CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Distillation methods and improvements.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
Copper Thumper
Swill Maker
Posts: 368
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:14 pm

CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by Copper Thumper »

Howdy!


So I might seem a bit "off", but I will share my method and why's.

Call me crazy but we are not talking oxidizing beer ferments or wine that locks the oxygen in but clearing a ferment quicker.


Why does it take so long to clear a ferment?

Waiting to rack after a ferment of grain or fruit sucks sometimes...waiting a week or more can be a pain!

Why does it take so long???

CO2! DUH!


My method? Aggitate the hell out of the ferment after its dry and done!


Method? When you taste it going bitter and dry and you know she is close just aggitate the hell out of it. When you find the correct timing it will clear a HELLUVA LOT faster.


No waiting...no change in distillate flavor and a quicker run.


Yah right! You say...well....try it.

When the ferment is tasting dry, aggitate the poo-poo out of it if you know it's close.

The fruit/cap will fall quick that is still there and it will clear fast.


Call me an idiot, newb or whatever but the particulate only falls because the drop in carbonation not because the fermentation if its done.


Aggitating helps this process if you want to speed it up.

I've been looking here and on Google and Bing-nothing.


beer and wine do not apply. I've noticed my runs taste the same but clear for racking fast.


When I know the ferment is close I hit it hard, it's a near overnight thing not days or weeks to still.

This is a quick process which has little if any effect on final product.

Forgive me if I missed this lesson!

Fire away but try it before you flame please :eugeek:
User avatar
NZChris
Master of Distillation
Posts: 13788
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by NZChris »

I don't bother with clearing for stilling. Ain't making beer.
User avatar
FreeMountainHermit
Distiller
Posts: 1769
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 6:45 pm
Location: Two Dogs Holler, West Virginia

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by FreeMountainHermit »

Pretty sure what you are doing is degassing your finished ferment. It's been discussed but I haven't seen it mentioned lately.
Blah, blah, blah,........
User avatar
still_stirrin
Master of Distillation
Posts: 10371
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by still_stirrin »

Impatient?

Just getcha' another fermenter. By staggering the ferments, there's always something ready to go. Time of clearing won't be such a big issue.

Time is....time. How are you going to age your product quicker than the clock?

I hear it all the time..."gotta' speed things up". It just sounds like a rookie comment to me.
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
LBHD
Bootlegger
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 1:52 pm

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by LBHD »

still_stirrin wrote:Impatient?

Just getcha' another fermenter. By staggering the ferments, there's always something ready to go. Time of clearing won't be such a big issue.

Time is....time. How are you going to age your product quicker than the clock?

I hear it all the time..."gotta' speed things up". It just sounds like a rookie comment to me.
ss
I dont find this attitude helpful - there are plenty of things you could do slower that do not improve the end product. If degassing the mash makes it more convenient to participate in the hobby on your own timeline, what is "rookie" about that? Some washes/mashes with high protein content or high unconverted adjuncts can take FOREVER to clear if you are still high in dissolved CO2, weeks if you don't have dedicated refrigeration.


On topic- I have found that my straining process is a pretty good agitator/degasser as well- you can do 2 for 1 if you add a bit of extra height in your strainer/press/pouring.
Copper Thumper
Swill Maker
Posts: 368
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:14 pm

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by Copper Thumper »

I appreciate all the comments!

I have four 32 gallon fermenters (food grade granular dextrose) to ferment in...not including all the buckets and ss stick pots.


I wanted to run this by anyone.

Degassing sounds like a perfect term- thank you freemtnhermit.

I will research that more!


I figured I would ask...as I have not seen much talk on it.... COOL!!

Anyway...not trying to change anyone's method...simply asking if anyone has tried and giving my method.


Thank you!!!
aquavita
Swill Maker
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:06 pm
Location: Wife Said to Find a Hobby... So here I am!

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by aquavita »

Copper - great response to the folks feedback.

I understand what you mean however.

When I move any of my ferments to a secondary - far more particulates fall out of the suspension. I end up with a super clear mash, wine or wash to run.

I will see in about a year if it make any difference in the end product.

Good luck.

Merry Christmas everyone!
Monkeyman88
Rumrunner
Posts: 739
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2015 5:49 am

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by Monkeyman88 »

Nice. I mostly make rum/whiskey so don't clear ( I'm after flavour, why would I want to drop all the flavours out) but if I ever do a dedicated neutral wash, I'll give it a go.
9mikemike
Novice
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:49 pm
Location: Alberta Canada

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by 9mikemike »

Degassing, I do it all the time for my wines, never thought of doing it to my mash. I have one that is taking forever, I'm going to go hit it now 8)
User avatar
ga flatwoods
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3192
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:40 pm
Location: SE GA Flatwoods

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by ga flatwoods »

Maybe a gasx would help. Seems like from time to time when I "hit it hard" I cause a degassing effect as well! :shock: :oops:
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
Worm_Drippinz
Swill Maker
Posts: 319
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2016 6:35 am

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by Worm_Drippinz »

I didn't know it was called degassing but I have done this many times before with wines.

I will try it when I get a pain in the ass on a mash and report back!
RedwoodHillBilly

Re: CT's agitating mash after ferment-OHH NO NOT BEER!!!

Post by RedwoodHillBilly »

For neutrals, I always degas and cold crash to clear the wash. I "rack" the wash from my primary scooping the wash out in 1 gal buckets and pouring it into 6 gal buckets with gamma lids. I then put a couple of them in the fridge for a day. It is clear after that. I'm not doing it for speed, but prefer a clear wash. To each their own, just my preference.
Post Reply