Search found 2298 matches

by MitchyBourbon
Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:53 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Growing Yeast Steve?
Replies: 28
Views: 8727

Re: Growing Yeast Steve?

[/u] I am not looking into yeast harvesting from mashes/turb, or yeast storage or developing my own yeast or wild yeasts etc. There is a load of information on these subjects already, but I have found it difficult enough to get good quality information on how I can get a small pack of shop bought y...
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:22 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Pitching yeast
Replies: 9
Views: 2539

Re: Pitching yeast

Keep in mind, if you are using dry yeast it is a good idea to rehydrate with plain water. Dry yeast cells are like sponges. When they are put into a liquid they can't help absorbing everything including dissolved sugar. Imagine if you absorbed a taco through your skin... it would probably kill you.
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:42 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Can't get it to start?
Replies: 30
Views: 5566

Re: Can't get it to start?

Sorry Rad, I would like to add one more bit as I think it is important. I do aerate. I usually take the water and sugar and mix, then pour back and forth between two 5 gallon buckets about 10 times, then wait about half an hour and add the raisins, then yeast the next morning. This is a problem. Oxy...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:41 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

skow69 wrote:Lol. Anybody else? So far mine is the only trial, and it shows the procedure is meaningless.
So you've taken a trial... that was mighty fast. We are all waiting for your results.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:28 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

And explain it so everyone can understand.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:26 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

Why don't you back that up with some results. Numb nuts.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:14 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

No need to.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 9:15 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

If he took a gravity reading before boiling and subtracted what was left he could give you the answer, numb nuts.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:21 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

You boil away whatever alcohol is in the sample add an equal amount of water. Now when you take a gravity reading, you are getting a reading that measures only what's left. And that would be fermentable and unfermentable sugars. The water that is added because if you boiled off half the sample the f...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 4:40 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash
Replies: 89
Views: 15664

Re: Help- No alcohol in my corn wash

Finally, I haven't a clue why you pulled a sample and boiled it off, adding water back to it to check for alcohol. That is not how its done. Unless this was an attempt to measure the OG after the fact that fermentation had progressed. If you didn't measure the OG, at least check the specific gravit...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:51 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Why does ABV remain the same without restabilizing?
Replies: 12
Views: 2095

Re: Why does ABV remain the same without restabilizing?

Once you've "stacked" your column and drawn off the fores and heads, then you should be clear of them, even if you shutdown and restart later. A VM (CCVM too) will compress the tails to the end as well, so when you restart later the tails are still there...just later. ss That makes sense ...
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:44 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: 1lb. Sugar = 1lb. converted Corn ..?
Replies: 9
Views: 3040

Re: 1lb. Sugar = 1lb. converted Corn ..?

Looks like raisins and garlic are quite high. Maybe someone who's not me should try a raisin garlic combo brandy. I bet chick's would dig that.
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:37 am
Forum: Sugar
Topic: 1lb. Sugar = 1lb. converted Corn ..?
Replies: 9
Views: 3040

Re: 1lb. Sugar = 1lb. converted Corn ..?

shadylane posted this link: http://howtobrew.com/book/section-2/what-is-malted-grain/table-of-typical-malt-yields" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Nice list. And here is another list, this one has a few more adjuncts. http://beersmith.com/Grains/Grai...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:38 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Types of sugar
Replies: 59
Views: 49749

Re: Types of sugar

Is this a trick question?

Raw sugar is what's left after sugar cane juice has been stripped to remove the natural molasses and other impurities. It has very little molasses.

Commercial brown sugar is table sugar with a little molasses added to it. It has a little more molasses. 4.5% - 10%.
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:44 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Aging Wash to Perfection
Replies: 15
Views: 2708

Re: Aging Wash to Perfection

This may account at least partly for what you are experiencing: During the growth phase (yeast reproduction), yeast produce diacetyl. It is one of the major vicinal diketones produced during fermentation and I'm not talking about alternative rock bands. If enough is produced it begins to smell and t...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:25 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Poll on distilling feints (heads and tails) with pot still
Replies: 34
Views: 6013

Re: Poll on distilling feints (heads and tails) with pot sti

Anything that don't make the cut gets tossed. I got no use for it. Lol, militant! :thumbup: Gotta admit, I sorta feel the same way. I have been saving heads and tails in a jug, but not with any real intention of doing much with them. I am able to make enough in one shot to last six months, so it do...
by MitchyBourbon
Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:46 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Poll on distilling feints (heads and tails) with pot still
Replies: 34
Views: 6013

Re: Poll on distilling feints (heads and tails) with pot sti

My option ain't there.

Anything that don't make the cut gets tossed. I got no use for it.
by MitchyBourbon
Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:57 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Distilling Partner
Replies: 20
Views: 2727

Re: Distilling Partner

Here's my still partner, he's a golden doodle and a total cargo cultist. He will do anything if he thinks it will make him look like a human. If you tell him to sit, he finds a chair and he sits in it.


http://homedistiller.org/forum/download ... p?id=35108
by MitchyBourbon
Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Distilling advice
Replies: 70
Views: 7134

Re: Distilling advice

... The resulting nasty taste will induce your gag reflex and make people think "moonshine". ... That is a matter of opinion. I single distill with a pot still, put the foreshots in the windshield washer of my car, collect down to 15%, mix it all together and put it through my wine aerato...
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:44 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: NO turboyeast
Replies: 16
Views: 2367

Re: NO turboyeast

Welcome to HD distilling_dk, What other yeasts do you use? The yeast I choose depends what I am making and the results I am going for. If I am making a sugar head for something that I want to have a neutral flavor then I use bakers or the like. I also use bakers or a wine yeast with a low ester prof...
by MitchyBourbon
Sat Jul 30, 2016 7:02 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Quantity changes in a mash
Replies: 4
Views: 1010

Re: Quantity changes in a mash

An increase in grain in relation to water translates to an increase in viscosity. Enzymes need to circulate to convert starches to sugar. It will take longer to get a good conversion but a may not be all that noticeable. I have mashed with 3 lbs of grain per gallon without too much trouble. Beyond t...
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:56 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Making Starter vs fermenting - what's the difference?
Replies: 12
Views: 2945

Re: Making Starter vs fermenting - what's the difference?

Then I add 2 liters water and 6 Oz LME and turn on the stir plate again. After the second day I decant again and then I'm ready to pitch... batter up! MB I've taken a lot of my yeast info from you and was wondering why the second run of LME? Is this to increase the colony #'s further, or condition ...
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:53 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Making Starter vs fermenting - what's the difference?
Replies: 12
Views: 2945

Re: Making Starter vs fermenting - what's the difference?

I get confused about how a yeast starter works vs a ferment. If I want to grow some yeast to do a larger ferment, I guess I start out making a starter. If I take a quart of water and add 1/2 cup sugar and then add a packet of yeast, why would this produce yeast vs turning the sugar into alcohol? Wh...
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:39 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

Big temp swings aren't good for fermentation. If the package your yeast came from states a preferred temp range, I would use it and try to keep it steady.
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:16 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

Yup, just give it time and maintain even temp control as indicated by the yeast you are using. When the air lock stops bubbling you can take a gravity reading. Then wait a day and take another reading. When the gravity stops going lower your ready to distill.
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:17 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

If it shows that no starches are present then you know your enzymes are still active. ??? Mitchy, are you suggesting that the enzymes would be expired, or denatured, at mash temps? The general line of thinking here has been that the enzymes will be present to convert starches to sugars indefinitely...
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

skow69 wrote:This might be helpful. I find it easier to read on a white background. Just a blob on a white plate works.
+1 :D
by MitchyBourbon
Mon Jul 25, 2016 3:53 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

@ njurbanshiner That is an excellent example of an iodine test showing a complete conversion. Well done! That said, I'm sure as you gain experience with mashing, you will eventually not bother with doing an iodine test. Many here, myself included, don't bother. Also, if you want to know if your enzy...
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:52 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: It's the 21st century fer cryin' out loud !!! WTF ?
Replies: 89
Views: 8459

Re: It's the 21st century fer cryin' out loud !!! WTF ?

My son was almost turned into one of those "illiterates". When he was in 2nd grade his teacher told us he was not learning to read, write or do math. I told her that we were reading to him at home and that he seemed very enthusiastic about reading on his own. But she said that I was wrong ...
by MitchyBourbon
Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:43 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fermentation Problems
Replies: 47
Views: 5206

Re: Fermentation Problems

Also on my earlier question about the saccharometer...is it reading starch too or just sugar? If it's measure starch too how do I know if I have usable sugar in the mash? Learn how to do an iodine test. It will tell you if you have done a decent conversion and it will tell you before it is too late...