Satan's Wash

Many like to post about a first successful ferment (or first all grain mash), or first still built/bought or first good run of the still. Tell us about all of these great times here.
Pics are VERY welcome, we drool over pretty copper 8)

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bearriver
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Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

I didnt use a tried and true recipe and I failed miserably, meaning that I deserved what I got. So after a sacrifice run, I made a spirit run. Heres how that went. (Birdwatcher shopping tomorrow)

Mash was white sugar, LD Carlson yeast nutrient (urea & dap), LD Carlson "yeast energizer" , and Red Star DADY. Potential abv of 9% 50 gals total. 10 day ferment and 2 day clear. The mash smells a little like tequila and a nasty stench I have never known. Initial fast ferment until the Ph dropped below 3.4 on the 3rd day and the foam cap fell. The airlock slowed way down. After which I added vast amounts of baking soda to get the ph back up to 4.2-4.3. Seven days later final SG was reached, and I cooled her off to clear. 72° F constant before clearing.

First 12 gals was in the detuned bok, 130 proof straight down the toilet. Smelled like satans bowels.

The 2nd 12 gals was in reflux with packing. I collected around a gallon of 90%+. The foreshots are nuclear waste. Everything else smells like this weird chemical. I cant even describe it. Similar to tequila but definitely NOT tequila.

Now I have a bunch of 90%+ abv piss. I cant explain how nasty this stuff smells from heads to tails. Pure hate.

All my copper smelled like this nastiness as well till I patiently rinsed it out (cold tap water worked far better than hot) Unfortunately the copper/stainless scrubbers never got the stink out. Tried cold and hot water rinse, acid bath, boil, repeat...

Im chucking the packing, everything I collected, and the remaining 25 gals of Satan's wash.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by OlympicMtDoo »

Wow that doesn't sound to good. Not sure why everything went that far south on you but maybe your yeast and the nutrients. Man if you're going to experiment do a little smaller batch :shock: If you follow the birdwatchers recipe exactly it will not fail, I do not use an air lock and have never had any issues.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by rad14701 »

I've never been that fond of chemical washes, which is what you were running... No actual food for the yeast like cereal, fruit, grain, tomato paste, etc... Just chemicals... You'll do better with Birdwatchers, I'm sure...

As for the scrubbers, what brand were you using and were they copper, or stainless steel...??? There are a lot of plated scrubbers and even some that state 100% aren't...

Keep at it and things will improve...
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by drinkingdog »

There's a good reason why recipes are in the tried and true section. You really have to screw something up to fail. Follow them to a tee and you won't go wrong
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by John Barleycorn »

Emphasis added
bearriver wrote:I added vast amounts of baking soda to get the ph back up to 4.2-4.3.
Do some research on baking soda. That's the most likely culprit.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Jimbo »

Why are you playing around with new recipe's 50 gallons at a time? :wtf:
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by ga flatwoods »

Textbooks do not contain all the answers do they Siri? Rad should have got on your ass for making 50 gallon batches anyway but probably didn't want to upset his "Mini me" :shock: :wtf:
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

The Scrubbers are SS (3M) and the copper ones are off brand cheapos made in china. The copper I am completely suspect of.

I made such a large batch for a few reasons. First it didnt cost much more than time.

Second I figured it should be around enough so that I could do a large cleaning run, and then 3 stripping runs for 1 full charge of low wines. 40 gals of 9% should be needed for a 12 gallon charge of low wines.

I was hoping to reflux the 12 gallons or so of LW that I stripped down to 40%.

Anyways I'm gonna make a 40 gal of birdwatchers. Unless that seems like to much for a hobbiest and a beer keg boiler?....

If Rad should have got on my ass about the 50 gal wash, I would like to know why, (other than the obvious that it failed). I really don't to wanna rock the boat out there or give anyone the wrong idea of what I am doing.
Last edited by bearriver on Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:29 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Jimbo »

LOL. Rad shoulda yelled at ya for trying to take 46 shortcuts all crammed into one run too.

40 gal of birdwatchers up next eh :wtf: Here try this yeast in it.... http://www.love2brew.com/ECY-BugCounty- ... lyec20.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Youre gonna be a good source of amusement around here. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your writeups.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

Yup 40 gals. It'll either be great, or a learning experience. 40 gals of BW should make a nice full charge of 40% for a neutral run, I would think.

Im gonna research that yeast you recommended Jimbo. Thanks

Folks are really happy with bakers yeast round here, so I'm probably gonna use that on my first BW.
Last edited by bearriver on Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:05 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Truckinbutch »

Jimbo wrote:LOL. Rad shoulda yelled at ya for trying to take 46 shortcuts all crammed into one run too.

40 gal of birdwatchers up next eh :wtf: Here try this yeast in it.... http://www.love2brew.com/ECY-BugCounty- ... lyec20.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Youre gonna be a good source of amusement around here. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your writeups.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Jimbo »

bearriver wrote: Im gonna research that yeast you recommended Jimbo. Thanks.
The yeast was a joke (teasing you). Dont use it. But look at them list of bugs in it. THey dont call it bug country for nuthin. Thats for an uber sour belgian style beer.

Ive got a cherry lambic beer I did up with a belgian yeast strain, Peddiococcus and Lactobacillus cultures and 2 Brettenomyces strains. It curls the tongue a little.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

It was funny. I laughed after my post and looking at your link. Thought it looked alot like the beneficial bacteria soup that some put in ponds and hydro gardens.

Hrmmmm.....that beer does sound good. Love a beer you can actually taste.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Hound Dog »

I have to say, I made Wino's Sugar wash before because of the simplicity. It came out sort of OK but had that tequila taste you refer to. For a neutral or vodka I now do the All Bran but use Frosted Mini Wheats for the cereal and it comes out fantastic.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by cotton mouth Samson »

If your looking for a new yeast I have had really good results from bsg dry active distillers yeast (dady) I get it for 6.99 a pound from (no joke) hyvee I've done 15 gals of birdwatchers and 5 gal of wineos it takes off like a rocket especially in the wineos I've also used it a couple of times to make ginger ale also turned out very nice
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Jimbo »

LOL, Distillers yeast available at the grocery store in Missouri??? :wtf: Thats freakin awesome
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by lampshade »

Hound Dog wrote:I have to say, I made Wino's Sugar wash before because of the simplicity. It came out sort of OK but had that tequila taste you refer to. For a neutral or vodka I now do the All Bran but use Frosted Mini Wheats for the cereal and it comes out fantastic.
Hi Hound Dog,

Did the tequila taste come through the spirit run?

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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Hound Dog »

lampshade wrote:
Hound Dog wrote:I have to say, I made Wino's Sugar wash before because of the simplicity. It came out sort of OK but had that tequila taste you refer to. For a neutral or vodka I now do the All Bran but use Frosted Mini Wheats for the cereal and it comes out fantastic.
Hi Hound Dog,

Did the tequila taste come through the spirit run?

Lamp
Yes it did. It wasn't too strong so it hid well when cut with some fruit juice. I don't know why it had that taste when everyone claimed it to be very neutral recipe.After that I went with an All Bran wash and did not experience the problem so I haven't done a straight sugar wash again. My real goal was to make a vodka that my wife would like. Since she likes Skyy and it is wheat based I tried using Frosted Mini Wheats in the recipe and it came out quite good. You know, it makes playing around with the hobby much easier if you can please the wife also. :thumbup: Now I am experimenting with other recipes. :clap:
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by CockyRocky »

bearriver wrote: The mash smells a little like tequila...
On my first run of Gerber, the end product smelled like tequila. Since that was supposed to be a neutral wash I didn't quite know what to do with it. So I rubber-banded some cut up coffee filter pieces to the open top of the bottles and let it "air out" for a few days. This definitely seemed to tame the tequila smell down. Then I blended it and it tasted "pretty much" like any other shine I had ever had, with maybe just a hint of the tequila taste.

As hard as it apparently is to produce tequila at the hobby level, I'm thinkin you shoulda let that hooch air out and age a lil...
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Black Eye »

ga flatwoods wrote: Rad should have got on your ass for making 50 gallon batches anyway but probably didn't want to upset his "Mini me" :shock: :wtf:
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I'm kinda surprised by this myself.... I've been scolded for less.

I'd start with smaller batches... Personally I'd never do more than 10-15 gallon mashes at a time. That makes more than enough for my personal consumption. I'm actually down grading my set up so I can play around with testing some new stuff I've been dreaming up.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Ga_goat »

bearriver , Iv you want a 40/50 gal wash there is nothing wrong with that , If you want to experiment with a batch
or 2 just try a little more moderation or sticking a little closer to something tried and true , but 50 gal ,, there is nothing wrong with that just remember that some true poisons are / were also distilled ,, and they generaly tell out of what !!!!!
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

Yeah, in hindsight it was a poor choice to discuss it. Everyones situation is different. What would be reasonable for one family, would be unreasonable to another. In my case, my family is generally a pack of alcoholics. When we host sunday dinner, the drinks go fast. Most of us live on the same street, so there are no drunk drivers.

But then again, anyone can say whatever they want. It doesnt make it true. I apologize for my lack of good judgment.
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Ga_goat »

I sort of understand where you are coming from ,, here almost no one drinks and a pint will last 3 or 4 months , but
I have always messed with it and always will , they would probably call my methods crazy ,, that's why I've always kept it to myself I use all malted corn , no yeast , no sugar , just malt the corn ( sometimes chicken scratch feed ) dry it grind it and run it , 15.5 keg still with a 30" liebig no thumper , 1 run will net me all I need and some to share .
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Truckinbutch »

bearriver wrote:Yeah, in hindsight it was a poor choice to discuss it. Everyones situation is different. What would be reasonable for one family, would be unreasonable to another. In my case, my family is generally a pack of alcoholics. When we host sunday dinner, the drinks go fast. Most of us live on the same street, so there are no drunk drivers.

But then again, anyone can say whatever they want. It doesnt make it true. I apologize for my lack of good judgment.
I face the same production size vs family consumption issue and ferment sizes designed to accommodate those needs . Family gathering at my house Friday evening pretty much devastated 7 quarts of various berry flavors . That represented about 7 weeks of effort on my part . Little rough on my goal to leave some really aged stuff in the back of the cellar as my legacy to the family when I'm gone . From when I started posting here to date I got 5 quarts aged hid in the back of the cellar that I refuse to bring out .
Two edged sword . I must be doing it right for them to want to consume it / vs how do I establish an aged reserve as a legacy . Make more likker and limit my invitations to family is the only plan I've struck on .
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

I forgot to mention that Satan's wash was also used as an effective co2 generator in my indoor food and herb garden. Not a penny wasted, even though I dumped it on my drain field.

Large ferments are sometimes used as co2 generators. They are perfectly reasonable for a gardener who plans on dumping down the drain in the first place. A few of my friends of mine do fermenting co2 generators. They had no clue they were making alcohol or why it got "clear". :) The airlock is just perforated tubing that spands the garden beds.

(They typically go turbo however, overpriced indoor garden supply garbage)
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Re: Satan's Wash

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Ga_goat wrote:I sort of understand where you are coming from ,, here almost no one drinks and a pint will last 3 or 4 months , but
I have always messed with it and always will , they would probably call my methods crazy ,, that's why I've always kept it to myself I use all malted corn , no yeast , no sugar , just malt the corn ( sometimes chicken scratch feed ) dry it grind it and run it , 15.5 keg still with a 30" liebig no thumper , 1 run will net me all I need and some to share .
You posted this as I was typing my post and it proves my point . Personal production is based on personal need for family/friends . Heavier drinking is done here . 3 people in my circle could inhale a pint between them in about 4 minutes . Trying to imagine a pint being shared for 3-4 months makes me wonder why bother . No offense intended . Just that at that consumption rate you could get the same out of a daily dose of many mouth washes without the expense/hassles of distilling .
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Truckinbutch »

bearriver wrote:I forgot to mention that Satan's wash was also used as an effective co2 generator in my indoor food and herb garden. Not a penny wasted, even though I dumped it on my drain field.

Large ferments are sometimes used as co2 generators. They are perfectly reasonable for a gardener who plans on dumping down the drain in the first place. A few of my friends of mine do fermenting co2 generators. They had no clue they were making alcohol or why it got "clear". :) The airlock is just perforated tubing that spands the garden beds.

(They typically go turbo however, overpriced indoor garden supply garbage)
So you have the potential to show them a new and better way . Convince them to do your fermenting for you and you will gracious enough to dispose of the 'waste' when the ferments are done :ebiggrin:
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by bearriver »

I KNOW, its genius. I wouldnt want to distill that much wash though. They always have a large amout fermenting, would be even more if kept under 14% abv.

I got other things I like to do to. Fornication is a goodin. Plus I only want what I will use.

You make a fine point back there. How much do I have to make for me, my family, and to age?? Its all personal. Legacy is also a very serious concern....
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Ga_goat »

Trying to imagine a pint being shared for 3-4 months makes me wonder why bother .
My leftovers gets me invited to some real good parties . I don't use that much but I have friends who do ,
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Re: Satan's Wash

Post by Hound Dog »

Truckinbutch wrote:
Ga_goat wrote:I sort of understand where you are coming from ,, here almost no one drinks and a pint will last 3 or 4 months , but
I have always messed with it and always will , they would probably call my methods crazy ,, that's why I've always kept it to myself I use all malted corn , no yeast , no sugar , just malt the corn ( sometimes chicken scratch feed ) dry it grind it and run it , 15.5 keg still with a 30" liebig no thumper , 1 run will net me all I need and some to share .
You posted this as I was typing my post and it proves my point . Personal production is based on personal need for family/friends . Heavier drinking is done here . 3 people in my circle could inhale a pint between them in about 4 minutes . Trying to imagine a pint being shared for 3-4 months makes me wonder why bother . No offense intended . Just that at that consumption rate you could get the same out of a daily dose of many mouth washes without the expense/hassles of distilling .
LOL! I have to agree with TB and BR! My wife and I can put a good hurting on a fifth of 90 proof on a Friday night. We usually hit it on Friday and Saturday and abstain from drinking during the week. It's surprising because it was more when we were drinking commercial swill! Seems clean ethanol does the job a lot better. And then there are the friends that wrinkle their noses at moonshine until they taste it...... Strawberry Panty Dropper can go quickly in a crowd. I just could not deal with constantly distilling little runs. I would rather knock some out and relax a bit.
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