Too big!!

[Urrazeb]

Ok me n a mate put 45kg sugar, 560gm bakers yeast, 1.5kg Tom paste, 220l drum, going for one week now.

Question is... It's too sweet to run and sg is at 1040, I know it's too sweet to run but wondering... Could I rack some off into fermenters, water down slightly and pitch more yeast to finish the job?

I know I added too much sugar to start but am now in need of a solution to my Fuckup...

[grumpthehermit]

Scaling back what you added into 25L lots your drum holds 8.8 washes @ 25L

45kg of sugar / 8.8 is only 5.11kg of sugar per 25L.

I have never attempted a wash that big so I have no idea but to me the only thing I can see is your initial yeas addition was low perhaps, if you scale that back, 560g / 8.8 gives you 63.63g per 25L of wash, but that should be enough yeah ????? :pray:

Assuming your drum actually contains the full 220L of course ... Is the drum warm enough?

Cheers
GTH

[bt1]

Hello Urrazeb,

Yes is the answer to your question i guess but why?..As you started with the larger fermenter might as well finish it. Sugar concentration is not an issue at that rate.

reckon grump is on the money here...

assume mostly cold water fill to start? so it will lag for yeast start in that case

Like to here the current temp as that seems the most likey issue.

Did yeast get a good lag and growth phase before stirring back in? No=lag

Given yeast is still active, I'd be inclined to give it a feed of DAP to ensure yeast has enough nutrient to run to the low .96/.97 SG's.

bt1

[ChefRo]

I would think temp is the problem. I had the same drama when I moved to 200l drums. Ended up buying 500w metal submersible fish tank heaters and fixed the problem. $13 each from eBay, HEPO is the brand.
Hope it helps and good luck.

[BCarter]

It's the temperature...heat that mofo up!

[Kimbo]

As Bt1 said, give it a dose of DAP.
as the others said, warm it up.
give it a good stir and see how it goes :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Urrazeb]

We stuffed it up to start with, I calculated x7 tpw, and had another 6kg sugar for a corn wash, in the heat of the moment while doing batches of sugar dissolving in my large pot we added all the sugar, I added the extra yeast but it has now stalled and it is still very sweet.

I'll try the heater, I have racked off 60l and added a little yeast, one is going, the other stalled and the large is fizzing. Does a large wash like this take longer to ferment out or because it's the same amount of yeast it'll do the job like a normal 25l wash?

I now know more is involved than just multiplying the recipe and a larger vessel...

[MacStill]

If your wash temp is below 25c I'd get an electric blanket around it ASAP.

Can be real bitch keeping large wash warm in this weather ;-)

[Urrazeb]

I got a 300w aquarium heater today and have put it in.

Should I add a little more yeast?

[olcarguy]

From what i'm reading of your recipe you have fucked up just a little....about 2kg/4.5lb of sugar per 23lt/5gal water is a better ratio. If you have another drum 45gal/220lt transfer half and dilute with +-90°water. The yeast cake should restart in a day if not restart with a yeast bomb......good luck.

[Urrazeb]

Ok sweet I'll check it when I get home and bomb if need be.

Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it!!

[Urrazeb]

Ok bombed it and added a aquarium heater and she took off, a couple a days later and we r stripping it, anyone got a timeframe on a ~50l 40% low wines spirit run? On a mcstill pot on gas that is. I'm a bit worried I'll be there for frikkin 16hrs!!

[crow]

Nup it depends on a few variables like ya burner how warm ya wash is ect . 16 hrs ha you read my bastard fig run didn't you , don't panic that sorta crap only ever happens to me