 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2014(UTC)
Posts: 38
|
"hate to ask stupid questions, all I make is likker, no beer no wine, so what is a air lock? and what is it's purpose? I have always let my mash breath, covered with a good screen and lose lid - never in the house, normally in my garage
one other question, I was told to stir my mash once a day everyday untill you cook it. is this correct? for corn mash? and for just yeast/sugar wash?
Thanks - Cajun"
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/15/2012(UTC)
Posts: 720
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
|
Heya Cajun,
Using an airtight fermentation vessel for a lot of us ensures that no more oxygen gets in and the airlock keeps air out, but allows CO2(produced by the ferment) to vent. An airtight container also serves as a bacterial barrier. I have read a lot of threads on forums about airtight/not airtight on ferments, and for some washes things work out well either way.
For me, I use airtight fermenters and airlocks so i feel I have a modicum of control over the fermentation (prolly a damn illusion).
As to stirring that corn mash, I'll leave that to someone who does them...As for the sugar/Yeast wash, you really only melt the sugar in the wash, add the nutrients, cool to pitch temp, toss yer yeast and then go... I don't really think that one leaves it for days/hours... It could get infected with outside pollens or bacteria...
Now, Yes, you stir the heck outa the sugar/nutrient wash to infuse more oxygen in it prior to yeast pitch. But once your yeast cap has been formed and you stir it down and cover it, you pretty much let nature take her course... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2014(UTC)
Posts: 38
|
Thanks RCRED for replying, you stated
".As for the sugar/Yeast wash, you really only melt the sugar in the wash, add the nutrients, cool to pitch temp, toss yer yeast and then go... I don't really think that one leaves it for days/hours... It could get infected with outside pollens or bacteria... "
I bought the gold label turbo yeast here and it had sveral recipes, I choose the 7 day ferment one, so I think or thought I am on the right track to cook it sunday, but I have been stirring it each day, then cover back with screen and loose lid.
if I am wrong please fill me in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/15/2012(UTC)
Posts: 720
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
|
Originally Posted by: Cajun  if I am wrong please fill me in. Yes, I have read about that stirring thing on the sugar washes many times. I cannot say it's wrong if it works for you :) And that's really at the heart of it. We are practicing a science, and asking Nature to join with us, and she's one versatile lady  Peeps have been fermenting for eon's and I'm pretty sure they didn't have plastic airlocks then  From the ones I have done (so far), once I seal that fermenter, it stays sealed unless it sticks and I need to agitate it or repitch, etc, or at the end, when I check it's gravity with a hydrometer when the ferment slows or stops (no more bubbles in the airlock)...  If'n it's low enough (1.000 or lower) it's done. Even then, I let it settle for two days after that before I rack it off. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2010(UTC)
Posts: 453
|
As far as the airlock goes, I use them, I like to let the thing sit there for several days after the fermentation is done to clear. In a open fermenter I wouldn't do that since there isn't a CO2 barrier in a breathable fermenter after fermentation quits. O2 gets to it and it can get contaminated and or turn to vinegar but if you run it basically while it's still fermenting it should work OK. Like said, it keeps the ferment from getting contaminated and keeps out the O2 so the C2H5OH can be produced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2010(UTC)
Posts: 453
|
Stirring? Man with my recipe for a few days after starting I've had it go off like a shook up root beer. I ain't kidding you it was coming out of the ferment bottle about two feet. So I quit stirring after that :) I don't stir at all after I put the airlock on it, which is right after the yeast goes in. Stir at your own risk. It may just be the yeast and recipe but I don't know since I'm stuck on my old standby.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2014(UTC)
Posts: 38
|
Thanks for the info div4gold!! I usually run it on the 14th or 15th day so it's still a tiny bit active.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
