Solar Oven aging

Discuss everything about oaking and aging here

Solar Oven aging

Postby tox » Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:34 pm

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
tox
 
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:18 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast
equipment: T5oo copper, alcoengine potstill

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby Doubleuj » Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:26 pm

I’ve had decent results with destress ageing with heat
Doubleuj
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3630
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:15 pm
Location: rockhampton qld
equipment: 4" stainless glasser

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby Sam. » Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:24 am

Wouldn’t it better to use a metal box instead of an insulated esky?
Sam.
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 10405
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:19 pm
Location: South Oz Straya
equipment: Original FSD 5 plate 4 inch modular bubbler SSG with hand crafted plates and parrot by Mac.
18 Gal boiler.
2 x 2400W elements and power controller.
.

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby tox » Sun Aug 25, 2019 2:42 pm

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.
tox
 
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:18 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast
equipment: T5oo copper, alcoengine potstill

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby warramungas » Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:48 am

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.
warramungas
 
Posts: 1436
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:38 pm
Location: Nor Perth
equipment: 180 litre fermenter x 2
30 liter boiler
PDA-1
2" four plate modular bubbler
2" one meter long LM column
110 liter boiler with 25 liter (max) inline thumper
4" x 4 plate bubble cap still

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby 2deadly.308 » Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:07 pm

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
2deadly.308
 
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 1:18 am
Location: Perth
equipment: .

50L keg boiler, 4800W

2" Potty

2" reflux

4" potty

4" 6 plate glass bubbler + 500mm packed section

Positive Mental Attitude

No friends

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby RC Al » Sun Feb 20, 2022 5:15 pm

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 ?
Last edited by RC Al on Sun Feb 20, 2022 5:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RC Al
Mentor
 
Posts: 1568
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:58 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast Area
equipment: 3 plate 4" glasser
2" Potty

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby 2deadly.308 » Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:33 am

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.
2deadly.308
 
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 1:18 am
Location: Perth
equipment: .

50L keg boiler, 4800W

2" Potty

2" reflux

4" potty

4" 6 plate glass bubbler + 500mm packed section

Positive Mental Attitude

No friends

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby bluc » Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:31 pm

When I do sous vide lemoncello i only go to 54. I am with rc 84c is a bit sketchy..
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby RuddyCrazy » Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:49 pm

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:
RuddyCrazy
Mentor
 
Posts: 2439
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:36 pm
Location: Not far from Kanmantoo SA
equipment: 4" copper bubbler with a setup for Neutral and a thumper for Whisky and my old 5 litre pot for doing maceration runs and MiniMe the baby pot still

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby 2deadly.308 » Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:51 am

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
2deadly.308
 
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 1:18 am
Location: Perth
equipment: .

50L keg boiler, 4800W

2" Potty

2" reflux

4" potty

4" 6 plate glass bubbler + 500mm packed section

Positive Mental Attitude

No friends

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby bluc » Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:44 am

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).
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Solar Oven aging

Postby 2deadly.308 » Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:49 pm

Perfect, thanks mate. Will look into that.
2deadly.308
 
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 1:18 am
Location: Perth
equipment: .

50L keg boiler, 4800W

2" Potty

2" reflux

4" potty

4" 6 plate glass bubbler + 500mm packed section

Positive Mental Attitude

No friends


Return to Oaking and Aging



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests

cron

x