Is something wrong here?

[METALHEAD81]

Iv'e got 2 sugar wash runs under my belt which went simply well so I decided to try the corn flakes whisky. I followed the directions for a 5 gallon batch, it fermented in about 5 days then stopped so I racked it into glass and let the temp drop but the cornflakes just don't want to sink or separate from the liquid. I assume I messed something up here somehow. Maybe I over cooked the flakes?

Can I run it with all the suspended corn flakes in it or does it have to be clear liquid like my previous sugar washes? Coming up on 8 days since I made it.

[still_stirrin]

Some questions first:
1) How do you heat your boiler?
2) How much sugar did you add to start, ie - what was the original gravity (OG)?
3) Have you checked the final gravity (SG)?
4) How do you know the ferment is done?

When ever I have done cornflakes or bran flakes recipes, the flakes have been settled with the trub in the bottom of the fermenter. And the FG was at, or below 1.000. If your ferment is still working, albeit slowly, there may be some bouyancy to the floaties (grain flakes). They should settle eventually. And if your OG was high, there could still be activity working as the ferment approaches attenuation. You should just wait on it to finish.

You can’t use the calendar to judge attenuation unless you’ve done it consistently many times with the same recipe. Only then can you predict progress by the time.
ss

[METALHEAD81]

Boiler is propane heated
Started with 1.075 or so SG
Final gravity was 1.01
Ferment seemed done to me because the bubbling stopped. When I checked the SG and saw 1.01 it kinda seemed like the hydrometer was sitting on flakes and getting an off reading which is why I racked it. I figured it would settle more allowing for a better reading but I was wrong.

[The Baker]

But what did it TASTE like?

Geoff

[still_stirrin]

Boiler is propane heated <— OK, so a little of solids carrying over to the boiler may be tolerable and avoid a scorch.
Started with 1.075 or so SG<— OK, so that’s a reasonable start such that it should be nearly done now. Nearly done.
Final gravity was 1.01 <— OK, you are getting close, but not quite done. The last stage of fermentation is asymptotic, meaning the rate of fermentation slows non-linearly as the sugar is being depleted. So, as Geoff suggested, it may still taste a little sweet...so, wait on it a few more days.

Ferment seemed done to me because the bubbling stopped. When I checked the SG and saw 1.01 it kinda seemed like the hydrometer was sitting on flakes and getting an off reading which is why I racked it. I figured it would settle more allowing for a better reading but I was wrong.

Again, you often cannot “see” the bubbles as a judge to attenuation (as stated above). The vigor of the CO2 bubbling has subsided, but very small bubbles may still be sizzling to the surface and you simply can’t see it. You’re getting close, but give it a couple of more days. You likely will see the flakes fall soon...very soon.
ss

[METALHEAD81]

But what did it TASTE like?

Geoff

Honesty not as good as I was hoping but I do understand its a fermented mush. It kinda sorta just a little smells like vomit but its not terribly offensive. The taste wasnt bad like spoiled milk or anything, just not something I would drink.

[METALHEAD81]

Boiler is propane heated <— OK, so a little of solids carrying over to the boiler may be tolerable and avoid a scorch.
Started with 1.075 or so SG<— OK, so that’s a reasonable start such that it should be nearly done now. Nearly done.
Final gravity was 1.01 <— OK, you are getting close, but not quite done. The last stage of fermentation is asymptotic, meaning the rate of fermentation slows non-linearly as the sugar is being depleted. So, as Geoff suggested, it may still taste a little sweet...so, wait on it a few more days.

Ferment seemed done to me because the bubbling stopped. When I checked the SG and saw 1.01 it kinda seemed like the hydrometer was sitting on flakes and getting an off reading which is why I racked it. I figured it would settle more allowing for a better reading but I was wrong.

Again, you often cannot “see” the bubbles as a judge to attenuation (as stated above). The vigor of the CO2 bubbling has subsided, but very small bubbles may still be sizzling to the surface and you simply can’t see it. You’re getting close, but give it a couple of more days. You likely will see the flakes fall soon...very soon.
ss

So did I mess it up by chilling it? Should I pull it from the fridge and let it warm up or leave it and see what happens?

[still_stirrin]

So did I mess it up by chilling it? <— Yes, probably.

Should I pull it from the fridge and let it warm up or leave it and see what happens? <— Naw, not worth the effort. But next time, don’t get so anxious to get it to the boiler. “Patience is the hardest thing to put in a bottle”.

LEARN from your mistakes.

[METALHEAD81]

So did I mess it up by chilling it? <— Yes, probably.

Should I pull it from the fridge and let it warm up or leave it and see what happens? <— Naw, not worth the effort. But next time, don’t get so anxious to get it to the boiler. “Patience is the hardest thing to put in a bottle”.

LEARN from your mistakes.

For sure. Thanks for the help. Ill give it a fresh go.

[hellbilly007]

Have you tried to get a SG reading from a filtered sample?

It may just need degassed to allow it to clear

[METALHEAD81]

I just pulled one...Says 0.995-6

[The Baker]

But what did it TASTE like?

Geoff

Honesty not as good as I was hoping but I do understand its a fermented mush. It kinda sorta just a little smells like vomit but its not terribly offensive. The taste wasnt bad like spoiled milk or anything, just not something I would drink.

But was there any residual sweetness?

Geoff

[METALHEAD81]

But what did it TASTE like?

Geoff

Honesty not as good as I was hoping but I do understand its a fermented mush. It kinda sorta just a little smells like vomit but its not terribly offensive. The taste wasnt bad like spoiled milk or anything, just not something I would drink.

But was there any residual sweetness?

Geoff

No sweetness. Just sour

[Corsaire]

Then it's done
But even when it's done it can need some time to settle down.

[Yummyrum]

Then it's done
But even when it's done it can need some time to settle down.

Agree .
I give all washes up to a week minimum before stripping .

[LWTCS]

When you can taste that its dry can give it a good stir to off gas.
Bulk of the solids will fall out of suspension very nicely by the following day.

[METALHEAD81]

It sort of cleared when I racked it. Most of the heavy stuff hit the bottom but the rest never separated. I usually (from beer making) try not to mess around with the wort with stirring and shaking, especially after the primary fermentation. I siphon off whatever liquid is on top without disturbing the bottom. I dump the trub and then let it sit another week or so until it clears up completely.
I have also made wine where its the opposite, its gotta be stirred vigorously and regularly.

With a mash/wash like this, should I:
A. wait for the ferment to end then treat it like a wine and stir the crap out of it with ALL of the corn flakes in it, then rack it and let it settle?
B. Or a mix of both perhaps. Ferment till done, rack what clears and toss the crap at the bottom then degas like wine and give it a week to settle more.
C. Stick with sugar washes. LOL

I did a bunch of reading and research on this stuff but I must have missed the handling procedures of a wash like this. I just cant find it so I do appreciate your help

[still_stirrin]

...With a mash/wash like this, should I:
A. wait for the ferment to end then treat it like a wine and stir the crap out of it with ALL of the corn flakes in it, then rack it and let it settle?...

viewtopic.php?f=61&p=7603096#p7602864

...I did a bunch of reading and research on this stuff but I must have missed the handling procedures of a wash like this. I just cant find it so I do appreciate your help...

I wonder if you find the answers...do you actually READ them? Do you even understand WHAT you’re reading? Or, do you only read what you want to and overlook the rest. It seems so....

[METALHEAD81]

I read it, and I thought I was learning something and having a meaningful conversation but then you responded with a condescending attitude so now I guess I didn't learn anything at all.

[Just 4 Fun]

I read it, and I thought I was learning something and having a meaningful conversation but then you responded with a condescending attitude so now I guess I didn't learn anything at all.

Welcome to HD lmfao, but seriously grow some thicker skin if you want to hang with this bunch.

Do more diligent research before asking questions that have been repeated many times on this forum.

Some habits from beer and wine making need to be “unlearned”

Use a friggin strainer when you rack cereal washes and all your problems will go away.

[Corsaire]

C. Stick with sugar washes.

Well, Odin's corn flakes whisky is a sugar wash.

You forgot option D.
Let it ferment, then let it settle. Don't stir, don't shake, don't do anything. Siphon clear wash into boiler. Leave the floaters behind.

It's not that hard. And you don't need to worry about introducing oxygen and bacteria, you're gonna boil it all anyway.

[hellbilly007]

If you're not using glass carboys, smack the hell out of it a few times to degas it. No need in stirring or shaking.

As you pick up on the lingo used around here searches become more fruitful. Sometimes ya just gotta change the wording to get more results

[TDick]

I read it, and I thought I was learning something and having a meaningful conversation but then you responded with a condescending attitude so now I guess I didn't learn anything at all.

Welcome to HD lmfao, but seriously grow some thicker skin if you want to hang with this bunch.

Do more diligent research before asking questions that have been repeated many times on this forum.

^+1
I've been around almost 3 years, still a noob.
My first year, I felt like I got my ass handed me for what I thought was no good reason.
I'd often think, "what an ass!" about some of the responses. Sometimes I still do, but at some point I got it.

NOT accusing you, but I've often seen people come here & basically say, "Feed Me".
After ALL the hours I've put in

Read Til You Bleed.gif (24.78 KiB) Viewed 4986 times

yes it's a bit irritating.

It's recommended for good reason to find and follow a Tried & True.

so I decided to try the corn flakes whisky. I followed the directions for a 5 gallon

When I decided on a T&T, I read it all the way through.
Then I read it again, skipping over the bullshit & concentrating on the Creator's comments & the real issues/questions.
Started my ferment and while I was waiting, I read it the thread again so that I was sure of exactly what I was going to do next.
What I didn't do - noob mistake - was get a journal book to write down every step I took so I could reference back.
(just an idea)

Anyway, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Odin's Cornflakes has been up almost 8 years.Thirty two pages of questions & answers.

Also, Odin is VERY involved and, if you read the thread, you'd have found he is very responsive to problems or even the smallest of questions.
I assume you read all 32 of those pages, yet still didn't find the answers you were looking for.
I peeked & the answers appear to be there.
In fact, I HAVE read the whole damned thing when I thought about running it.
(Then I figured out where I live, 50# cracked corn is about the same price as the cornflakes)

The other benefit of STUDYING the T&T is, if you still had a question, as I often did, THAT was the place to post it.
You probably would have posed a more "informed" question and it would have been read by members who have run the recipe before.

The reply would have been more along the lines of, "oh yeah, that happened to me too. Here's what I did."
So just a suggestion. Read it "again" and see if it makes a little more sense.
Good luck.

[METALHEAD81]

Message received. Thanks

[hellbilly007]

Kudos, TDick

[TDick]

It sort of cleared when I racked it.

With a mash/wash like this, should I:
A. wait for the ferment to end then treat it like a wine and stir the crap out of it with ALL of the corn flakes in it, then rack it and let it settle?
B. Or a mix of both perhaps. Ferment till done, rack what clears and toss the crap at the bottom then degas like wine and give it a week to settle more.
C. Stick with sugar washes. LOL

my OPINION is

Once you finished this cornflake run, leave the cereal behind for AG
Jimbos or NChooch or at least grain & sugar something like UJSSM.
The reason Odin came up with cornflakes is because he can't get decent corn in Europe.
You can get either whole or cracked corn a whole lot cheaper than cereal - Tractor Supply - 50# less than $10.00.

You may be tired of reading this, but find a Tried & True that you like and makes sense.
For all the reasons I stated earlier.

Also, last time you made a 5 gallon mash.
Make enough for 3-4 stripping runs, which then gives you enough for a spirit run.

That's the ABC's of Alc.
Good Luck.
tDICK

[METALHEAD81]

It sort of cleared when I racked it.

With a mash/wash like this, should I:
A. wait for the ferment to end then treat it like a wine and stir the crap out of it with ALL of the corn flakes in it, then rack it and let it settle?
B. Or a mix of both perhaps. Ferment till done, rack what clears and toss the crap at the bottom then degas like wine and give it a week to settle more.
C. Stick with sugar washes. LOL

, my OPINION is

Once you finished this cornflake run, leave the cereal behind for AG or at least grain & sugar something like UJSSM.
The reason Odin came up with cornflakes is because he can't get decent corn in Europe.
You can get it either whole or cracked corn a whole lot cheaper than cereal - Tractor Supply - 50# less than $10.00.

You maybe tired of reading it, but find a Tried & True that you like and makes sense.
For all the reasons I stated earlier.

Also, last time you made a 5 gallon mash.
Make enough for 3-4 stripping runs, which then gives you enough for a spirit run.

That's the ABC's of Alc.
Good Luck.
tDICK

Thanks for asking
I am not scared. I limit my interaction with condescending pricks, drama queens and bully's, (though I'd gladly square up face to face with any one of the like). I am man. I don't watch soap operas and I don't do drama and even posting this is very out of character for me but this thread is already a train wreck and I have been on quarantine for so long I cant remember so screw it, lets burn a bridge if that's what happens.
I like to make stuff, and I like to learn and I like to do so by having respectable conversation with like minded people. I've spent many hours on many topics educating clueless newbs and I when I don't feel like it, I shut up and let someone else do it.
I also know the difference between people who are good teachers and those who need to stand on what their students don't know or their shortcomings to make themselves feel good. The more I READ the more I see there are plenty of good teachers here and a handful of insecure twats. I am not here to help people with their insecurities, I am here to learn and Ill do it from the shadows if that's what you prefer.

I agree with SmokyMtn I just didn't care enough to say it nor do I think my opinion is worth anything here anyway but ill say it. I am surprised this forum thrives at all with some of the attitudes here. I have no problem "READING" and I will do so and stay quiet and not add any further content to the forum. Do I mis-interpret stuff sometimes? Sure, I often have to read technical manuals 2-3 three times, then go to the tangible thing and do something, then go back and do some more reading. I also learn from mistakes. But when the instructions are to read 36 pages for a few tidbits of information that could have easily been updated in the original post/recipe, please excuse my utter incompetence. A little forum maintenance would go a long way in reducing repetitive and stupid questions.

When enough people get tired of it, it will either break the forum or the members ruining it but my life with go on either way.

As far as the corn flakes, I ran it just to see what would happen. It smelled great but tasted awful, hurt my throat, so I made a fresh batch to try again. Its currently at 15 days and 1.02 and stalled again. Some tried and true recipe. Honestly don't know what the big deal is with it if it doesn't work.
Currently I am on my 4th batch of birdwatchers though. That works like a charm and even takes some nuked charred oak chips fairly nice.

Maybe ill give the corn as you suggested a try if I can source some local. With Covid 19 hitting my area hard, I was trying to find some tried and true stuff that I could get quick and easy while doing the regular grocery shopping and make a decent drink while learning the processes. But that's gonna need a whole bunch more reading and some George from B&H no doubt before I get going down that road.
There is good advice in your post that I acknowledge. Thank you, I will look into it.

ETA-Yall were a great help on my build thread. I appreciate that it made it to a happy end without it getting ugly.

[Tater]

Admin edit Ive cleaned this thread up much as possible .Lets keep it on topic going forward.

[Thebigbrewbowski]

I have been successfully running ujssm for a short while and I can say each ferment can be different. The best thing is give it time, and if the SG hasnt budged in 2 days Ill just clarify and run it. Sometimes its just more efficient to say F it and run it and start over. The extra couple days to let sit sometimes just arent worth it as I can normally have a new batch done in 48/72 hrs. Ive learned not to be so attached to a ferment and try again on the next one.