mc rum

[youngy]

hi all question when using dunder for next gen say 20-30% when i top up with water i get ph of around 3.5 to 4 % i like to start my washes at about 5.8 ph to 6 so i get a fast fermentation so to my question do you guys raise ph with calcium carbonate to get ph in sweet spot or do you just wait 4 weeks to ferment or stall which has happened to me in the past asking because ive never used calcium carbonate

[bluc]

Never checked ph with rum I use 25% dunder and do 5gens. But just cause it works for me doesn't mean it will for you I used calcium carbonate in a homemade golden syrup recipe I did From memory I think I used 2 tablespoons in 60l its the only time I have used it..Raised it from 3.5 to 5.5-6 using strips to test :-B

[rumdidlydum]

I don't adjust the ph at all. I just monitor the amount of dunder I use to keep it above 4.9ish. Which is anywhere between 2ltrs to 3ltrs in a 30ltr wash :-B

[youngy]

thanks guys are you using lowans bakers yeast or acid liking Lalvin EC-1118 im using bakers and how long do your ferments take just comparing wether i should adjust ph or use different yeast ?

[bluc]

I only use lowans. Ferment in middle of summer have had them finish in 3days cleared and run in 5 in winter about 10 days is the norm. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Boardy62]

I have read often ec118 is more a workhorse yeast longer type fermentation which can give a higher ABV where with a rum you want to run hard and quick,apparently that gives the best flavour. I have also been told as advise that you can reduce Dunder volume down to 15% as it does reduce ph over generations may I suggest 2 nd gen 25 then subsequent lower to 15% :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[youngy]

thanks very much always good to know what others are doing :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[TasSpirits]

I use 5L dunder per gen from gen 2 to 5, at gen 3 I add 1 heaped tsp of calcium carbonate to keep it fermenting fast, haven taken ph readings. All washes ferment out in 3 days max, in summer or temp controlled. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[youngy]

TasSpirits hi mate whats your start ph when you have adjusted ph before pitching yeast ? thats what im trying to get at because when i use that much dunder and mixed mine is about 4 which i think is too low. thanks for the reply and is causing me a slow ferment.should i adjust to 5.8 ?

[youngy]

sorry just relized you dont take ph

[coffe addict]

I use lime to keep the ph to around 5.5 starting out. I use 30L dunder in a 180L ferment. I also don't use sugar just molasses. It's usually takes a bit longer as the sg is higher making the yeast work harder. It produces a strong heavy rum.

[youngy]

coffee addict thanks bloke thats what ill do ill add 20 % dunder and keep start off ph at 5.8 start point even if it means adding lime to get it there as from what i read dunder is very important to flavour complexity :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: of the rum

[coffe addict]

Welcome mate, it's all about finding what works for your tastebuds!

[Cheersbigears]

Hey
coffe addict when using all molasses how much do you use for the 25-30lt wash. Instead of 3 sugar and 3lts molasses you just use 6lts or a little more ???

[coffe addict]

Hey mate I use 7L as there's less fermentable sugar in molasses. I also take sg reading and have found 1.1 to be the upper limit and it won't go below 1.03 above 1.1 it will most likely stall.

[Cheersbigears]

Thanks for that and that's with the DAP, acid, salt and 20g of yeast is all the same or you dont worry about that.

[bluc]

Personally found straight molasses wash 6l in 30l total wash to ott and sickley. bout as heavy as I go is original mcrum 25% dunder 5 gens..

[Cheersbigears]

ok sounds good and sounds like it may puke more. I might increase slower not go all out

[coffe addict]

I don't bother with dap. I do use Epsom and the same amount of yeast. The citric is only needed if your not using dunder.
I don't have issues with puking much as it usually gets a week or more to settle out before I run it.
As it's a heavy rum it does take longer to for aging.
Think Ron zaccappa Solera 23.
I find mc rum to be alot like Mt gay rum bland and lacking complexity. I'm not bagging it, it's just not to my liking.