Big improvement

A MUST READ FORUM Place where new distillers can read many of the important documents that help introduce them to distilling. This is a read-only forum.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
METALHEAD81
Novice
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:54 pm

Big improvement

Post by METALHEAD81 »

My last thread on the cornflake whisky was as much of train wreck as the drink itself. What a failure that batch was.

I’m currently running my second attempt that’s 22 days in the fermenter and what a difference. Flavor is so much better than the straight sugar washes I’ve practiced on. Albeit I’m sure no where near a good as an AG.
I may make more corn flakes whisky but I am still in the exploratory stages in finding what I like. I picked up 10 lbs of malted cracked barley today and some ale yeast. I think my house temps are just too cold for bakers yeast to be efficient this time of year. Maybe summer months will be better for that strain and left out in the garage.
I’m going to try Jimbos single malt AG with the grains I bought today but I’ve got more studying to do in regards to properly making a successful mash.
User avatar
Saltbush Bill
Site Mod
Posts: 10373
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am
Location: Northern NSW Australia

Re: Big improvement

Post by Saltbush Bill »

You could always try to find a way to keep your ferments warm. There are many options there as well
METALHEAD81
Novice
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:54 pm

Re: Big improvement

Post by METALHEAD81 »

Saltbush Bill wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:49 pm You could always try to find a way to keep your ferments warm. There are many options there as well
True
I have a heating pad I’ve been using. I wonder which is more cost effective though. A yeast that is happy at my room temp or heating water for 7-14 days with a hot blanket or fish tank heater.
User avatar
NZChris
Master of Distillation
Posts: 13732
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Big improvement

Post by NZChris »

Yeast produces heat. The only reason you need to add more heat is because you haven't provided enough insulation.
OtisT
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3272
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:59 am
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Big improvement

Post by OtisT »

Congrats on the second batch metalhead.

+1 to what Chris just said about insulation.

Otis
Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
User avatar
ViceGripson
Novice
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:08 pm

Re: Big improvement

Post by ViceGripson »

What are the house temps? If you're 70ish F then you should be okay. Just waiting a few more days.
How large of a batch and what exactly is the recipe? I'd say you'll be better off with malted barley.
In modern times, it's like Jesus brought a keg into the wedding on his shoulder and said "let's keep the party going"
User avatar
Saltbush Bill
Site Mod
Posts: 10373
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am
Location: Northern NSW Australia

Re: Big improvement

Post by Saltbush Bill »

ViceGripson wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 9:47 pm If you're 70ish F then you should be okay. Just waiting a few more days.
Bakers yeast likes warm, 70F isn't warm.
METALHEAD81 wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:38 pm I may make more corn flakes whisky but I am still in the exploratory stages in finding what I like.
Sometimes its better to stick with one thing and get good at it, learn the hows and whys of that one thing.
jumping from one wash to another , sugar head to AG can lead to much frustration for some people.
User avatar
TDick
Distiller
Posts: 1365
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:25 pm
Location: Sweet Home

Re: Big improvement

Post by TDick »

METALHEAD81 wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:38 pm I think my house temps are just too cold for bakers yeast to be efficient this time of year.
I had the same problem. I bought a 200w aquarium heater for $10, easy to dial in 85 degrees and let it work.

METALHEAD81 wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:38 pm
I’m going to try Jimbos single malt AG with the grains I bought today but I’ve got more studying to do in regards to properly making a successful mash.
Good Luck :D !
TO ME, Jimbo's recipes are the easiest to follow.
METALHEAD81
Novice
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:54 pm

Re: Big improvement

Post by METALHEAD81 »

By comparison, the bakers yeast does do fine with the birdwatchers recipe in my house. I ferment in buckets with air locks up against my radiators in a back room. It’s slow but it gets the job done in 12-14 days. I’ve made 4 batches of that with various sugars, turbinado, brown, white, and all finished below 1.000 in two weeks. The only difference between the two recipes is the amount of nutrients available. Birdwatchers uses tomato paste. The corn flakes doesn’t have the tomato paste, so with the less than ideal temps and questionable nutrition unless it’s a ph issue (which is could be but I don’t have test strips that go below 6.2) then I know what I need to do to make the cornflakes work with bakers yeast should I try again.
TDick I think it was you (but I could be mistaken) who recommended getting away from sugar washes which is why am moving toward the grains Bill. I’d like to find something I like so I can stick with it and make some larger batches and properly let it age.
Ale yeast does fine here, I make beer all the time with it so Jimbos seems like a perfect place for me to start.
Post Reply