We regularly make 1000 liter TPW which is a quarter tonne of sugar.. I have never had a stuck mash so will let you know some of my methods. I always use Fermaid and go ferm (available from winequip Melbourne) but if you guys start using it I suggest we organise a bulk buy as it is not available in less tha about 1 kg. These are really premium wine yeast nutrients and dried spent yeast hulls. Also, and I know that everyone has their favourites I use QV 43 lallemand yeast... Man this yeast is so clean and fast that I dropped a spoonful in the bathtub when my wife Lyn was bathing and when I came back she was 47% ABV. This stuff would ferment the dog if you fed it some. It is an agressive, clean and complete fermenter. But it leaves no bad smells and makes the sweetest vodka... I rate it higher than EC 118 prise de mouse as the best neutral yeast there is. also can be bought at winequip. in 500 gram blocks but if you are doing large TPW's that is about the size to buy it otherwise a group buy would be the go.
To aerate a large volume aquariom diaphragm pump connected to two 900mm aircurtains and 4 stainless steel aeration heads (craftbrewer) 2 at .5 micron and 2 at 2 micron. we aerate for 1 1/2 hours.
to dissolve the sugar we do it in as little water as possible at 70 degrees out of the tap. using a large paddle as a stirrer. It takes about 500 litres to disolve 250 kg sugar...then we water down to 100litres with cold water...all the water is rain water, untreated. we aim to pitch at 35 degrees C. having re hydrated at this temp. The ferment will take no less than 3 weeks, I always allow 4 weeks. we ferment in a hot room kept at a constant 20 degrees.
Whiloe we also make a grain vodka. There is little doubt that the TPW has a place when doing lighter styles, and especially for making tincture based flavoured vodkas and bitters. Our Rose Petal vodka is simply awful when based on grain and yet is light and very delicate when using TPW. For extracting delicate botanicals for a more fragrant bitter such as the one in this latest issue of the MD magazine definately use TPW. It is clean and does not muck with the flavours. Take care.
Doc
reference:
Sources for the things I use to make these spirits are
Distilling equipment - 5 Star
Yeast and Yeast nutrients - Lallemand via winequip Melbourne
Herbs and botanicals - Austral herbs (online) kentucky NSW
You can also buy DAP very cheaply from agricultural suppliers such as Elders and Grays ag as it is used as a fertilizer.