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I have two 5 gallon batches of this mash that been stuck at 1.002 for 2 days. I started them a week ago today. I just took a reading and the mash has darkened and is pretty clear in the hydrometer test tube. For timing purposes, I'd really like to run this tonight. Aside from not realizing the full alcohol potential, is there any other problems with running this now?

If it cleared it's done. I'd run it

Due51 wrote:I have two 5 gallon batches of this mash that been stuck at 1.002 for 2 days. I started them a week ago today. I just took a reading and the mash has darkened and is pretty clear in the hydrometer test tube. For timing purposes, I'd really like to run this tonight. Aside from not realizing the full alcohol potential, is there any other problems with running this now?

I just checked my 9 day old wash. Smells like beer, tastes like beer, not crackling like bacon. It was a hard crackle. Now its just kinda sizzling. OG was 1.068, added two packets of prestige WD with AG and now its at 1.004. According to the hydrometer 1.004 means its dry. Now obviously my BW went down to .992 or so, so this isn't necessarily true. Its dark in color also little spent corn and oats floating. In the test tube it looked about as clear as something with molasses in it is going to get. I'm going to give mine til midnight and if it doesn't move a hair I'm going to turn the heat off and let it settle for 48 hrs. If you go by the hydrometer I'm at 9% ABV right now. I think for this recipe its perfect % wise.

ledyard wrote:

Due51 wrote:I have two 5 gallon batches of this mash that been stuck at 1.002 for 2 days. I started them a week ago today. I just took a reading and the mash has darkened and is pretty clear in the hydrometer test tube. For timing purposes, I'd really like to run this tonight. Aside from not realizing the full alcohol potential, is there any other problems with running this now?

I just checked my 9 day old wash. Smells like beer, tastes like beer, not crackling like bacon. It was a hard crackle. Now its just kinda sizzling. OG was 1.068, added two packets of prestige WD with AG and now its at 1.004. According to the hydrometer 1.004 means its dry. Now obviously my BW went down to .992 or so, so this isn't necessarily true. Its dark in color also little spent corn and oats floating. In the test tube it looked about as clear as something with molasses in it is going to get. I'm going to give mine til midnight and if it doesn't move a hair I'm going to turn the heat off and let it settle for 48 hrs. If you go by the hydrometer I'm at 9% ABV right now. I think for this recipe its perfect % wise.

SF washes won't always ferment down to 1.000 or below because of the molasses. There's a little unfermentable sugar in molasses that can cause the slightly higher reading. If it's settling out and taste dry, it's probably ready to run.

S-C

S-Cackalacky wrote:

ledyard wrote:

Due51 wrote:I have two 5 gallon batches of this mash that been stuck at 1.002 for 2 days. I started them a week ago today. I just took a reading and the mash has darkened and is pretty clear in the hydrometer test tube. For timing purposes, I'd really like to run this tonight. Aside from not realizing the full alcohol potential, is there any other problems with running this now?

I just checked my 9 day old wash. Smells like beer, tastes like beer, not crackling like bacon. It was a hard crackle. Now its just kinda sizzling. OG was 1.068, added two packets of prestige WD with AG and now its at 1.004. According to the hydrometer 1.004 means its dry. Now obviously my BW went down to .992 or so, so this isn't necessarily true. Its dark in color also little spent corn and oats floating. In the test tube it looked about as clear as something with molasses in it is going to get. I'm going to give mine til midnight and if it doesn't move a hair I'm going to turn the heat off and let it settle for 48 hrs. If you go by the hydrometer I'm at 9% ABV right now. I think for this recipe its perfect % wise.

SF washes won't always ferment down to 1.000 or below because of the molasses. There's a little unfermentable sugar in molasses that can cause the slightly higher reading. If it's settling out and taste dry, it's probably ready to run.

S-C

That's what I was thinking. Sweet. I checked the SG last night but like a jackass I didn't write it down. I'm almost positive it was the same it is now.

It wasn't as clear as it should be. I probably should have waited but time constraints dictate I do it tonight. I'm on jar 4 of 200ml (excluding 200 fores). I'm drawing 68% abv with a broken stream.

Due51 wrote:It wasn't as clear as it should be. I probably should have waited but time constraints dictate I do it tonight. I'm on jar 4 of 200ml (excluding 200 fores). I'm drawing 68% abv with a broken stream.

12 jars in. I'm at 48% and sensing tails are approaching. I haven't run this as fast as I could, but I'm just more comfortable at the current rate I'm drawing.

By the way, I'm using the Boka in pot still mode. I removed the packing except for 1 ss scrubber at the bottom of the column. The discharge water from the condensor is cold. I'm babying this thing.

Finished the run on Gen 1. Used a gallon of back set for each 5 gal bucket and have started fermenting Gen 2. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

Does everybody do a stripping run followed by a spirit run?

ledyard wrote:

Due51 wrote:I have two 5 gallon batches of this mash that been stuck at 1.002 for 2 days. I started them a week ago today. I just took a reading and the mash has darkened and is pretty clear in the hydrometer test tube. For timing purposes, I'd really like to run this tonight. Aside from not realizing the full alcohol potential, is there any other problems with running this now?

I just checked my 9 day old wash. Smells like beer, tastes like beer, not crackling like bacon. It was a hard crackle. Now its just kinda sizzling. OG was 1.068, added two packets of prestige WD with AG and now its at 1.004. According to the hydrometer 1.004 means its dry. Now obviously my BW went down to .992 or so, so this isn't necessarily true. Its dark in color also little spent corn and oats floating. In the test tube it looked about as clear as something with molasses in it is going to get. I'm going to give mine til midnight and if it doesn't move a hair I'm going to turn the heat off and let it settle for 48 hrs. If you go by the hydrometer I'm at 9% ABV right now. I think for this recipe its perfect % wise.

I was wrong. When I checked it at 2am it was still dropping. 1.001

It'll get unplugged today though.

1.004 or 1.001 is not dry for this recipe. It regularly finishes below 1.000. And it will take a couple days to clear. When it actually finishes. Don't rush it. Let it finish and clear. Yes it will clear more. It won't clear when its still working. It should end up clear like a beer would be.

Right now its sitting at more like 8.5% if you let it finish to under 1.000 it will be closer to 9%.

Prairiepiss wrote:1.004 or 1.001 is not dry for this recipe. It regularly finishes below 1.000. And it will take a couple days to clear. When it actually finishes. Don't rush it. Let it finish and clear. Yes it will clear more. It won't clear when its still working. It should end up clear like a beer would be.

Right now its sitting at more like 8.5% if you let it finish to under 1.000 it will be closer to 9%.

It was at 1.000 when I went to bed last night so I unplugged it. It was pretty clear already. Opaque. I'm letting it sit until at least Tuesday. But probably wont run it til Wednesday.

Welp. This is why there are forums. I just realized, after making two 5gallon batches of 1st generation, stripping those, and starting Gen 2 with a couple scoops of new feed that.......all my feed is pellets. F*** My Ass. I didn't even pay attention and it never even dawned on me. I bought the bag from a friend who owns a feed store locally. He sold me the same stuff he sells another guy who makes shine. I didn't even stop for a second and think about it, even though I have been staring at the contents of this bag for two weeks.

Son of a bitch, I'm dumb.

Due51 wrote:Welp. This is why there are forums. I just realized, after making two 5gallon batches of 1st generation, stripping those, and starting Gen 2 with a couple scoops of new feed that.......all my feed is pellets. F*** My Ass. I didn't even pay attention and it never even dawned on me. I bought the bag from a friend who owns a feed store locally. He sold me the same stuff he sells another guy who makes shine. I didn't even stop for a second and think about it, even though I have been staring at the contents of this bag for two weeks.

Son of a bitch, I'm dumb.

That sucks.


Hey, you never did comment on proof or taste? (unless I missed it)

My first jar was at 72 and it steadily declined down to the 15th jar which was 38%. I tried turning it up and stripping down to 20% but the distillate was cloudy and smelled.

I tasted jar 7 but didn't particularly care for it. I'm hoping it mellows after a couple days.

Due51 wrote:My first jar was at 72 and it steadily declined down to the 15th jar which was 38%. I tried turning it up and stripping down to 20% but the distillate was cloudy and smelled.

I tasted jar 7 but didn't particularly care for it. I'm hoping it mellows after a couple days.

Is that because it was too hot? Harsh? Or did the initial flavor not agree with you?

I've had them resting for 2 days. I'll be doing some taste tests tonight and let you know.

Due51 wrote:EDIT: Also, regarding temps for fermenting. Your sparklets bottle should work fine as long as you clean it real well and sanitize it. Plastic can get scratches in the surface where germs can hide out. I have been fermenting with Fleshman's bread yeast and distilliers yeast. My mash temps are 64-68 degrees. Certain yeasts thrive at certain temperatures. This is something I'm learning about and trying to read up on.

ok what would I use for cleaning and sanitizing my bottles?

The best thing to use for cleaning is a percarbonate such as oxy - clean. You can buy generic brands for a fraction of what oxi - clean costs. Percarbonate rinses completely with water.

Star - San is the best sanitizer because it's water soluble and completely safe. It's a little expensive but it goes a long way.

I recommend you Google John Stones How to Make Gin and Vodka. You can get it free on the Internet in PDF form. There are also hundreds of threads on this here website with the same info. This is a dangerous hobby if you don't learn as much as you can. You'll find that the majority of highly regarded members would prefer you find the answers to your questions on your own, rather than simply give you the answer as I have. It's the old parable; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

ledyard wrote: Hey, you never did comment on proof or taste? (unless I missed it)

Truth be told, I think it sucks. I just tried two diluted samples of jars 7 & 8 (the very middle of the run) and it tastes like medicine. I hate it. I wouldn't serve this to anyone.

This was just a stripping run but I didn't run hard & fast and I made small 200 ml cuts. I don't know if it's because I need to run it a second time, or if it's my pelletized feed, or if I just suck at making liquor. I'm a little disappointed.

Due51 wrote:

ledyard wrote: Hey, you never did comment on proof or taste? (unless I missed it)

Truth be told, I think it sucks. I just tried two diluted samples of jars 7 & 8 (the very middle of the run) and it tastes like medicine. I hate it. I wouldn't serve this to anyone.

This was just a stripping run but I didn't run hard & fast and I made small 200 ml cuts. I don't know if it's because I need to run it a second time, or if it's my pelletized feed, or if I just suck at making liquor. I'm a little disappointed.

You're not suppose to be using pelletized feed for this recipe. That's likely why your product taste like crap. There's tons of information in this thread about which sweet feed products to use or how to make your own - read.

S-C

Actually Due I am only asking question to answers i cannot find. i have pretty much spent the last few days reading and reading, and when i am unable to find the answers i am looking for i do break down and ask.

S-Cackalacky wrote:

Due51 wrote:

ledyard wrote: Hey, you never did comment on proof or taste? (unless I missed it)

Truth be told, I think it sucks. I just tried two diluted samples of jars 7 & 8 (the very middle of the run) and it tastes like medicine. I hate it. I wouldn't serve this to anyone.

This was just a stripping run but I didn't run hard & fast and I made small 200 ml cuts. I don't know if it's because I need to run it a second time, or if it's my pelletized feed, or if I just suck at making liquor. I'm a little disappointed.

You're not suppose to be using pelletized feed for this recipe. That's likely why your product taste like crap. There's tons of information in this thread about which sweet feed products to use or how to make your own - read.

S-C

yea. I know. See my post a couple back.

Due51 wrote:

ledyard wrote: Hey, you never did comment on proof or taste? (unless I missed it)

Truth be told, I think it sucks. I just tried two diluted samples of jars 7 & 8 (the very middle of the run) and it tastes like medicine. I hate it. I wouldn't serve this to anyone.

This was just a stripping run but I didn't run hard & fast and I made small 200 ml cuts. I don't know if it's because I need to run it a second time, or if it's my pelletized feed, or if I just suck at making liquor. I'm a little disappointed.

If you used pellets I thought it was supposed to turn into a pea soup type mess during ferment?

Hey I just remembered a question I had.... I racked off apx 11 gallons to let clear today. I noticed there was a slight oily film on the top. Is this normal? I don't remember reading about anything like this? Misc ingredients in the sweetfeed I assumed. To the touch it is a bit filmy. This wont be an issue inside my still will it?
The sweet feed I used was pellet free.

ledyard wrote: If you used pellets I thought it was supposed to turn into a pea soup type mess during ferment?

Nope. The grain bed remained on the bottom of the bucket. This bag isn't all pellets, mostly cracked corn and oats. If I wanted to spend time, I could probably weed out the pellets and be left with an acceptable feed, but that looks like a lot of work.

Due51 wrote:

ledyard wrote: If you used pellets I thought it was supposed to turn into a pea soup type mess during ferment?

Nope. The grain bed remained on the bottom of the bucket. This bag isn't all pellets, mostly cracked corn and oats. If I wanted to spend time, I could probably weed out the pellets and be left with an acceptable feed, but that looks like a lot of work.

What did the wash look like when you ran it?

I actually had 3 buckets: two 5 gallon and a smaller 1.5gallon that I was going to run in a small stove-top pot still. The 1.5 gallon had been sitting for about 3 weeks and was crystal clear. The other 2 I rushed and weren't quite as clear. I just spent about 30 minutes sifting through the feed to separate the pellets. I got less than a half pound. To hell with it. I'll go find a bag of the proper stuff.

ledyard wrote:Hey I just remembered a question I had.... I racked off apx 11 gallons to let clear today. I noticed there was a slight oily film on the top. Is this normal? I don't remember reading about anything like this? Misc ingredients in the sweetfeed I assumed. To the touch it is a bit filmy. This wont be an issue inside my still will it?
The sweet feed I used was pellet free.

I had the same thing. In my case it was soy oil in the feed. Did not seem to effect it much. After 2nd gen it was gone. I did not add any more sweetfeed after that.

JBR wrote:

ledyard wrote:Hey I just remembered a question I had.... I racked off apx 11 gallons to let clear today. I noticed there was a slight oily film on the top. Is this normal? I don't remember reading about anything like this? Misc ingredients in the sweetfeed I assumed. To the touch it is a bit filmy. This wont be an issue inside my still will it?
The sweet feed I used was pellet free.

I had the same thing. In my case it was soy oil in the feed. Did not seem to effect it much. After 2nd gen it was gone. I did not add any more sweetfeed after that.

Interesting. Thanks JBR

I will throw up a pic of my stuff that is racked off to settle. It doesn't seem to be settling very fast at all. Seems like it will take about two weeks. It looks like apple cider right now.

Some molasses have oils added to them. So they will pour good. Some feeds have some oils added to them. It shouldn't be a problem. May even act as a defoamer. A good hot water rinse should be all that's needed.