Search found 104 matches

by Ftero
Sun Nov 13, 2022 12:44 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Copper ball/onion
Replies: 40
Views: 3682

Re: Copper ball/onion

A Bathysphere on a still! Awesome!
by Ftero
Mon Nov 07, 2022 9:58 pm
Forum: Grappa
Topic: Orujo 2022
Replies: 4
Views: 782

Re: Orujo 2022

I too am leery about using the alquitar still further after seeing some of the repair work done to it and seeing some of the residue inside after distilling. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to use it though. I've been spending the last couple of days scouring the insides of my "new" ...
by Ftero
Fri Nov 04, 2022 11:38 pm
Forum: Grappa
Topic: Orujo 2022
Replies: 4
Views: 782

Orujo 2022

This season has been especially enjoyable for me, as it is the first year that I've been able to distill Orujo (simplified Grappa) here in Spain. I sold my little 30 liter still to a guy before leaving the States last year, thinking that I could buy a larger still once settled here. I didn't find a ...
by Ftero
Mon Oct 03, 2022 11:25 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Grapper
Replies: 5
Views: 411

Re: Grapper

You could distill the whole lot at once or distill just the pressed/drained wine by itself. I myself would distill it all combined in my traditional alembic pot still.

Let us know how it turns out.
by Ftero
Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:33 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Adding an element to copper pot still - unwelded or welded port?
Replies: 11
Views: 817

Re: Adding an element to copper pot still - unwelded or welded port?

I distilled for years with my 30 liter still on an electric stove. No issues at all. I've been using a Bayou Classic KAB4 for years. I think you would be making a mistake by installing the heating element inside the still. The still would only be viable for clear runs. Anything with fruit or grain c...
by Ftero
Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:34 pm
Forum: Grappa
Topic: Orujo, Grappa, Pomace Brandy
Replies: 3
Views: 2913

Re: Orujo, Grappa, Pomace Brandy

20191110_090542_hdr1.jpg No, I don't do any fermentation myself with regards to Orujo making. I only used bottled red wine from 2015 and 2016 and fresh pomace this year. I only have access to Pinot Noir. I wish I could get Pinot Grigio or other varieties to try, but beggars can't be choosers. The s...
by Ftero
Mon Nov 11, 2019 3:25 pm
Forum: Grappa
Topic: Orujo, Grappa, Pomace Brandy
Replies: 3
Views: 2913

Orujo, Grappa, Pomace Brandy

As the subject suggests, it's all essentially the same thing. In Spain it's Aguardiente de Orujo, or just Orujo for short. In Italy it's Grappa. Technically I believe it all to be a Pomace Brandy. There are not a lot of informative posts that I can find on the web regarding it's small-scale producti...
by Ftero
Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:21 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hello from Oregon
Replies: 3
Views: 1156

Re: Hello from Oregon

Maybe he is up to his neck with distilling and other winery duties.

I just picked up a barrel of pomace from a winery today and will begin distilling Orujo this weekend. Luckily the weather here in Northern Oregon is pretty mild still.
by Ftero
Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:09 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: 55 Gal Barrel Fermenter Build
Replies: 14
Views: 3414

Re: 55 Gal Barrel Fermenter Build

I had no idea that these food safe liners were available! What a great idea if conserving water is an issue. Thank you for sharing!
by Ftero
Tue Nov 27, 2018 6:45 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Deathwish Wheat germ recipe
Replies: 503
Views: 212407

Re: Deathwish Wheat germ recipe

I've never used the toasted variety, and if you read the recipe on the first page, it doesn't call for it. I just grab what is in the bulk barrel at the local supermarket. It costs 95 cents per pound here. The quality is identical to the more expensive, small packets sold elsewhere in the store. It ...
by Ftero
Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:34 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Deathwish Wheat germ recipe
Replies: 503
Views: 212407

Re: Deathwish Wheat germ recipe

Like others, I modified the original recipe a little by adding 1/2lb of Oats and 1/2lb of Peated, Malted Barley to the WG. I recently found a forgotten jar of this that had been sitting on a couple of sticks of charred, French Oak sticks for a couple of years. Amazing! I just made a BOP out of a keg...
by Ftero
Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:00 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Parent Site Recipe Comment
Replies: 10
Views: 2213

Re: Parent Site Recipe Comment

When I initially joined almost 5 years ago, you guys were patiently answering questions from novices such as myself. Here we are, 5 years later, and you guys are still at it! Humbling and admirable. :clap: I'm sure I'm not the only one who is grateful for you guys sharing your knowledge. A heartfelt...
by Ftero
Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:54 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Parent Site Recipe Comment
Replies: 10
Views: 2213

Re: Parent Site Recipe Comment

Thank you for the swift response! I had a feeling the explanation was intended for, and would be understood by experienced distillers. :oops: I have spent the last few years only doing Grappa, and the occasional DWWG run for the workmates. I know nothing else. This is how Jack's explanation reads to...
by Ftero
Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:00 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Parent Site Recipe Comment
Replies: 10
Views: 2213

Parent Site Recipe Comment

On the parent site, their is a comment by Jack; "I found an AMAZING way to make malt whiskey Brew an all-barley malt (2-row)" that has me intrigued.
Is there another thread somewhere that explains a little more in detail his procedure? Thanks in advance for any guidance you might provide.
by Ftero
Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:31 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy
Replies: 10
Views: 4945

Re: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy

By Calvados, I mean, Apple Brandy, aged on oak. At the local markets, there are several brands of apple juices. I have tasted a couple of them, looking for the one that tastes most "appley". I stay away from anything that comes from China. I think it is Langers or Old Orchard that makes th...
by Ftero
Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:54 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy
Replies: 10
Views: 4945

Re: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy

Next time, I'll leave out the tannin and enzymes and see what comes of it. Thanks. Most of the juices that I have seen don't have any preservatives, other than citric acid and such. Give it a try! The prices in the markets for grape and apple juices are far lower than what can be purchased at the wi...
by Ftero
Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:19 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy
Replies: 10
Views: 4945

Re: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy

Thanks for the tip!
I'd never made wine before this.
Anything that I can do to make this whole process cheaper and more efficient, I do !
by Ftero
Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:37 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy
Replies: 10
Views: 4945

Grape Juice Concentrate Brandy

As the title sais, I recently made a batch of Brandy, using the wine that I made with grape juice concentrate. It is well worth the effort. :D The recipe for Welches Frozen Concentrate Wine was my guide for the wine. Here's the bill for those who might be curious about cost: $22.88 ... 16 cans Old O...
by Ftero
Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:33 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Fermentation Chest
Replies: 6
Views: 1623

Re: Fermentation Chest

I like the chest with the pancake fan! I'll install one in this chest in a few months, when it decides to warm up again... The air flow through the chest should help cool things down when the temps here rise. My apartment has base-board, electric heaters, and a wall-mounted heat pump, for a/c in ano...
by Ftero
Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:07 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Fermentation Chest
Replies: 6
Views: 1623

Fermentation Chest

Awhile back, I got together the hardware to turn my wine fridge into a heat control environment for my fermenters. I sort of gave up on the idea, since the fridge will only hold one vessel at a time, and now, I always have more than one bubbling away at any given moment! So, I thought of making an o...
by Ftero
Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:49 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Aging sticks from a used barrel
Replies: 9
Views: 1505

Aging sticks from a used barrel

A while back, someone posted something about Lowe's having used barrels, that were sawed in half, and sold for use as planters. Since the local brew shops are selling the French Oak spirals for @ $18 a pair, I started looking into alternatives. The closest cooperage is about 45 minutes from here, an...
by Ftero
Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:19 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: My Alembic and What I have found...
Replies: 7
Views: 4518

Re: My Alembic and What I have found...

Dude! how big is that pot!
Yeah, after a year doing this, I'm in the same boat as you; I've learned so much, but still don't know hardly anything.
That babe in the woods status doesn't deter me in the slightest though.
by Ftero
Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:02 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Induction cooker
Replies: 41
Views: 20268

Re: Induction cooker

I had to make use of the slang dictionary to figure out what you just said Punkin. :lol:

Yeah, the older I get, the better I get at keeping my fat mouth shut...when it suits me....
by Ftero
Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:48 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Induction cooker
Replies: 41
Views: 20268

Re: Induction cooker

Yeah, I've stopped by all the local restaurant supply places that I pass by. So far, all I've seen are the monstrous, water-heater sized, aluminum vats that pass for industrial kitchen pots. :shock: Speaking of water-heaters.....Today, my boss passed me a $100 tip, for changing out the faulty water ...
by Ftero
Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:53 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Induction cooker
Replies: 41
Views: 20268

Re: Induction cooker

I've been shopping around for affordable 40 quart, magnetic, stainless steel, stock pots, to adapt to my alembic. So far, I've been scared off by the prices! That is exactly the point.... the ferrous layer needs to be intimately bonded to the copper to work efficiently. Trying to glue a layer onto m...
by Ftero
Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:25 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Induction cooker
Replies: 41
Views: 20268

Re: Induction cooker

I did some more messing around with the cooker, and came to the conclusion, that the steel items/plates that I was placing inside of the copper pot, were NOT being heated by the induction field, but rather by direct contact with the heated area of the copper below. So, no need, or benefit to having ...
by Ftero
Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:08 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: My Alembic and What I have found...
Replies: 7
Views: 4518

Re: My Alembic and What I have found...

Sorry for the belated response Mounted Goat. I've been absent for awhile... My alembic is not the water seal model, but rather the press-fit type. So, I have a much smaller surface area to seal than you do. The teflon that I have used is in tape form. So, I just wrap around the junction a bunch of t...
by Ftero
Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:05 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Using Snow
Replies: 12
Views: 1490

Re: Using Snow

Thanks for the responses!

I think I have allowed myself to be talked out of it! I am getting a bit bored, being snowed in and all. :D
by Ftero
Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:07 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Using Snow
Replies: 12
Views: 1490

Using Snow

I gave up on making a rain-water collection system. Too much of a hassle to set up on this rented apartment. However, nature has dumped a ton a snow on us lately, and I thought that I could shovel some up, and dump it in a 55 gallon, plastic drum that I have. I couldn't find anything specific about ...
by Ftero
Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:50 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: My Alembic and What I have found...
Replies: 7
Views: 4518

Re: My Alembic and What I have found...

I am grateful for your having taken the time to post your experiences with your still. As I understand it, the other section of copper tubing, is to make hooking the goose neck to the coil when using the lentil. I haven't used mine yet, but on a dry fit, the tubing included with mine, did not line u...