Question on watt and flavor

[Tammuz]

Had anyone noticed a change in flavor from doubling the wattage. I've been thinking of adding another 5500w to my steam generator.

[harold01]

The steam should taste the same

[Stags]

Smearing would be your most likely issue.

[Dancing4dan]

Had anyone noticed a change in flavor from doubling the wattage. I've been thinking of adding another 5500w to my steam generator.

Steam mashing? Or, steam distilling?

My steam strip still did alter flavour once. Ran it hot and fast with thump contents that were thicker than usual. The steam enters the thumper above liquid level. Between the liquid level and the entry point the steam pipe built up some “well done” crust. The flavour came over into low wines.

I leave more liquid in thump to prevent this.

[Dancing4dan]

Smearing would be your most likely issue.

Used for stripping runs I’m not sure smearing would matter.

[Stags]

True. I use more power than most would recommend for my little ten gallon plant.

Scorching being another story entirely.

[Bolverk]

It's possible to push more steam than will condense in the beer and it can dilute you flavor because you'll be getting steam (water) carrying over.

There are some that believe by using steam you aren't getting the maillard reactions that can occur using flame/element due to the fact that the steam is only 212. The upside is that you can distill on grain which makes for a more flavorable whiskey... you be the judge which is better. Personally switching to steam was the best thing I ever did.

[higgins]

...
The upside is that you can distill on grain which makes for a more flavorable whiskey... you be the judge which is better. Personally switching to steam was the best thing I ever did.

+1

I ferment in a 30 gal drum. I'll get about 16-18 gallons of liquid for 2 standard stripping runs, leaving about 10 gallons of wet, mushy grain for a steam stripping run.

I get more quantity and more flavor than when I was 'squeezing' the grains.

[Tammuz]

It's possible to push more steam than will condense in the beer and it can dilute you flavor because you'll be getting steam (water) carrying over.

There are some that believe by using steam you aren't getting the maillard reactions that can occur using flame/element due to the fact that the steam is only 212. The upside is that you can distill on grain which makes for a more flavorable whiskey... you be the judge which is better. Personally switching to steam was the best thing I ever did.

I thank you guys for replying. I've only watched my steam gen when I loaned it to someone. I was surprised how much time it took. My fear is I want to make bourbon and rye. I was thinking that I might push more bitterness out of the grains using more power. Plus I want to try mashing in 2) 55 gal barrels at the same time. If I can balance it do 2 stripping runs at the same time.
Sometimes doing things quickly is not the best way to go, that's what she told me once anyway.
Bolverk as you know I've been walking the same path wanting good rye and rum. Been watching you grow with your continuous still. Too old to care about production, just like the mechanics of it.
Ciao

[Bolverk]

I can't speak to any extra bitterness coming from using too much steam heat... as far as I know, they've been mashing and distilling on steam for over 200 years so it was a possibility im sure I would have read about it somewhere.

Yeah haha thanks, the project is under way so we'll see how she turns out. For me it's about the time, I have a young kid so I cant always dedicate the amout of time I want to doing a run. Being able to fire up and run for an hour here and there is a big driving factor more so than the production pace.

[Dancing4dan]

I was surprised how much time it took. My fear is I want to make bourbon and rye. I was thinking that I might push more bitterness out of the grains using more power.

Regarding time and bitterness.

To decrease the amount of time when steam stripping my boiler is filled with hot running water. This gets a head start on boiler temperature. Once boiler is filled the element is powered up to continue heating that water. While the boiler is heating, I assemble the rest of the still. It is modular and uses tri clamps so set up is pretty quick. Product starts dripping at 1 hour giving lots of time to set up and double check things. 4500 W element at 100% until product flow peeks then turned down to between 50-60% power. Pushes out 4L/ hour. Ish.

Clean up can add time but lately I have found that there isn’t much grain reside left over after fermentation and steam stripping. Yellow label yeast really chews through corn! I have been able to drain the thumper down the floor drain. Thumper drain is 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Barley needs a false bottom in the thump pot to retain husk.

There is time and effort saved by not squeezing the grains.

Not seeing increased bitterness in spirit runs. Any bitterness is removed with cuts as tails come on.

[Tammuz]

@Dancing4dan
I thank you for your reply. I was concerned about grain hulls and bitterness from more heat/force applied. Really good info on your drain sizes, I put 2 inch drains on mine after reading about rye.

[Eric]

I run 2 5500 watt elements with no off flavors. I have used many different yeast varieties and all have different characteristics. I found my palate prefers specific yeast for the type of distillation I'm using. If the new make is off try another yeast. Or change the mash bill. I have a 26 gallon still filled to no more than 20 gallons and have not had any issues. Have fun