is the worst aspect of brewing.

I have managed to get ahead of myself now. I have for over 12 litres of finished 40% spirit waiting to be made into a variety of things, and a cupboard full of bottles for drinking/cocktails etc. The Essencia was key to this breakthrough.

I am processing another VS wash, and have another one fermenting.

Once you get to that point, where you don't need the booze ASAP, things get easier.

You can let washes clear in their own time. I have now taken to leaving my wash for a week or two after it has finished fermenting. and letting it flocculate at its own pace. A couple of nights outside helps too.

Degassing is still important though.

The key is. When a wash is finished, start a new wash straight away whilst the other one is clearing. That way you have always got something to distill and the world is your pissed up oyster.

I am arming for Christmas like a great aunt buying cards in August.

Bring it on my family of freeloaders! You see if you can sup me dry.

Mozr said: "letting it flocculate at its own pace"....

How very modern of you.....sounds a bit pervy though ..

I'm really glad of my icy cold garage floor, takes 4-5 days but its all crystal.

If you make it the feckers will come and drink it. I keep a private reserve hidden in the attic...they'll never find it up there.

AM

Drinking in the attic.

How civilised.

Im having trouble getting it really clear, thats after a full 14 days ferment out, finings and degassing and cool place for 4 days.... you say degass well to clear how are you degassing?? im using a degasser on a drill?

I'm not sure what "it" is. Did it have carbon in it? You should try to get its as clear as possible but if it had carbon in it must be cleared. Also, what type of still is it going into?

AM

Sorry was vodka star and no I didn't use carbon. Using the trusty airstill. With the still spirits tripled distiller yeast and carbon I never had problems

Getting a clear wash comes with experiance and a lotof trial and error.It's all part of the learning process of our beloved [and depending were you live illegal] hobby. In the past I often considered using Alum to clear the wash, but I'm sort of fixated and anal about the purity of my "oat" wash. Has anyone here ever used Alum to clear a wash and if yes did it adversly affect the final producy?

Not sure this would work. I have used bentonite for clearing my wine's for years. Works great under 24 hrs. Only takes 1 - 2 teaspoons per 1 cup warm/hot water to dilute it well. Poor in as much as you like don't take much. Presto instant clear. All solids fall to bottom. You can buy 1lb this stuff for just under $3. Will last you a life time.