Amylase

[Tummydoc]

I have found that powdered alpha doesn't convert nearly as well as high temp liquid alpha amylase.

[Twisted Brick]

Is it possible to achieve 100% conversion using only powdered Alpha and glucoamylase without any malted grain? It's been hell trying to find any malted cereal. The closest Brew Shop near me is over 3 hours away. I have tried quite a few times but I'm not getting much starch conversion. I'm trying to figure out whether it's my process or my adjunct.

If you gelatinize the starches properly and don't denature the enzymes, yes. Those enzymes should be all you need. Are the grains properly crushed? Are the enzymes old? Did you do a proper cereal mash? There are a lot of factors. Unmalted grains generally need higher temp for gelatinization than if they were malted.

+1
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This might help shed some light. Also, mash within the enzyme's preferred temp and pH zones and you should be fine. Lots of 'stillers here prefer liquid (SEBStar) enzymes over dry.

[DrexelClaus]

DSmith thank you for your hospitality! I'm using 4lb 9-12 piece cracked corn. Boiling with 3gal water for 2.5-3 hours for gelatinization. Letting cool naturally to 150f and adding BSG amylase enzyme. Holding for approx. 1 hr between 150-155f. Naturally cooling to 135 and adding LD Carlson glucoamylase and holding another hour at 135. I have tried adjusting the pH for a more suitable conversion and raise it back for yeast but then consistently have pH crash during fermentation. I don't currently have reasonable access to malted cereals unfortunately. Again the hospitality is much appreciated. I promise I'll figure the forum chatrooms out. I've got forums for dummies on it's way

[seabass]

Liquid enzymes seem to be much more reliable. I've had mixed results with powdered amylase in the past. I had to be heavy handed with the dosing for it to work.

[TDick]

Is it possible to achieve 100% conversion using only powdered Alpha and glucoamylase without any malted grain? It's been hell trying to find any malted cereal. The closest Brew Shop near me is over 3 hours away. I have tried quite a few times but I'm not getting much starch conversion. I'm trying to figure out whether it's my process or my adjunct.

Without knowing what you did it's hard to say. What recipe did you use?

BTW your question is better off as a separate topic, it's considered rude to hijack someone else's topic with an off-topic question.

Martin, all due respect (I really mean that), this thread is a little scattered to begin with going from grains to breakfast cereal to distillery tours.
TO ME, no harm no foul.
In fact, kudo's to DC!
Looks like you just joined two days. Unlike a LOT of noobs, I appreciate you not just popping a new thread saying, "Hey! Spoon feed me on this stuff."
You did enough digging to find a six month dormant thread, which I assume you read before asking your question.

Perhaps a better idea is to scan through Tried & Trues looking at All Grain recipes, particularly Boomer's Casual All Corn.
Reading through it probably give you some ideas or answers. Even if you're thinking of something other than corn, the process will help.

Also perhaps this will help.

[DrexelClaus]

I'll be switching from the archaic family recipe to a tried and true as well as switching to liquid enzyme. I'd rather help myself to this BAP of wisdom rather than be spoon fed. Y'all are gentlemen and scholars. Again thank y'all for all the help!

[Tummydoc]

We're here to help!

[DrexelClaus]

Any recommendation of a reputable place to get quality sebstar/sebamyl that's not going to rape me? Having a hell of a time trying to message wood shed

[Tummydoc]

Enzymemash.biz Sherman was a regular here and one of the early promoters of enzyme use.

[Hambone]

I tend to find myself using enzymes even with mashes with adequate diastatic power. I dunno, belt and suspenders, I guess...

[DSmith78]

Enzymemash.biz Sherman was a regular here and one of the early promoters of enzyme use.

I'm guessing that site is no longer there...

[Tummydoc]

Enzymemash.biz Sherman was a regular here and one of the early promoters of enzyme use.

I'm guessing that site is no longer there...

I would have thought so, but google search earlier today took me to his order page. Must have been cached because tonight site cant be reached. Ebay has 8 oz of high temp alpha and 8 oz glucoamylase for $39 as a kit free shipping.

[MartinCash]

Are you sure it's not enzymash.biz rather than enzymemash?

[DSmith78]

Are you sure it's not enzymash.biz rather than enzymemash?

Yeah that's what I entered - unable to reach server. Reach further then Google god damn it!

[jonnys_spirit]

Works here

https://enzymash.biz/index.php?route=common/home

Cheers,
Jonny

[DSmith78]

Are you sure it's not enzymash.biz rather than enzymemash?

Yeah that's what I entered - unable to reach server. Reach further then Google god damn it!

Edit - that is Not what I entered! Completely missed the spelling difference...

[Tummydoc]

Thats it!! I feel a loyalty to Sherman for his contributions here. He got a bum streer by the feds

[DSmith78]

Thats it!! I feel a loyalty to Sherman for his contributions here. He got a bum streer by the feds

Oh no - what happened?

[jonnys_spirit]

I think it was an ex wife that happened?

https://www.fox19.com/story/38990713/la ... -kentucky/

[Brew bama]

There’s the issue: “...200 gallons ...a week. Some of it was ready for sale...”

He broke the rule: Don’t tell, don’t sell.

I would add, stick to a personal hobby scale.

[The Baker]

There’s the issue: “...200 gallons ...a week. Some of it was ready for sale...”

He broke the rule: Don’t tell, don’t sell.

I would add, stick to a personal hobby scale.

I suspect the operative words are, 'ready to sell....'
Not necessarily that it was being sold but the feds judged that it was in a such a condition that it COULD have been sold.

Anyway I know little about it but I miss him.

Geoff

[MartinCash]

There’s the issue: “...200 gallons ...a week. Some of it was ready for sale...”

He broke the rule: Don’t tell, don’t sell.

I would add, stick to a personal hobby scale.

You'd have to believe that the cops' press release is truthful and not embellished... and if you saw pictures of his setup (they were published by the cops in the media stories), you might think different. It seemed to me to be a large-ish setup for hobby distilling but not unrealistic. And I don't see how you could get 200 gallons of drinking spirits off that still in the 168 hours available in a week.

[jonnys_spirit]

A couple barrels of wash and the feds (who are always right in court) call it “hundreds of gallons of shine a week”. I wish! Lol.

It takes a lot of water to make a little whisky. And a capful of enzymes lol.

-jonny

[DSmith78]

Yeah that smells like a set up to me - poor chap.

[DrexelClaus]

Got my enzyme from Sherman and it's top notch fellas. Just fighting acetobacter now. Buying new buckets today!