Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

From the videos I have watched not actual experience they all seem to say non viable grain will float. Agitate while overflowing pot seems to be way they all do it. Gets rid of ergot also. And gets rid dirt. A really strong air pump would do it I reakon(linear piston aquarium pump) or get ya arm in there and give it a good stir.

Have heard people say skin contact can cause bacterial infection. Not sure how critical it is .

Cheers Bluc, thats basically the way I was thinking to do it (while doing the first steep of the grain), just thought you might have had a better way. You planning the try and kiln the grain or only dry it out?

I will be kilning yes.ale malt will be my target :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Not happy with growth rate 2x6hrs steep. Doing 3x 8hrs steep see what happens..

Are you calculating the moisture level of the grain when steeping? I usually do 8 hour steeps (with barley/rye) until the mosture hits 42% or so, usually goes alright from there.

Experimenting with small amounts. First lot with 2x 6hr steeps has gone crazy overnight.
From this



To this in 24hrs.


I have another test started where I will do 3x 8hr steeps see if any improvement in germination rate.
Yes I plan on testing water content :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Did an experiment did 2x 8hrs steep 8hr rest between each then a 2hr steep. Growth is faster imho but not sure if thats a good thing.
First lot


Second lot at about same timeframe.

Grain generally just looks fuller plumper to me.

Was the water/ambient temp the same for both batches? That can have a fair effect on the water uptake/growth of the grain from what I have read. Most references I have seen have said to keep the temp around 15 degrees while steeping/germinating.

Yea same temp both done at ambient warmer then 15 more like 20 no way to control temp, yet.

https://youtu.be/4bWiI85G4Ak
Aint no way 40kg will fit a 100l pot.
Maybe be an upgrade nessacary dam rabbit holes I keep falling into...

Well i was aiming for 100kg in a 200L drum so now you've got me wondering. How much was in that pot? What size are you thinking you'll need for your 40kg batches?

20kg. I reakon I will need a 200l drum.
For a 100kg you better get an ibc..

Possibly need some sort of engine crane to lift that stuff once it absorbs the water :laughing-rolling:

Yea its already 30kg dry :laughing-rolling:

I’ve got a 2000kg engine hoist/crane :teasing-neener:

:twisted:

The Stig wrote:I’ve got a 2000kg engine hoist/crane :teasing-neener:

I think you meant to say had, we all know where you live lol

Wellsy wrote:

The Stig wrote:I’ve got a 2000kg engine hoist/crane :teasing-neener:

I think you meant to say had, we all know where you live lol

Come get it , I dare ya :teasing-neener:

Ok so I reakon a vertical drum is definately not ideal. You cant agitate by hand without damaging rootlets. Also fair bit heat build up(deep grain bed) colder climate might be better. Today is day four and Have very little rootlet growth.Will give it one more day then dry and kiln.
Eill build v2 in coming days and use the pot for my kiln.

So first lot malt not a complete success but i have something to mash. Vertical drum = to deep grain bed to hard to stir not enough air flow. But makes a great auto steeper and kiln. Will make a standard horizontal drum roller to germinate after steeping.
I made a kilo of choc malt and chewing some taste like burnt toast. Chewing some with some rum in mouth taste like dark choc and coffee combined with homemade malt should make nice whisky.