Distilling Vodka from Sugar Wash - Part 2 - Sugar Wash Fermentation & Distilling Vodka

In yesterday's episode we fermented a pure sugar wash using turbo yeast and refined white sugar. In the second part today, we're going to take the partially cleared wash and distill this in a stock pot still. If you missed our episode on stock pot distilling please click the onscreen link now before continuing.
You can go directly to the printable instructions on our website whats4chow.com/2016/08/11/dist...
This is episode #467 with Whats4Chow.com - please subscribe for notifications and updates.

[@willythewave]

Thank you.

[@Whats4chow]

It's a pleasure!!!

[@joelees836]

Hey can I do this with my potato mash

[@joelees836]

I used sugar, potatoes, yeast and water and I have had it fermenting in my demijohn for 3 days now I don't have a distillery but would this work for it please help me and also how kind would it take to make a batch I have probably got about 2 pints of fermented potatoes thanks again!!!??!

[@Whats4chow]

Hi Joe --- 2 pints is not really enough mash to run regular distilling processes. I would suggest using the freeze distilling technique described in this video --- kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=4UbnHw0qIzo Other than freezing the wash, the process is pretty quick. Thanks for watching!!!

[@crow4319]

great video and information thanks terry

[@MrMickteen]

It there any methanol in this process? Do i need to remove the first x amount of liquid from the distilling process?

[@Whats4chow]

Hi -- if you use refined sugar wash, there is no methanol. This is why refined sugar wash is becoming increasingly popular with distillers. In addition, running a temperature controlled distilling process reduces all of the other rubbish that you would normally pick up during distillation. Almost all Vodka and fortifying spirits are produced using sugar wash for this reason. When I get back to my studio at the end of the month, the course will continue --- we will build a proper water cooled pot still, and go through everything you need to know about how to measure specific gravity, alcohol content etc. The 2 methods of distilling we have covered so far, are the simplest methods -- some craft distillers still use these methods, however, the real good stuff about real pot-stilling will happen in September once I am back in the office. In the meantime, it is good fun to try the simpler methods and become familiar with the process -- and they really do work! Good to see you again! Thanks for watching!!!

[@stephenmorrissey9428]

how long do you use the stock pot for

[@Whats4chow]

Hi Stephen -- sorry for the delayed reply.... the time that the pot runs for is dictated by the strength you want your distillate to be. If you start with 5 liters of wash with an alcohol content of 15% and run the still until you collect 2.5 liters, in theory, you will double the concentration of alcohol in the distillate... ie. it will now be 2.5 liters with an alcohol content of 30%. Note that I say "in theory"... it would probably be more like 28%. If you only collected 1.25 liters, then you would have a resulting distillate with close to 60% alcohol content. Back the time this takes.... this depends on your pot and heat source. Running hotter will obviously be quicker, no matter how much distillate you decide to collect, however, hotter and faster will result in a lower grade alcohol as running a still hot and fast will result in more volatiles and aldehydes being included in the resulting distillate. I hope this helps -- drop me a note if you have any further questions! Thanks for watching, and enjoy the brewing!

[@jamieparent6603]

Would regular yeast work

[@Whats4chow]

Hi Jamie --- you can use regular baking yeast, or even the regular brewing yeast off the shelf in the supermarket, however, the yields will be considerably lower -- less than half. It is advisable to use either a good Turbo yeast or a whisky or vodka yeast -- these are readily available online and from any local brewing supplier. Thanks for watching!!!

[@jamieparent6603]

+Whats4Chow thanks a lot. Keep up the great vids

[@kirkmendiola2566]

is it ok if you add isopropyl alcohol on distilation?

[@Whats4chow]

Hi Kirk --- No! Isopropyl alcohol is toxic, and also tastes really bad... not a good idea at all. If you are looking for a higher alcohol content, simply run the distillate through the still a second time to achieve this. I will be doing more advanced distilling videos in the near future, including "how to build a pot still" --- stay tuned for these, and most of the questions will be answered. Thanks for watching!!!

[@joelees836]

Long