Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Bentonite at work notice difference from top to bottom. This is after 5ish hours

What it looked like when I racked it off. The back middle bottle. Front two are banana wine. Did I mention I Hate wine :puke-huge:

From memory it was a dextrose wash + turbo yeast. And Mixed with ginger beer syrup from soda stream :puke-huge:

After 3 days after fermentation has finished and 48 hours after racking and fining:

Goobers in the wash!
At first I thought that the gelatine had coalesced but then I realised this is the turbo clear version - no wonder it hasn't cleared.
I am assuming that the turbo clear was out of date - I had had it a longish while.
I doubt that this is harmful, I'll scoop it out and bentonite the bastard.

It's not a good look though is it?

(PS am I hijacking this thread or is it relevant?)

This is the smaller sample that had added glycerine and stuck in the fridge, after taking out of the fridge and the chill haze clearing it is the type of "clearness" I am looking for:

(This is just prior to adding the bentonite and given a good shake)

How does Diatomaceous Earth work for filtering.

I'm not sure. Is bentonite classifies as a flocculent?
I would have thought all the sharp edges on it would prevent it binding up with floaties?

Edit: I presume you mean adding it to a wash and not using it like a packed filter you run your wash through.

Is best floculant I tried stopped testing once I used it. Apparently when wet it gets an electrical charge and it binds with the stuff in wash then falls from suspension. If not happy with results stir it back up and let it clear again.
Yes adding it to a wash not as a filter medium. Can be added during fermentation or after.. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

bluc wrote:Is best floculant I tried stopped testing once I used it. Apparently when wet it gets an electrical charge and it binds with the stuff in wash then falls from suspension. If not happy with results stir it back up and let it clear again.
Yes adding it to a wash not as a filter medium. Can be added during fermentation or after.. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

It hasn't worked for me unfortunately, have you ever used it in a sugar wash?

Yes that is what mine was turbo sugar wash. Weird no idea why it wouldnt work. How much you use and did you rehydrate it first?

bluc wrote:Yes that is what mine was turbo sugar wash. Weird no idea why it wouldnt work. How much you use and did you rehydrate it first?

Followed the instructions on the packet 12 gms per 20L, rehydrated for 4 hours, stirring every hour.
Second test rehydrated over night, stirred twice.

Have just shaken up the first (as you advise) for a second run.

Weird only thing that worked for me was bentonite....

After around 14 hours of cold (freeze) crashing, the picture does not do it justice as the "trub" is out of focus, in real life it is clear as a bell. Sadly this seems to be the only method that works for me.

I think I will invest in a freezer chest as when you are as far away from a supermarket as I am it has a myriad of uses. I have resisted thus far mainly because I don't like meat that has been frozen.

BTW The second run of the bentonite did not clear at all. I am very disappointed with that.

I personally think you are going a bit hard with the clarifying.

As long as the majority of the yeast and what ever other particles you have added has settled on the bottom and you siphon off the top that is more than enough.

If your making whisky and rum it can be argued it's better to have this go into the boiler.

Sam. wrote:I personally think you are going a bit hard with the clarifying.

As long as the majority of the yeast and what ever other particles you have added has settled on the bottom and you siphon off the top that is more than enough.

If your making whisky and rum it can be argued it's better to have this go into the boiler.

Yes, if I was making a dark spirit that would definitely be the case, although then I would be using a pot still too.

I am making a neutral (Ted's FFV) and have noticed that the clearer I can get it the shorter the tails seem to be, in addition I am hoping to have less stuff building up on the elements.

I should reiterate that I am not after perfect clarity but I don't want totally opaque either and that's what I have at the moment.

This is a shot of what it looks like after > 2 weeks after fermentation and racking:
download/file.php?id=19650&mode=view

(actually this from a previous wash, the latest is even more opaque for some reason.

This is what Ted's looks like after 24 hours
download/file.php?id=19649&mode=view

...and I generally go on what's good for Ted is good for me.

Having read through this thread I thought I'd give Benontite a go on a sugar wash. I re-hydrated 12 grams for four hours, stirring it every now and then and stirred it into the mash yesterday. I just had a look at it and wow! Clear. I'm very impressed.

Stevejb wrote:Having read through this thread I thought I'd give Benontite a go on a sugar wash. I re-hydrated 12 grams for four hours, stirring it every now and then and stirred it into the mash yesterday. I just had a look at it and wow! Clear. I'm very impressed.

You depress me! :-( What the hell could I be doing wrong then? What yeast are you using?

I'm just using Lowans yeast. I do aerate the wash with a dual aquarium pump and air stones for around 2 hours before adding it. BTW, how do you quote someone's post in here?

Stevejb wrote:I'm just using Lowans yeast. I do aerate the wash with a dual aquarium pump and air stones for around 2 hours before adding it. BTW, how do you quote someone's post in here?

See the little button marked “quote” above each post?

Doubleuj wrote:

Stevejb wrote:I'm just using Lowans yeast. I do aerate the wash with a dual aquarium pump and air stones for around 2 hours before adding it. BTW, how do you quote someone's post in here?

See the little button marked “quote” above each post?

D'oh!