 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/28/2013(UTC)
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"I'm new to this and tried a cornmeal and sugar mash recipe twice with fairly decent results. Then I just tried a new recipe that called for
7lbs sugar
2lbs cornmeal
16oz honey
5gal water
1&1/2 packets highly active yeast
Put everything in my fermenter with 2&1/2 gallons boiling water, then added 2&1/2gal cool water before pitching in the yeast. Everything looks good and has been bubbling for 7 days now. I didn't have a hydrometer when I started, so I didn't take a starting specific gravity. I just got one and took the SG and got a reading of 1.050. My question is, if anybody can help, when do you think it will be done? How much longer should I wait, or at what reading should I stop at?"
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2013(UTC)
Posts: 111
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I always stop when the SG is 1.000 if possible. I've run one with your reading before but I had problems of it scorched. Don't know if it was because sugar was still in the wash, but I won't do that again. I'd wait more. Is the bubbling stopped? If so, put it somewhere cold and let it settle out.
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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"+1 okie
Erik, 1.050 is not nearly finished. Let it get down to 1.000 or lower if possible.
Any suspended solids from the cornmeal may affect your SG measurements ... so you'll have to take that into consideration. But you can always take a small tas"
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/28/2013(UTC)
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Ok, thanks! It is still bubbling, a lot of small bubbles. I checked the temp and it's right at 70'. Guess I will keep checking on it. Thanks again! I'll post the progress.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2013(UTC)
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Barleycorn, do you ever use a brew belt? The heating belt for a fermenter? I thought about getting one but they always seem to be out of stock.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/28/2013(UTC)
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Hey, do you think I might need to add a nutrient for the yeast? I keep hearing about tomato paste. Yes/No? Any thoughts?
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
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Yeast nutrients can never hurt, if ya got em use em...you prolly wont need the paste but a little cant hurt either. The paste idea is really for a neutral likker but if you use it sparingly it can only help with the yeast fuel.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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Quote:do you ever use a brew belt? I never used a brew belt ... but they sure look convenient. I used to use an aquarium heater ... it worked very nicely. It was accurate and kept the temps in a nice narrow range. You just have to keep them well sanitized. But anymore, I avoid warm fermentation like the plague. Personally, once it gets near 24 C (75 F) I'm looking for a cooler place for my buckets.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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Quote:do you think I might need to add a nutrient for the yeast? A little DAP and some epsom salt never hurts. Yoiu should check the label on your honey. I checked the jar of honey my wife has sitting in the cupboard. Other than the iron content, it looks like another one of Mother Nature's very own nutrient packs ... lots of the B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc ... it reads like a yeast energizer. :) I didn't do the math, but honey sure looks like it has some potential. I'm not sure if it needs to be pasturized.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/28/2013(UTC)
Posts: 5
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OK, I will check that out. Someone also mentioned maybe a few raisins?
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