New fermenter

[Corps012588]

Woop. Just ordered myself a new fermenter.
Instead of cluttering up the kitchen with 2 25ltr buckets
Just this 60ltr now.
Out of curiosity if I did a 50ltr wash with vodka star would I use 2 packs or would one suffice?

[Icefever]

There's an old adage which says if you ask ten brewers the same question you will receive eleven different opinions..

If I was doing this I think I'd go for both packets, this Q is asked on brewing forums and the A is...one packet will take longer to get going as the yeast has to build its numbers up before it gets to work.

You could make a big starter from one packet then when that's ready pitch it into your 50 liters.

[chill]

I agree that making a yeast start will likely have the best results.

[Easydrinker]

I tried biting my tongue here,as you can see it didn't work!
I like the size of your new fermenting vessel,dislike the colour.
I personally find white ones better for the initial rack,as a torch shone through the bottom helps find the lees,and give better separation.
I hope it works for you and wish you well with it.

I suspect,never having tried,that a single pack of vodka star will finish a 50 litre wash a few days later,but will work,and patience is everything,and it's own reward.

Robert.

[Icefever]

You may find this of interest. here about yeast.

[Corps012588]

Thanks guys.
I would have loved a white one but they only had blue and for £23 I thought it was worth a go.
What I think I might do is make up the wash in the barrel then remove 4ltrs and put in a Demi.
Add the yeast to this and when it gets going add it back to the barrel.
Does this sound ok?

[Capt-Cudellez]

I don't use VS but have found one packet is fine for a 50l wash when using Alcotek48. I do airiate the wash with an air stone before pitching.

If I didn't have an air pump and air stone, then I'd definitely pitch a starter.

Btw, I'm using 10kg sugar per 50l.

[Corps012588]

That's fantastic capt.
Just need to mark 50ltr's on the side when I get it.
Or do you just go by the calc with 10kg into 43.85?
Also I'm thinking maybe go
11kg sugar
Water to make 55ltr
Large muslin bag with about 3kg of flakes corn in to give some
Flavour.
The extra 5ltr is just to allow for the corn absorbing liquid.
How does this sound?

[Capt-Cudellez]

I don't get too hung up about it, the sugar goes in first, then boiling water. I just add cold and hot till the temp and sg is where I want it to be.

I'm sure you will be fine with 11kg. I personally dont like using the a bag in the wash, as it gets all sticky and is something else that needs to be washes, I just use a coarse filter (bucket with holes and slots cut in it) to take out the big stuff.

The large funnel I use for filling my keg has a drop in filter too to take care of any smaller bits.


I found with those barrels that they don't really seal air tight (mine didn't any way), so fitting an air lock is pointless. So just fit the lids without the ring clamp.

[Corps012588]

Wow! That is one heck of a funnel!
I have to admit I did wonder if these barrels are actually airtight.