Article: Basics of mixing a spirit wash for cold weather, hot weather and basic facts on carbon use in a wash.

Preparing a Sugar Based Wash for fermentation in Cool/Cold weather

To get the best out of Turbo yeasts in cool or cold weather, it is important that the fermentations are started at the right liquid temperature. The wrong start liquid will result in slow fermentations and reduced alcohol quality and strength.

To get the right temperature – first mix hot and cold water to achieve the perfect temperature then reduce the volume before the sugar is added. Be as accurate as possible with temperature and water volumes. Also stir vigorously to incorporate as much oxygen as possible to the benefit of early yeast growth.

To ensure a vigorous fermentation, the liquid should be aerated well BEFORE the yeast is pitched. Avoid aeration of the mix after yeast pitching or reduced yields can result.

For example, in the case of Turbo classic, using 6 kg of dextrose, you first need to prepare 21 litres of water in your fermenter at a temperature of 40° C (by adding hot and cold water to get 40° C then reducing the volume to 21 litres).

When you add 6kg of dextrose the volume will increase to 25 litres and the temperature will drop to around 35°C, which is the perfect pitching temperature for this yeast for cool weather fermentation. Turbo carbon is added at this stage. It might seem easier to add the sugar into the fermenter first, then top up with water, but if you do it this way you run the risk of having un-dissolved sugar which can kill the yeast, even if you did dissolve all the sugar – having the wrong start liquid temperature will result in longer fermentation times and reduced strength, quality and yield.

If the start liquid temperature is wrong the yeast performance will be affected.

It is also important to understand that a large amount of heat is produced during the 12-36 hours fermentation of turbo yeast such that the temperature can often be several degrees higher than the ambient temperature outside the fermenter.

If you are using a heater belt or pads do not turn it on during this time. Extra heating could result in the overheating the wash which will interfere with the fermentation and may even kill the yeast.

For the following example, we use Still Spirits Classic Turbo Yeast, an excellent product and the worlds biggest selling Turbo Yeast for good reason.

If 6 kg wash is made, air temp range is 18-30°C.

If 7 kg 18-25°C – 8kg temp range is 16-23°C. 

This is because yeast cannot tolerate both high temperatures and high alcohol content at the same time.

Above 24°C an 8 kg wash may stick, reducing yields and wasting sugar.

Also a 6 kg wash can finish in 36 hours at 25°C.

8 kg may take 10-12 or even 14+ days at the correct temperature.

During this time you could have done 9 X 6 kg batches!

Preparing a sugar Based wash in summer temperatures (30^oC – 40oC)

Summer heralds the arrival of all sorts of needless issues for brewers.  Once the daytime temperature in your location reach 30^o C +, the following will apply;

1. Keep it simple. Add approximately 10 litres of tap water to the cleaned and sanitized fermenter.
2. Add 6 Kg of Dextrose – slowly – while stiring to aerated and ensure the dextrose is dissolved.
3. Once the dextrose is dissolved, add more water a few litres at a time and keep stiring
4. If your finished wash has reached a temperature in the vicinity of 25 ^o – 32^oC, it’ll be fine.
5. DON’T try to start a wash at a temperature of 40 degrees in hot weather – it’ll most likely stall and fail.
6. Airlock the container with just enough water to fill the U at the bottom of the airlock.

Avoid trying to ferment more than 6kg of fermentable sugar (ie cane sugar, dextrose, turbo sugar or other) in hot weather. There really isn't a yeast out there yet that will do a great job of cleanly fermenting a high alcohol wash in hot temperatures. The combination of high alcohol ie 18-20 % and 38-40 degrees weather don't bode well for yeast health nor quality end product.

Note: Sitting in eager anticipation of airlock bubbling activity whilst playing the spoons won’t make it happen any faster. Relax &  Have a home brew.

Carbon Use In Your wash:

Fact and Fiction

Turbo Carbon – Specifically designed for use during fermentation. It actually adsorbs impurities as they are being formed by yeast in the wash, this is then dropped to the bottom with the yeast after the addition of turbo clear, vastly reducing the impurity level going into the boiler and increasing the efficiency of your filter carbon for a purer, cleaner and smoother spirit.

One of the myths about Turbo Carbon is that it negates the need to filter the finished spirit. – ALWAYS FILTER YOUR SPIRIT with an appropriate grade of carbon.

Another myth is that turbo carbon has no effect on the finished spirit. WRONG. Turbo Carbon removes many of the impurities and significantly increases the effectiveness of your final carbon filtration.

See other articles about:

Clearing the wash

Carbon Filtration

How much spirit to collect