Last run of the turbo

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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McGiver
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Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:07 pm

Last run of the turbo

Post by McGiver »

Hi all, still a newbie here, I’ve played with the craft for about 2 years now and until today haven’t really been happy with the results of end product outside running my lawn mower with the heads that i toss out anyway, lol.

Thanks to you all I found my main problem, yea, its the turbo crap. Until spending hours reading the many post I thought that’s the way it had to be done, and the end product was supposed to have that nasty turbo taste. Wrong, it don’t.

Im posting my test wash for 1 reason, because you’ve all inspired me to be inventive and use what I have 1 last time but with advice to modifie it and make a turbo somewhat good.

15 gallons test notes. Ferment temp 80 degrees give or take 5.

1 st. 5 gallons as follows: 12 lbs sugar 5oz of the turbo and 3 multi vitamins: SG appeared to be 1.09. FG appeared to be .990. 85 hours ferment complete.

2 nd 5 gallons as follows: 10 lbs sugar 5oz of the turbo and 3 multi vitamins: SG appeared to be 1.07. FG appeared to be .990. 85 hours ferment complete.

3 rd 5 gallons 8 lbs sugar 4 cups dry malt, sparged, 3oz of the turbo 1/8th cup bakers yeast and 3 multi vitamins: SG appeared to be 1.08. FG appeared to be .990 72 hours ferment complete.

Cleared all with sparkloid, let all clear for 5 days ”should have let clear longer but needed the carboys for beer project, lol”

9+ hours to strip down to 3 gallons with somewhat turbo smell resulted in 50% end product. “need to speed that crap up some how”

1 day later ran system again, resulting in 1 gallon at 185p. with just a hint of turbo flavor. And 1- 5th at 145p. with noticable turbo flavor. There was more to be had but ran into complications after 5 hours of dinking with it all, I just called it a day.

I was thinking about running it through the ringer one more time, and then re-hydrating with distilled water to appropriate level, any thoughts?

Ill be playing with the tried n trues here in a few weeks if the R and D funds permit.

Thanks again for the info and making this run worth the effort even with the slight taste. Tons better than previous runs for sure. :mrgreen:
Slow & Steady
Swill Maker
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:29 am
Location: ahhhh... I really shouldn't say

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by Slow & Steady »

Whenever I put sugar in my ferments I expect more alcohol and less flavor. The same goes for second, and third distillations. I get higher ABV% with each distillation but the flavor drops off with each distillation. I really enjoy the clean flavor of a all grain mash that has been fermented well and distilled with care, fast stripping run and a nice easy going spirit run.
Mashing, like distilling, takes time, care and a good understanding of the process, but the end product is worth the extra effort.
Try it out and you will love the smooth taste.

I have carbon filtered a turbo run when it was at 50% ABV then run it again to produce a vodka. Turbo taste was gone but no flavor. Good place to start for Kailua and other liquors.

But if you are mashing to make your beer then you are ready to go to all grain in your ferment for distillation. Remember no hops if you plan to distill your mash.

S&S
"If it worthwhile then it is worth a little extra time and effort... all impatiens ever got me was burned fingers and charred eyebrows"
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by rad14701 »

Welcome to the forums, McGiver...

When you are re-running your spirits are you adding some water to your low wines...??? Even though the ABV of the low wines may not require dilution, adding more water to the turbo low wines will help strip some additional off flavors...

Glad to hear that you're considering moving away from the turbo's...

Good luck...
McGiver
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:07 pm

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by McGiver »

I thought adding water to the mix before re-working it would be a good idea. I havent done it yet but that will be next.

Are my end product ratios about right or are my times a little bit long on the striping?
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by rad14701 »

The speed depends on what you are using for a still... Do you have a picture of your rig...???
McGiver
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:07 pm

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by McGiver »

No pics atm, but can give a basic rundown, SS keg with 2200watt heat element at 220 volt, 22 in SS 2-1/2 stack connected into 20 ft air cooled worm. No packing for strip runs.

I drop voltage to 110 once boiling, temp stays at 182 at top of stack, once it hits 190 or so its pretty much milked.
Hawke
retired
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Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:39 am

Re: Last run of the turbo

Post by Hawke »

I do see where Liquor Kwik is starting to sell a couple of 14 and 15% 'turbo' products.
Maybe all the ragging on 'em is finally getting through.
It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.
Valved Reflux, 3"x54" Bok 'mini', 2 liebig based pots and the 'Blockhead' 60K btu propane heat
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