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Large ferments

PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:37 pm
by bac206
Hi all. I just typed out a huge long post and the internet decided it'd had enough and closed as I went to post it :doh: , now couldn't be assed typing it all again. Anyways
I wanna oak some BWKO for a long time and need to get some up my sleeve for this.
Has anyone attempted fermenting in a 180L batch and taking it out in 50L batches with a week or 2 in between?
Curious if it A. Affects the taste,
B. Affects of not being able to add backsets if doing multiple gens.
Im stripping with a 50kg and 2" pot until I can afford a bubbler
Thanks in advance (specially after my shitty second time round typing) :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Large ferments

PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:53 pm
by Yummyrum
Never done BWKO but I have done large Rum ferments and distilled it in several batches so regarding backset ,just keep it separate after each strip .Generally you never need all the Backset so you might find you only need to keep the last few strips to add to the next batch.

I Sterilize mine before feeding back so this would be an OK thing to do if your storing it for a while . Some blokes just store it in the freezer :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Large ferments

PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:55 pm
by Kimbo
If your worried about adding backset mate, you could do a small batch first and save all the backset from that and then do your 180L wash :handgestures-thumbupleft:
people do large batches all the time so you should be right mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Large ferments

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:11 am
by OzKev
I've never tried this, but could you

Pull your first 50L batch off, leaving 130l.
Run the 50L through the still and keep all the dunder as backset the for 130L
Once the backset is cool add it to the fermenter along with 4kg of sugar. That should get the alcohol back to 10%.
Ferment out as normal

Then you have enough wash for 3 more runs that has has some ferment using backset.
If it still isn't sour enough you could always add more backset and sugar again after the second still run.

Large ferments

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 7:39 pm
by wedwards
I'm doing a 200L ferment of whiskey wash at present and will just take it off in 40-50L batches through the pot still over the course of a few weekends. Just don't have it exposed to air for too long and you should be right, especially if your wash is up around 10% or so.

Re: Large ferments

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:11 pm
by booma
G'day

I've just stepped up from 80l ferments to a 200l. That's total capacity. I'm sour mash so lots of grain in there.

I ferment on grain.

Mash tun is a 44l esky, multiple jobs.

The plan is a about 170l wash.

4 runs in 50l boiler.


Stepping to a 200l has increased all the numbers but same formula.

I'll so how I go.

Re: Large ferments

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:16 pm
by bac206
Thanks gents :techie-idea: :techie-idea: . Now to get my hands on a big drum.