How clear is clear?

[UnclePaul]

I notice a lot of you mentioning about the mash clearing. Just what are you calling clear? I normally let mine sit until all the floating corn has settled, but it is still not see thru it water clear.
So how about a description of your clear.
Thanks.

[noobsauce]

Clear to me is kind of like a "lemonade" look to it on my all grain...

[rad14701]

The word "clear" can be a bit misleading... Allowing wine, or a wash, to clear is more letting all of the solids "settle" to the bottom so you can rack off the liquid portion... Our washes rarely get totally "clear" but do become translucent... Making sure the yeast drops, as well as a majority of the solids that aren't floaters, is usually sufficient... Depending on the composition of the wash/mash you might be better off double racking...

[UnclePaul]

Thanks for the replies. It was about what I figured. Mainly to let everything settle that will to get rid of the yeast as much as possible.
That's what I've been doing so far. I just wish I had a few more containers to keep a steady supply of mash fermenting.

[HookLine]

Some ferments, like molasses ferments for rum, never look 'clear' at all, they remain very dark and opaque, like coffee. Other ferments, like some plain sugar washes, can get very close to clear, like slightly tinted water.

As Rad said, it is all about getting the yeast and other solids out.

[heynonny]

Mine is ready to go when it looks like somewhere between the 'budget' apple cider and your 'organic' unfiltered $$ cider, , , -hey-

[scotty]

i rack off the yeast into a new carboy and add super clear- after 2 days a ton more sediment usually shows up. im doing a sugar wash now and will see what that looks like after fermentation and just letting it settle for about 2-3 days. Then i will add super clear if it is still cloudy

still learning

[olddog]

You should not need a clearing agent if you double rack properly. I have an inverted shower head on the end of my racking cane, which makes it impossible to get any solids in the racked wash.

[HookLine]

an inverted shower head on the end of my racking cane

Now there is a damn good idea.

[olddog]

Here's a pic. Its chrome on brass, and is easy to solder onto a length of copper tubing.

[HookLine]

Nice.

And if Mr Lawman ever asks about it, you can just say it is for camping showers.

[UnclePaul]

After you rack it, do you run it? Or do you airlock it like wine and then ferment more.
I let mine settle and then do my best to keep any solids out as I transfer it to my pot.
Lately I've been checking with my hydrometer to see that it's down to .099

[scotty]

After you rack it, do you run it? Or do you airlock it like wine and then ferment more.
I let mine settle and then do my best to keep any solids out as I transfer it to my pot.
Lately I've been checking with my hydrometer to see that it's down to .099

I give it a couple of days for the yeast to populate in the frementing bucket then TRANSFERTO A glass CARBOY under lock. When i notice slower activity in the air lock i do an sg test. If the SG is below 1. Then I RACK OFF THE LEES TO A CLEAN CARBOY. At this point i clarify then rack off the sedement to the boiler for a run.

I have read in "making pure corn whiskey" that the wash should be run within a very short time after the yeast is pitched.

.

I like lhe wash to be clear as possible and the sg to be below 1 when my wash goes into the boiler. I may cange the method if there is evidence to the contrary.

I use my wine making method to prepare a wash for a run.

[blanikdog]

That shower rose filter is one of the best ideas I've got from the forum for a long time, olddog. It'll stop me muttering rude oaths while racking. I'll have one as soon as I pass a junkyard.

blanik

[olddog]

Yes its near impossible to get any trub or solids because the head is about 1" thick. I have often sat it on the grainbed in the wash and because the head faces upwards you don't get anything you don't want when racking.