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Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:34 pm
by tox
Hi guys,

Been doing runs in the background, reading lots but not posting results, I am not getting anything different or crazy than the norm. I don't see much point in posting for the sake of posting, but.......has anyone made a solar oven for rapid ageing?

I have been watching(youtube) and reading more about ageing spirits, whisk(e)y in particular, and it seems that the yearly variation in temperature for the big distilleries, and some of the new age distilleries are playing with vacuum and heat exchange stuff depending on the 'science' stuff with the reaction of the woods. (Cleveland in particular).

I was wondering if anyone has tried solar oven ageing and what were the results?

The reason for this is I walked into my garden shed to get the mower last weekend and it was hot AF. I put down 1.5 lt of TFFV @60abv with 50gm the standard Kentucky Bourbon Chips 6 days ago, left it in the shed as I worked away this week. Proofed some down to 45abv this arvo it is best I have made so far. I did only proof down enough to make up a bottle so I will leave the rest for longer to see how it goes. Caveat, I do not have a temp gauge in the shed yet but when making the oven I will get to compare temps.

I am thinking of converting an old esky (or similar) into a solar oven and leaving it in the longest sun drenched part of my yard so it can get the fluctuations over a week. I shall leave the rest of the TFFV in the shed and compare. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Just a side note, thanks so much for everyone on this forum. You guys all make this hobby more interesting.

Regards,

†ox

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:26 pm
by Doubleuj
I’ve had decent results with destress ageing with heat

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:24 am
by Sam.
Wouldn’t it better to use a metal box instead of an insulated esky?

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 2:42 pm
by tox
I reckon a metal box would be a great option, with the esky it would be lined with alfoil, topped with glass to trap the heat and reflect it inwards to the centre. from my limited understanding it would direct heat to the centre, not sure if it would be amplified. I know there are pretty smart guys here so any info would be awesome.

Distress ageing is a great thread, I read that a while ago and tried the microwave oven ageing, it worked ok but the jar I had that fit in the microwave oven had a bubble and I was a little paranoid that it might crack. I was only doing 60seconds on, putting the lid on and letting cool. once the lid got the vacuum thing I would do it again.

Thanks for the replies.

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:48 am
by warramungas
Dunno how got it is over tgere but if using a plastic esky and youre amplifying the heat inside watch it doesnt start to melt.

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:07 pm
by 2deadly.308
I have started doing this with a solar oven that I made.

Gets bloody hot in there. Have had the spirits up to about 80C°

Been cycling for a few days now. Days spent in the solar oven, then into the freezer at night.

Has anyone else done this?
I am concerned about overheating the spirit and altering flavours, would that be a thing?

Thanks

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 5:15 pm
by RC Al
At 80 degrees i would be investigating the flash point of the abv in there...

Might go boom with out a safety fan/ something? ifn you aint careful ?

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:33 am
by 2deadly.308
Measured with a laser temp gun at 78.4°C today.
Would have to get much hotter than that to combust, surely!

I am just curious to know whether that much heat would adversely alter flavours. Too early in my journey to know that.

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:31 pm
by bluc
When I do sous vide lemoncello i only go to 54. I am with rc 84c is a bit sketchy..

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:49 pm
by RuddyCrazy
I've been reading this thread and shaking my head as to why would one heatup aging spirit to close to 80C and think it going to better :scared-eek:

After all the motto we have here is "just hurry up and wait"

So keep making your quality product and age it then after 12 months nicely aged spirit so keep producing for the next year then one will what was made 2 years ago is the best and by the time all thats gone the next batch is ready.

the only thing i can think why this method is used the op must want the angels to get drunk on the spirit as with higher temps they do get thirsty :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:51 am
by 2deadly.308
Yeah mate, spot on, it's no substitute for actual aging. Just thought I'd give the fast aging (oaking not aging) method a go. Pretty crazy getting 2 years worth of colour into a batch in an afternoon. Certainly no substitute for proper aging, just wondering if the heat breaks anything down as such. Knowing me and how crap I am at most things I've probably ruined this batch anyway. Dad was right, I always find a way to screw things up!

Similarly, does exposure to light do any harm to our aging booze? Most of my stuff just gets a little ambient light in the shed but thinking I should maybe cover it up a little.

Cheers

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:44 am
by bluc
I have everything in a cupboard but I dont worry too much bout some light
Nothing wrong with what your doing just keep temp down. A controlled water bath works good. You can buy pretty cheap circulaters(sous vide machine).

Re: Solar Oven aging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:49 pm
by 2deadly.308
Perfect, thanks mate. Will look into that.