brandon8198

We are in the process of setting up our steam boiler and will be using it for heating our still and direct steam injection of our mash tank. Can anyone recommend a boiler consultant that could help us with our setup? We have already sourced our boiler and just need expertise with the installation. Can anyone provide me with recommendations on some regular basics; such as boiler location for proximity to the still, material of the piping, water softening and filtration...ect. Thanks, Brandon

Sean, Still in the process of obtaining quotes. The best one I can find so far is around $26,000 made by Rite Boilers. We are in Califronia and it seems to me that it is harder to source, due to less boiler use on the west coast. I have heard of some breweries that have sourced some smaller BTU models (around 400,000 BTU) through homeperfect.com for better prices, but I'm not sure if those would be sufficient boilers. If you come across something, please share. I'll do the same. Brandon

Thanks

We are looking for a new or used steam boiler in good condition. We would prefer natural gas, but also could be electric. At least 600,000 BTU, low pressure, 15 HP. It will be heating a small pot still and used for steam injection heating in our mash vessel. Brandon

Does anyone see an issue with using red wine fermenters with grain fermentation, specifically for vodka and whiskey. The tanks will still have a racking door, top manway, sloped bottom, 3" bottom triclover discharge with all the different ports, cooling jackets etc. They have a 1100mm diameter with a 1250 mm tank wall height. Thanks. Brandon

Can anyone give me good recommendations on some natural gas steam boilers. I can't really seem to get in contact with any reliable sources or anyone who seems to now much about a distillery application. The requirements from our still manufacturer are: Low Pressure with a net operating capacity of approx. 60 kg/h - 4BHP - 140,000 BTU/h. We are looking to get one a little larger than the recommended specs for potential expansion. Thanks, Brandon

Would anyone recommend using some type of Glycol Chiiler in their batch fermentation? I plan on doing 1,400L batch grain fermentations for vodka and whiskey. I live in California where the climate stays relatively warm. I was looking for some ways to save on water and sewwer charges, rather than just using a continuous flow of water through cooling jackets. Thanks.

-Water to 165 degrees then corn is added -At 152 degrees I added the milled malted 6 row as well as the gluco-alymase -I try to keep the temp as close to 145 degrees during a 90 minute cycle which usually results around 1.060 - 1.068 SG I did not do a starch test, but I have a good refractometer. I will deffinetely try using filtered or better quality water. Any recommendations on a good quality champaign yeast? Is it common for the PH to rise after the grain is added?

I am only mashing and by now way distilling. I am just experimenting with different mashing techniques and then discarding it. I know it sounds like a waste of money, but it's the only way I can experiment. I am pretty sure I covered all my basis on the P-A-N-T-S acronym. I was reading some things that say the PH is supposed to drop after adding the grains. It seems to me that the PH tends to rise to around 7.0 after the grains are added. Should that be happening? Also the grain I have is suposed to be a distilling whiskey strain and from what I understand it shoud finish with a TG of around 1.000. Do you think I should be adding more nutrients, due to the fact that I am using tap water? I know it sounds like I am a novice, that's because I am. I have tried to do all my homework, read, experiment (leagally) and I'm in the process of attending some classes. I really appreciate all the help. Thanks.

I am having trouble with obtaining my desired TG. I am making a 25L batch of 80% corn and 20% barley. I am using a whiskey yeast strain that is formulated for a 25L batch. I seem to be following all the recipies and doing lots of experimentation, but not resulting in the best ABV yield. My SG is starting around or at 1.065, but the best TG I can get seems to be 1.026 after 72-80 hours. Here is my recipie if any one has any suggestions. 23L Municipal Tap water 3/4 tsp cirtic acid to 5.8 PH 2 tsp gypsum 7L flaked maize Corn 1.5L malted 6 row barley 1 1tsp gluco-alymase Thanks, Brandon