Birdwatchers sugar wash recipe

[frozenthunderbolt]

Am not sure whether "best neutral" and "best vodka" are the same for me, though!
Odin.

I was thinking much the same Odin, perhaps running 3/4 BW low wines with 1/4 of something a little grainy - all bran or DWWGW perhaps, so there is a hint of flavour left in it.

[Odin]

Yeah, that would be an idea. Personally, I think I will try & look for a rice All Bran now, to make a neutral. With the smallest amount of All Bran. I hear good results on that!

Odin.

[jermkline]

My BW wash is in the still now. The recipe I used was this...

11lb Dextrose
6oz tomato paste
6tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp epsom salts
2 tbsp redstar yeast
Water to 6 gallons / ~23 L

OG @ 60F 1.063
FG @ 60F 0.9965 (Corrected)
Estimated AVB 8.7%

Hardware: EEII in reflux mode.

The distillate is nice... way better than turbo in aroma and flavor.

My collections are at about 93% and 94% abv.

I'm very happy with this and will be making it again soon!

[maheel]

My BW wash is in the still now. The recipe I used was this...


The distillate is nice... way better than turbo in aroma and flavor.

My collections are at about 93% and 94% abv.

I'm very happy with this and will be making it again soon!

consider stripping it 1st then re-running up the reflux making some cuts for some great neutral hearts

[Bushman]

Just started a new batch and used my same recipe except I had some organic sugar that was given to me instead of my regular. The SG was a bit higher than usual so I guess I will see what happens.

[mash rookie]

Great freaking recipe. I just knocked up 20 gallons so I can compare two still mods with two ten gallon runs to compare the difference on the same batch. Love Ya Birdwatcher!

20 gallons 35lbs sugar 12% potential. I have never had this stuff fail to finish dry!

[758759754]

So, has anyone had success in running a 20L wash from start to finish in a carboy? How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before airlocking it? What is the importance of leaving it open for a bit?

[Dnderhead]

" How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before air locking it?"
open ferments and aerating is two different things.
open ferments are generally used for mash/wash that foams a lot.
if put into a carboy/demijohn it is likely to blow out the top,,one big mess
open ferments also release unwanted gases, like sulphur dioxide/co2 ..

aerating is introducing o2 ,this can be done by shaking,stiring,wiping or with a air stone
and if you have it air stone and o2..this is from the least effective to the most.
aerating is done so the yeast can grow and reproduce.usually only done at beginning of ferment.

[758759754]

" How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before air locking it?"
open ferments and aerating is two different things.
open ferments are generally used for mash/wash that foams a lot.
if put into a carboy/demijohn it is likely to blow out the top,,one big mess
open ferments also release unwanted gases, like sulphur dioxide/co2 ..

aerating is introducing o2 ,this can be done by shaking,stiring,wiping or with a air stone
and if you have it air stone and o2..this is from the least effective to the most.
aerating is done so the yeast can grow and reproduce.usually only done at beginning of ferment.

Thanks for clarifying. So, from what I am able to understand, making 20L and putting it straight in a carboy is basically a bomb. Better to leave it in the carboy until it is done, open to the air the entire time. Or, start it open to the air and airlock it sometime after?

I am just very confused, sorry. I always thought/believed that a wash needed to be airlocked to even ferment. But now I'm learning differently and it is rather confusing...

[Dnderhead]

you can leave it in a bucket covered with cloth or rack into carboy after the ferment dies down.you can put it in a carboy,,, if you want to pick corks out of ceiling.and mop the walls

[maheel]

So, has anyone had success in running a 20L wash from start to finish in a carboy? How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before airlocking it? What is the importance of leaving it open for a bit?

no real need to leave "open"

i cover with glad wrap and a rubber band, no need for airlocks they are not worth the $$

as long as you have abit of head space in the carboy should be no problems, even if it bubbles out the top dont worry about it to much.
if it bubbles out clean it off, wipe down the outside with a sanitizer and leave it be to finish

yeast are surprisingly hardy little buggers, given a good start they keep going till there is no more sugarz

[Bushman]

So, has anyone had success in running a 20L wash from start to finish in a carboy? How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before airlocking it? What is the importance of leaving it open for a bit?

as long as you have abit of head space in the carboy should be no problems, even if it bubbles out the top dont worry about it to much.
if it bubbles out clean it off, wipe down the outside with a sanitizer and leave it be to finish

+1, I have 2 six gallon buckets just about done so started a birdwatchers in my 5 gallon carboys and filled to 4-1/2 gallons, used my airlocks at the beginning with no problems currently on their 3rd day!

[rad14701]

I run all washes with airlocks installed within an hour or two of pitching my yeast and have never had an issue... Leaving ample head space to account for potential krausen is the main thing to consider... I have even left my wash a bit light on water and then topped off once the most aggressive phase was completed, about 12 - 24 hours later... Never had an issue with osmotic stress on the yeast using this method as the colony is quite resilient during the aerobic to early anaerobic phases...

[timmsy]

Hi Guys

Been doing this recipe for ages using norm table sugar. But im getting a 25kg sack of dextrose for $45. I was wandering do i use 5kg of dextrose in my 25ltr wash like i use 5kgs of sugar?

[maheel]

Hi Guys

Been doing this recipe for ages using norm table sugar. But im getting a 25kg sack of dextrose for $45. I was wandering do i use 5kg of dextrose in my 25ltr wash like i use 5kgs of sugar?

i would go 6 of dex, it does not have as much sugarz as normal sugar so you need a bit more for same % . not really 100% sure of ratio but 6 would be fine

[758759754]

Followed directions exactly but a 20L batch. It's been over a week and it is not done fermenting. Airlock pops every second or so. I have it with a 50W? heating pad on the carboy.... Not sure exactly specs but its warm to the touch, not hot or cold. Started with a SG of around 1.110 and is only just under 1.090 if I remember correctly.... Tastes sweet with some alcohol and is sticky. Quite liked it actually.

[Bushman]

I have washes that take up to 3 weeks, if she's bubbling let her go!

[758759754]

Right right, letting it run of course, but I thought I saw somewhere that it was a week abouts...

[Bushman]

Right right, letting it run of course, but I thought I saw somewhere that it was a week abouts...

I have seen those posts but none of mine have ended that fast!

[maheel]

Followed directions exactly but a 20L batch. It's been over a week and it is not done fermenting. Airlock pops every second or so. I have it with a 50W? heating pad on the carboy.... Not sure exactly specs but its warm to the touch, not hot or cold. Started with a SG of around 1.110 and is only just under 1.090 if I remember correctly.... Tastes sweet with some alcohol and is sticky. Quite liked it actually.

check the temp with a thermo if you can...

25-30 'C is about right.

i often place a large packing carton over mine to keep the warmth in in cooler months on BWathcers
if very cold i ad a blanket as well

[maritime]

let her be.
i have had washes done in 7 days, some 20 days.

sometimes the yeast is happy, sometimes not so much.
but those slow and long ferments end up giving more finished product, for me.
i know the yeast will die off at a certian %, but i get swings of 900ml-1600ml of 95%. on the same size wash.

[758759754]

I'll consider it... Going to try a bit of insulation then. Box or blanket, I'll say how it goes in a bit...

[Saltbush Bill]

30-35 is a better temp to run this wash...as stated in the very first post of this thread ...run at these temps it should ferment fully within 7-8 days

[758759754]

But is there any truth to a slightly cooler temperature providing a better ferment (as in cleaner, crisper, clearer, etc.)?

Going to check the wash, will edit on return.

EDIT:
Well wrapping it with a blanket had a very small effect. Might need a larger heat source, that is also easier in controlling.

Interestingly it has started to clear, I've just noticed right now especially, but the last little bit has been having slight changes. This mean anything?

[Bushman]

I've done both but currently I run my controller set at 28.5C, it is set to kick on when it drops 2.5C

[758759754]

Sounds like an advanced heat source. Where do you find something with that much control and range? (And cheap :p)

[Bushman]

Go through this thread maheel found it on ebay, it is not that expensive and works great, I have been using mine for just over a year in a downstairs small bathroom. I was a little nervous when I first ordered it as it comes out of china but it works great.

[timmsy]

Well guys i put down 5 x 25ltr washes on the weekend.

2 washes were
5kgs sugar
lemon juice
epson salts
tomatoe paste
bakers yeast

3 washes were
6kgs dextrose
salts
lemon juice
wyeast yeast nutriant
bakers yeast

All 5 are bubbling away real nice. That should get some of my stocks up when done

[Ian Jay]

So, has anyone had success in running a 20L wash from start to finish in a carboy? How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before airlocking it? What is the importance of leaving it open for a bit?

I split my 25 L washes into 2 x 20L carboys. It provides the greatest surface area, which I believe is advantageous for the yeast. I just pop a small plastic food freezer bag with a pinhole over each top secured by 2 elastic bands. Length of time depends upon many factors - temperature, type of yeast, pH, etc. I try to ferment around 20C, and prevent the temp rising above 25C. A constant temperature should be maintained if possible for maximum efficiency.

Mileage will vary and I am not suggesting that this is the best method, but it works for me. Experimenting is fun!

[758759754]

So, has anyone had success in running a 20L wash from start to finish in a carboy? How long did you leave it open to aerate for, before airlocking it? What is the importance of leaving it open for a bit?

I split my 25 L washes into 2 x 20L carboys. It provides the greatest surface area, which I believe is advantageous for the yeast. I just pop a small plastic food freezer bag with a pinhole over each top secured by 2 elastic bands. Length of time depends upon many factors - temperature, type of yeast, pH, etc. I try to ferment around 20C, and prevent the temp rising above 25C. A constant temperature should be maintained if possible for maximum efficiency.

Mileage will vary and I am not suggesting that this is the best method, but it works for me. Experimenting is fun!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll consider it for next run.



As for that mini thermostat that maheel found on eBay that Bushman mentioned. I live in Canada and power is all 110~120 VAC. It mentions on eBay Canada that they will work on 120 VAC but the diagrams there just show 220 VAC for the heater plugs and also eBay Aurstralia never mentions that 120 VAC is possible. Help?