StillSmart

Ah that makes sense Mash.....thanks

Somewhat obscurely maybe, I am going to give a similie.
I water empty beds of soil in my poly tunnel.
To keep them viable growing media.
Sure, I then have to pull the weeds.
Earth is not simply "dirt".
I can agree to an extent on Mash's post, for sure we could reach consensus faster than Brexit.
Lot's of shit does indeed need looking after.

Robert.

You've nailed it Robert.
Absolutely that's why councils have treatment ponds .....
How else would they look after it

LOL, you bad man!

Robert.

So is the maximum abv for this kind of wash around 10%? And if that's right, using a T500 can I expect no more than 2.5 litres of distillate from a 25 litre wash ? If that is how it works is there a stronger abv wash that will produce more ?

H12rpo wrote:So is the maximum abv for this kind of wash around 10%? And if that's right, using a T500 can I expect no more than 2.5 litres of distillate from a 25 litre wash ? If that is how it works is there a stronger abv wash that will produce more ?

i don't think it goes much more,i have just checked mine this evening after 12 days just about done 10.89% using corrected hydrometer temps .

Yeah that's what I thought but if after 2/3 weeks I add say a kilo more sugar......surely that would raise the abv? After all it would continue to ferment with the yeast converting the sugar.

Can I not make a 20% wash (perhaps with something other than a sugar wash) and get 4 to 5 litres of distillate from a 25 litre wash ?

Mate, what are you trying to make here?
Tractor fuel, or something worth the effort?
You have been around long enough to know that the consensus here is not the highest % wash that you can squeeze from anything is the best.

Robert.

Haha love your reply Robert.

Just musing really that 2 litres or so from a fecking big wash that takes 3 to 4 weeks seems a poor return in investment of time.

Also trying to understand the science bit of 'more sugar must surely equal more alcohol volume'

H12rpo wrote:Yeah that's what I thought but if after 2/3 weeks I add say a kilo more sugar......surely that would raise the abv? After all it would continue to ferment with the yeast converting the sugar.

Can I not make a 20% wash (perhaps with something other than a sugar wash) and get 4 to 5 litres of distillate from a 25 litre wash ?

Well you can, just be prepared for quite a bit of faffing around along the way, plus when you think you've reached your goal, more faff to get something palatable from the still.....

Talking wine making here, I've managed to get up to 20% mark with staggered sugar additions - it took quite a bit of manipulation to achieve, so much so that I never bothered to try and replicate the result.
Was it you who raised this topic recently in another thread?

Of course, you can always go the dreaded Turdbo route

By and large, Robert's word above says it all. Sound advice there.

On another thread? Did I? Dunno ....little bit squiffed after whisky essence neutral from my last run

I see that turbo yeast claims a higher abv percentage but also that many people dislike it .....I'm not sure why though? Is it that you HAVE to use carbon after ferment or is there some other reason? I've read that it can cause bad flavours but with the T500 only producing neutral is that an issue?

It's finding a balance that works for you.

Turbo's can produce off flavours and are more expensive. But higher ABV.

Naturals are generally cleaner tasting, cheaper but lower ABV.

Your choice.
I bought another fermenter. And use a freezer.

Been reading this thread and its like a Rugby match.
Turbos on the left and Kale on the right.
They are both good but totally different.
TURBO Fast, efficient powerful,Foul smelling and expensive
KALE Slow Steedy, SMooth, Cheap Quality and neutral.
H12RPO Easy answer to your problem, more washes.

I have just stilled 3x Kale 25l.
Cost me £ 9.70 in total.
£ 9.70 For 13.72 ltrs of good sweet neutral { Vodka}
I rest my case mi lud.

13.72 litres from 3 x25 litre washes is ok.......I'd settle for that but I only got 2.5 ish litres from my last 25 litre kale wash with the t500 that's a load less than you got.
Unless your 13.72 litres was after letting down to 40%???

I think it is implicit that that is the case, let down quantities.

Your best bet may be multiple, or larger fermenters, to up your production.

I sometimes have up to 6 x 25 litres running, usually only 2 or 3.
I can only drink so much!

Robert.