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STEP TWO
The best way to buy blackstrap molasses is in bulk from a produce or feed store — such as
PGG Wrightson — that dispenses from a bulk storage tank. Take your own clean 20-litre plastic drum
and pay $1.49 a litre — a total of $30. Aside from saving, filling your own means you can taste test
— try not to overdo that! Alternatively, you can pay retail if that’s your thing and buy the molasses
pre-packed in a 20-litre plastic pail for around $75. Tasting not allowed!
Molasses is very ‘viscous’ — meaning thick and not easily soluble. Pouring means it will sit in a lump on
the tank bottom if you don’t stir it vigorously. We put the drum in the tank and ran the hose water inside
it to dissolve the molasses. The mix ratio is approximately 10 per cent molasses to 90 per cent water. We
used 80 litres of molasses to just under 1000 litres of water — and that was pretty syrupy, let us tell you!
STEP THREE
The idea is to fill the container so that your parts can be fully immersed. Pick a shady, well-ventilated
area, as this is going to get stinky real quick! After a few days, as the sugars ferment, your bath will
form a brewers head, and the place will smell like a liquorice factory or a rum distillery. Don’t be
alarmed at the surface scum forming; it means the process is working. Don’t drink it, and, if smelling
like liquorice isn’t your thing, wear your best horror-film full vinyl apron, arm-length rubber gloves,
and gumboots.
FAQ
Q:What’s the best ratio?
A: The most powerful is 5:1; 10:1 is more
common on a larger scale. If using
blackstrap molasses — the heaviest
available — then 1 0 to 1 2 per cent works
well. Dumbed down even further: 10 parts
water to one part molasses.Q:Is this safe?
A: Yes absolutely — unless you are trampled
by rogue cows wanting to binge drink
the molasses.Q:Is it toxic?
A: Not to touch, but would you drink your
old bath water after you had been soaking
in it for months?Q: What do you do with the many litres of
watery, sticky, brown rusty stuff that
you’re left with?
A: It’s harmless and biodegradable, yet smelly
— so don’t dump it where people would
be annoyed or affected by fermented
fruity liquor fragrances. Fruit trees and
vege gardens love the stuff, so it makes
a great fertiliser. Maybe sell that point to
your mum before you get started.Q:How long will the same bath last?
A: Months, as long as it is kept in the shade in
a cool place. When it gets too rancid, throw
it out. However, the older it gets, the better
it seems to work, as it gets quite acidic and
turns to vinegar, which is also a well-known
biodegradable de-rusting agent!Q: Where is the best place to buy bulk
molasses?
A: Produce or feed stores, such as
PGG Wrightson, which has a bulk tank
to decant from. Wrightson also sells it in
20-litre pails, but that is more expensive
than if you were to bring your own drums.Q: Will my parts always smell like liquorice?
A: Yes, they will. Just kidding — after a good
clean-up, with the molasses residue
scrubbed off, you may get a faint whiff of
liquorice until you prime the parts.Q: Will my parts rust as soon as I pull them
out of the bath?
A: If you scrub all the protective coating
off, then, yes, they can rust. Dry the parts
out and use a metal treatment, such as
phosphoric acid or your preferred bare-
metal coatings.Q: Will it affect brass, copper, or
aluminium?
A: No, not really, to copper and brass — in
the short-term, anyhow. However, alloys
and aluminium parts can corrode with the
acidic nature of the brew as it gets older.