Minimum mash size for keg boiler

[dapperdiver]

Hey all,

I've been running with a small chinese pot still, and just upgraded to a keg boiler. I made a 5 gallon wash to do some rum, and was unsure if the 5 gallons is too little to run through the much larger 15 gallon boiler. Aditionally, if I do a stripping run and get say 2.5-3 gallons of low wines, is that enough to allow the still to run, or should I be doing 10 gallon washes? I was having a hard time with the googling so figured I'd pick the HD brain.


Thanks for reading

[Deplorable]

A good rule of thumb is 3X the boiler size for your fermenter. You'll get 3 stripping runs that should yeild a full boiler charge of low wines for your spirit run.
My fermenter is a 32 gallon Brute trash can. My boiler is 13 gallons. On grain ferments I get 2 stripping runs, and a 5 to 7 gallons of low wines for the spirit run.
2.5 gallons of low wines would be a small charge in a keg. I wouldn't bother, I'd set it aside and make another two or three buckets of wash to strip. Saving the low wines until I had enough low wines for at least a 5 gallon spirit run.
If you're on electric heat be mindful of your element and the remaining liquid level needed to keep it submerged.

[dapperdiver]

Thank you!!

Was floundering a bit lol. Also WOW I didn't realize I just jumped into the big leauges. Seems like I'm going to the big box store later lol.

A few questions/ clarifications if your willing.

1. Below it seems you get 6ish gallons of low wines from a 30 gallon wash. so a 20% ish yeild is normal?
2. I live in a warm climate, any recommendation on long term cooling of a wash? (trashcan would have to be in the garage)
3. in order to use the 6 gallon fermenters I currently have, would a 10 gallon wash w/out a stripping run be reasonable?

[Deplorable]

Thank you!!

Was floundering a bit lol. Also WOW I didn't realize I just jumped into the big leauges. Seems like I'm going to the big box store later lol.

A few questions/ clarifications if your willing.

1. Below it seems you get 6ish gallons of low wines from a 30 gallon wash. so a 20% ish yeild is normal? consider the abv of the wash is 10% when you strip the initial charge you are condensing the alcohol content to about 30%. The spirit run, on a pot still should bring your combined keep jars abv to around 65 to 70%
2. I live in a warm climate, any recommendation on long term cooling of a wash? (trashcan would have to be in the garage) use a yeast suitable for your ambient temps so you don't have to cool it. Or ferment in the winter.
3. in order to use the 6 gallon fermenters I currently have, would a 10 gallon wash w/out a stripping run be reasonable? You'll get a better product running it twice, and actually save time

Have a read through the required reading links at the bottom of the page here. It will save you a lot of time, and you'll have a better understanding of the processes.

[30xs]

Hey all,

I've been running with a small chinese pot still, and just upgraded to a keg boiler. I made a 5 gallon wash to do some rum, and was unsure if the 5 gallons is too little to run through the much larger 15 gallon boiler. Aditionally, if I do a stripping run and get say 2.5-3 gallons of low wines, is that enough to allow the still to run, or should I be doing 10 gallon washes? I was having a hard time with the googling so figured I'd pick the HD brain.


Thanks for reading

You don’t say if your using electric or propane heat. I agree with a ferment large enough to do three strips and a spirit run. The deciding factor on “if” 2.5-3 gallons is enough to run depends on if you can keep your element covered, electric, or no problem if propane fired.

I must ask why you would want a larger boiler if you want to run the same size ferment? Do yourself a favor and upsize the fermenter and reap the rewards of a larger “keep” cut on the final run. It’s easier to toss a questionable jar to feints when you have a larger keep window due to the volume alone.

[Demy]

I usually run small batches and have at least 2 boiler sizes to choose from as it really depends on what you distil and how much you want to produce. I recommend keeping both boilers and making sure you put the same column in both so you can choose. A lot of guys here brew large quantities but you have to decide on the size that fits your needs.

[dapperdiver]

You don’t say if your using electric or propane heat. I agree with a ferment large enough to do three strips and a spirit run. The deciding factor on “if” 2.5-3 gallons is enough to run depends on if you can keep your element covered, electric, or no problem if propane fired. Currently propane, but will go electric once I can find a welder in my area.

I must ask why you would want a larger boiler if you want to run the same size ferment? Do yourself a favor and upsize the fermenter and reap the rewards of a larger “keep” cut on the final run. It’s easier to toss a questionable jar to feints when you have a larger keep window due to the volume alone. In all honesty I think I'm just used to the 5 gallon size from beer brewing. I'm excited about the larger volumes just need to figure out how to mash in that much grain with my current 5 gallon brew system. Additionally seemed like the larger boiler gives me more options with still design/ things I can make. I figured after learning on the cheap one I'd want to try my hand at building a ccvm.

Thanks for clarifying the smaller volume question. I'm currently fermenting a rum wash in a 5 gallon, so I think I'll double it, strip it and then run that before moving to the "trash can" size.

[Twisted Brick]

Hey dd,

You might consider acquiring a second keg (keggle) to mash in. Once the mash is completed, simply cool, pitch yeast and ferment. A stainless keg is bulletproof, easy to keep clean, and accommodates 12.5gal all-grain mashes that translate to 3gal of low wines.

Good luck with your upgrades.

Twisted Brick