Day 11

[Sam Smythe]

Hi guys,
I have had my very first wash on now for 11 days. The destructions I got with the AirStill kit and you tube vids I saw indicated that the wash should be ready after about 7 days. It is still sitting at an SG of 1.000, although it is going down. The temperature has always been between 20 to 24 deg C. Have I done something wrong, or is the wash buggered?
Thanks in advance, Sam

[Wellsy]

Just be patient Sam
If it is still dropping it is still working mate so it’s all good. It is amazing how much variation there is in washes even when using the same recipe.
You are aiming to get to .990 in an ideal world

[The Stig]

What wash is it ?

[Sam Smythe]

Thank you Wellsy, I will stay patient. The Stig,... Being new, I'm sorry, I didnt know what you mean with what wash is it? It was 7.5 litres of water, in a 10 litre bucket sterilsed with the "no rinse" sterilisattion sachet, and the Turbo yeast sachet added. Oh, and 3.5 kg of sugar

[RuddyCrazy]

Thank you Wellsy, I will stay patient. The Stig,... Being new, I'm sorry, I didnt know what you mean with what wash is it? It was 7.5 litres of water, in a 10 litre bucket sterilsed with the "no rinse" sterilisattion sachet, and the Turbo yeast sachet added. Oh, and 3.5 kg of sugar

Look like it will be good for a sac run while you put down a WBAB ferment and ditch the turbo yeast :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Sam Smythe]

As a side issue, again being an absolute newbie...if I was to buy a biiger fermenting bucket ( 25l), will that double the fermentation time, or does it remain the same due to the increased sugar and nutrient?

[Sam Smythe]

Thanks for your response Ruddy Craze. Again, I am sorry, I am very new. I do not understand the initials you have put in to explain something. And should I not buy more Turbo yeast, and if so, why. Please don't construe this as an attack, it is not....I am ignorant and looking for any help and advice I can get

[chipboy]

Sam,

WBAB = wheat bix all bran, a mixture that is called a wash when mixed with sugar, water and yeast. Your wash is water sugar and turbo yeast.

Read on in here and ask away, everyone needs to learn someway.

[Sam Smythe]

Thanks Chipboy

[The Stig]

I may be wrong here but aren’t most turbo packs designed fir 25L wash ?

[RuddyCrazy]

Hi Sam if you go and look at the tried and true forum there is a thread called WBAB which is a wheatbix/allbran recipe and it uses lowans bread yeast. Going with a larger fermenter is the go and stripping the wash with your still in pot still mode will give you low wines. Now when you have enough low wines you water them down to 40% MAX and then do a spirit run in reflux mode. This will give a good neutral that won't need any clearing agents and can be tempered down after cuts are taken the next day to 35-40% for your drinking pleasure.

If you have any questions just ask away mate :handgestures-thumbupleft: as we will try and help you to learn to make this hobby an enjoyable one where you make the best product you can.

Regards Bryan

Edit: wrote this post 1/2 an hour ago but forgot to hit submit as I was getting nagged to go pickup my daughter

[Sam Smythe]

Hi Stig, and thank you for your reply. In answer to your question, I really don't know. My kit came wit a 10l bucket, and the destructions said to put in 7.5 litres of water, 3.5kg of sugar, and the full contents of the yeast and yeast nutrician sachets

[The Stig]

Could you take a pic of the yeast pack and show us ?

[Wellsy]

Hello Sam
Lots of abbreviations to learn mate so have a read of the newbie section Sam.
There is a topic on abbreviations and what they mean. I still refer to it lol, many do, it is a very handy tool.
The reason so many dislike the turbo yeast is mainly 2 fold. Firstly many question its constitution as it was developed for the biofuel industry and no one is sure it is food grade. Secondly you get a far nicer tasting product by using other recipes at a much cheaper cost

[Sam Smythe]

H Stig, I have a pic of the yeast sachet, but how do I post it? Sorry for being such a dope

[The Stig]

Post reply
Click add attachment , it’s toward the bottom then upload attachment

[RuddyCrazy]

H Stig, I have a pic of the yeast sachet, but how do I post it? Sorry for being such a dope

Hi Sam,
When you click on post reply at the bottom of the page is a section where you attach a file, click on that then click on the next icon that comes up to upload the pic. The page will refresh then scroll down but remember first to place the cursor where you want the pic then click place inline. Then the link will be placed where you put the cursor and it is a good idea to preview your post to ensure you got it right.

Cheers Bryan

[southern45]

If you're using the gear that came with the AirStill (mine came with a 10L fermenter, way too small) with Turbo yeast and whatnot and you don't live somewhere really cold, then 11 days sounds like a long time. I think my first 10L Turbo was done in 3-4 days!

I quickly ditched the 10L bucket for a 25L fermenter and with Weet Bix washes they'd ferment out in a week. Then you can double distill and get a far cleaner product that using the Turbo rubbish and clearing chemicals. Have a read through the document I've attached for some good info on running an AirStill. With a bit of work you can get a decent enough product out of them, it just takes some effort.

[Sam Smythe]

Turbo_yeast_sachet[1].jpg

Thanks Stig and Ruddycrazy. Here tis....hopefully

[Sam Smythe]

Hey Southern 45, thank you very much for the attachment regarding the Air Still, I really appreciate it. I am 1/4 way through reading it. I am also atm degassing my very first wash by stirring and reading the attachment in between stirs.
And yeah, I am seriously considering a bigger fermentation bucket, but am waiting to see what my fist attempt is like.

Guys, the wash has a fruity smell to it, is this normal and/or expected?
Kind regards to all of you who are helping me out,
Sam