Any neutral wash recipies

firefly · Post by **firefly** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:31 am

Looked at the Tried and True recipies section and I didn't find any recipies for a simple neutral wash using sugar...
There is the Birdwatcher's sugar wash recipe, but it is for 80 Litres...

So for us newbies, that have 30 litre fermenters and distillers,
maybe someone can share a recipe...

Im trying to convert the 80 litre Birdwatcher recipe to a 30 litre recipe and my math doesn't work out as of yet....

After doing a few runs, i'll feel more comfortable doing a whiskey or rum recipe...

P.S: yes I read the parent site and did a search...

.

modul8 · Post by **modul8** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:51 am

1 cup tomato paste
1 lemon
5 kg sugar
Make to 25 litres
Yeast

You don't need to be too exact when it comes to the sugar wash, just try for your starting SG of 1.09.

birdwatcher · Post by **birdwatcher** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:31 am

Modul is correct.

If you are are using my recipe, FYI, I began with a starting SG of 1.06 on my last wash. Much quicker to completion.

This was John Stone's starting recommendation in his book Making Gin and Vodka.

Some will argue that this starting SG gives a better product. Your choice.

I also took the wash to completion without racking into airlocked carboys. No problems.

Again, your choice.

Good luck and keep us posted as you progress.

G

firefly · Post by **firefly** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:37 am

as for the yeast.....im guessing it is a wine yeast??...

modul8 · Post by **modul8** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:27 am

birdwatcher wrote: If you are are using my recipe, FYI, I began with a starting SG of 1.06 on my last wash. Much quicker to completion.

I'm going to have to try that. Mine are taking a while.

firefly, just about any yeast will probably do, however I am using ec1118 which I believe is a champagne yeast.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:33 am

the ec1118 will do just fine .. it may be a little slow but cant stand a little higher Alcoh. tollerence I never go more that 15 percent myself.

modul8 · Post by **modul8** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:44 am

new_moonshiner wrote:the ec1118 will do just fine .. it may be a little slow but cant stand a little higher Alcoh. tollerence I never go more that 15 percent myself.

I'm aiming for about 14.5 (15kg made up to 60l). The weather is only just warming up though so I expect it to move along a bit faster now.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:57 am

maybe a little insulation around ya fermineter ??

modul8 · Post by **modul8** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:03 am

yeah, I have taken to wrapping it in beach towels at night. Its not a huge problem, just getting impatient

I've been complaining its too cold at night lately, but I'll have to start looking at ways to keep things cool soon

But I do like summer........

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:15 am

Sounds like you got it all under control good luck with the wash

birdwatcher · Post by **birdwatcher** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:25 am

firefly wrote:as for the yeast.....im guessing it is a wine yeast??...

If this question was to me, the answer is fresh bakers yeast. Buy at any good health food store.

Cheers,

G

Rudi · Post by **Rudi** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:56 pm

The last sugar wash I did was started at 1.07 I used fresh bakers yeast and it worked out to.990 in six days.I used a cup of tomatoe paste and the juice of one lemon as per B.W's recipie I also added a pinch of epsom salts (thanks Wineo )this is the best result I've had to date.

Firebird · Post by **Firebird** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:17 pm

Add 5lbs white sugar to fermenter. Add 1 gallon hot tap water. Swish it around to dissolve the sugar a bit. Add 2 gallons cold tap water. Add 2 Tablespoons dry baking yeast. Let it ferment 2 weeks. Simple but it works.

Rudi · Post by **Rudi** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:25 pm

Firebird wrote: Simple but it works.

It'd still be simple and work ALOT better if you added some nutrients(tomatoe paste and epsom salts) and adjusted the ph a little(lemon juice)

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:37 pm

Diammonium phosphate... yeast hulls... mollasses.... tomato paste... orange juice concentrate.... needs nutrients for sure... sugar water alone will not ferment very well.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:19 pm

junkyard dawg, does the Oj Concentrate really help ? other than neuts. some say it helps with suspension I have not tried the OJ ..thought maybe you were speaking from experience...

Post by **HookLine** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:14 pm

If you are going to use OJ, make sure it is unfiltered, and preservative free.

birdwatcher · Post by **birdwatcher** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:14 am

Rudi wrote:The last sugar wash I did was started at 1.07 I used fresh bakers yeast and it worked out to.990 in six days.I used a cup of tomatoe paste and the juice of one lemon as per B.W's recipie I also added a pinch of epsom salts (thanks Wineo )this is the best result I've had to date.

Hi Rudi,

What does the Epson Salts contribute?

Did you rack into airtight or straight through in the same container?

My last was 80 liters. no racking; no problem. I also agree with reducing down from SG 1.09 to 1.07 or 1.06 for much faster completion.

My new reflux performed beautifully BTW. Thanks again for the design.

G

Rudi · Post by **Rudi** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:33 am

The epsom salts provide a cheap source of Magnesium. Acording to Wineo yeast need it.I think it made a difference wouldnt know for sure unless i made two washes side by side one with one without Im also not sure wether it was the lower SG or the epsom salts that made the diff.

I didn't rack into a secondary like I do with my beers I just started it in an airlocked carboy then when it was finished racked it into my still.

Good to hear your still performed well do you have any pics yet?

Rudi

birdwatcher · Post by **birdwatcher** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:20 am

Rudi wrote:
Good to hear your still performed well do you have any pics yet?

Rudi

Not pretty enough yet. I'll get around to it.

Have a good weekend.

G

PS I will add 4 pinches of epsom salts to my next 80 liter batch.

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:02 pm

my only experience has been squeezing an orange into a sugar wash. lowers pH a little and may help a little...thought it sounded a little better than tomato paste and tried it once. worked fine... never tried concentrate.

Home Distiller