Home Distiller

Well this is my second time doing this and it doesnt seem to be working as well as the first. I think it may have something to do with the yeast since that is the only different variable in the process. The first time I used 48hour turbo yeast with an Airlock and the airlock was going nuts for a couple days. This time im using Red Star Champagne yeast and I havent seen one bubble come out of the airlock since I did it. Not really sure what I would have done wrong, or if there is even anything wrong? The packet said to add yeast around 100 degrees F. I was in the 95 - 100 range when I added it. Using 20L total and one packet is good for 20-25L. Any advice? Is there any way I can check to make sure its not just a big waste bucket at this point? Its been about 4 days.

More info would ne nice. What recipe? How much sugar? What are the temps now? Are you sure the lid is on good. And not leaking.

Just using corn right now until I get into the swing of things. It was 4 gallons of distilled water, about 6lbs of sugar. Im not really using any specific recipe, just kind of winging it. The lid is on tight, that was the first thing I checked. The temp is at 73 degrees F. Has a beer/alcohol type scent to it.

" Has a beer/alcohol type scent to it."
then it either worked or is working.
it takes a very small leak and no bubbles from air lock.
if you have a hydrometer check,if not check for bubbles,check for taste.

+1 Dnderhead.

just kind of winging it.

After this one is done. Do everyone a favor. And go to the tried and true section and use a good recipe. You want corn sugarhead try UJSSM.

Haha thanks guys. Yeah common sense says to use a real recipe. Im just trying to get a good feel for everything right now. Still reading a learning as I go.

if you jump in and change everything then you don't know what you did right or wrong.

lovePitbulls wrote: It was 4 gallons of distilled water

Distilled water has all of the minerals/etc taken out of it. Just use tap water/spring water

Dnderhead wrote:if you jump in and change everything then you don't know what you did right or wrong.

Yeah Im not really sure what I would have done wrong, if anything is wrong that is. Just so new that its hard to tell when something is right or wrong when the results are different everytime, haha. I guess my thought process was that I couldnt go wrong with corn, sugar, water, and yeast. I cant imagine my measurements being insanely off. Really the only thing I did different then my first run when I was getting the bubble from my airlock was that I used 5 gallons of water, and I used the turbo yeast.

Temp seems good still, its been 6 days and it smells pretty good. I havent done a taste test yet, im scared haha. If something is off, what would be indicators?

I wish I would have known about the tap water thing. I searched it but I always get mixed opinions about it. Ill just use tap for now while im still getting the hang of everything. Thatll save me some money.

If you live in the city and your water has a lot of chlorine, and chemicals in it... then you would be better off using some spring water or bottled water.