First run

[Lko67]

Got all my cleaning runs done and put down my first ferment. Birdwatchers.
8 1/2 gallons water
14pounds sugar
1 12oz can tomato paste
Juice of one lemon
1 oz Fleishman yeast
Ph at 6.25
Ferment temp 75 degrees
Does this sound good any input welcome

[NZChris]

Why do you have it colder than is recommended?
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5018

[Lko67]

Have it in a spare bedroom no heater in the fermenter just room thermostat (electric) don't want to raise the electric bill to high lol
You think it will be ok at that temp?

[Pikey]

Lol - any yeast that can't cope with 75 degrees wants swapping for a proper one !

[HDNB]

i run AG on bakers yeast all the time at lower temps and they finish no problem in 4 days for the most part and definitely by 7 days which is usually the earliest get around to running them anyway.

[Lko67]

Thanks for the input
Sg was 1.07 quess I'll see how she goes

[Still Life]

Lko,
I got some of these for my bakers' yeast runs in my cool basement: http://www.brewhaus.com/Brew-Belt.aspx
Every once in a while I'll forget to put one in place and it only draws the ferment out to about 7 days compared to 4 to 5 with one on.

Only 25-watts, so it doesn't break the bank on electricity.

[Shine0n]

75f won't hurt much but take a little longer.
All in all sounds good

I'll recommend that when you're at pitching (yeast) time have your temp around 85-90f and wrap some old blankets around the fermenter to retain the heat. Bakers can handle pretty high temp but will stress them if too high. This will help with ferment times.

Keep up the good work,
Shine0n

[Lko67]

Thanks still life, I'll look into that. I think that would be better than aquarium heater
Shine on pitch temp was about 90 degrees never gave it a thought about wrapping it. Guess I was to excited to get it going haha

[Lko67]

Well will be running tomorrow. Sg. Down to 1.00 and has not changed in two days anxious to see how it goes will post when done then going to try tried and true sweet feed see how that goes I can see I,need to get a heater blanket to speedup ferment.

[Lko67]

Ran yesterday, threw out first half pint then collected 4 half pints, they were 150 down to 145, then collected 11 pints Grimm 142 proof down to 60, no problems worked really good
Airing out now then will pick best and rest will go in another run till I got sugar down good then gonna try sweet feed
Only thing that happened was proof hydrometer got broke, they sure don't like any sideways pressure at all haha should have bought 2

[Shine0n]

Congrats on a successful run!!!
Sugar wash won't give you much flavor BUTTTT, it has given you some experience that's never taken away.

Make some apple pie, lemon aid and some strawberry panty dropper with it.
If you like you can always add the sf or corn to it to make a sugarhead whiskey.
I use dark brown sugar for my sf, it has a nice buttery flavor and it's pretty good too.

Congrats again and welcome to the deeeeep rabbit hole!
Shine0n

[Still Life]

Nothing like a successful first run. Congratulations.
Now the pathway is open and there's nothing but blue sky ahead.
Keep your methods straight and stay safe.

[Lko67]

Gonna but another sugar ferment down next week will be away for a week then run when I get back gonna run sugars until I feel comfortable then on to whiskey. Want to try a bourbon soon