Smell of JMS
Please, can anyone tell me the smell of JMS properly done...mine smells abit like vomit...
Top answer
Vomit, rotten eggs, fecal matter or dead body are all not good smells as they indicate the presence of pathogens that are not friendly to mammals.
ULC Microbes should be harvested early when the bubbles are most vigorous, if they are not, these smells will arise as the biology in the stew changes. Ideally it will smell sweet or something like sourdough bread.
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
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Sep 2026
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3 sources
A vomit smell means the batch ran too long. (Office Hours Ep. 41, 33:39) The sweet-smelling worker microbes peak first, then the fertilizer microbes take over. (Office Hours Ep. 41, 33:39) Another library answer says the same smell means the brew has gone anaerobic. (Office Hours Ep. 28, 47:13)
Timing prevents it:
- Ferment at 77°F for about 72 hours. (Office Hours Ep. 138, 56:29)
- In Hawaii's heat, ferment 24 to 48 hours. (Office Hours Ep. 138, 56:29)
- Harvest when the foam peaks with a bubble ring. (Office Hours Ep. 138, 56:29)
Wait past the peak and the foam collapses. Then it smells like death. (Office Hours Ep. 138, 56:29)
The library does not say whether a vomit-smelling batch can be saved.
Sources
- 56:29 Office Hours Ep. 138 (Aug 2024) — JADAM Microbial Solution, IMO Grading, No-Smell Pig Pens · “Ferment at 77°F for about 72 hours, 24 to 48 in Hawaii's heat, until foam peaks with a bubble ring; once it collapses it smells like death”
- 33:39 Office Hours Ep. 41 (Jul 2022) — Disgustingly Cheap JLF & JMS, IMO Tumbler, Charging Biochar · “the good sweet-smelling worker microbes already peaked and zombie fertilizer microbes have taken over”
- 47:13 Office Hours Ep. 28 (Apr 2022) — Beef Aminos, Coral Calcium, and IMO Troubleshooting · “sweet or sourdough smell means it's good, rotten egg or vomit smell means it's gone anaerobic”
