Search found 170 matches

by BIGBIRD123
Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:34 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

Well for any of the doubters...this is going to be pretty sweet. I did two cleaning runs w/o the condenser working and then did a sacrificial run using backset in the pot and thumper. Once the boka balanced it produced 120 proof liquor just from backset. There was no problems with the thumper fillin...
by BIGBIRD123
Thu Aug 28, 2014 12:31 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Crazy controller problem
Replies: 7
Views: 1385

Re: Crazy controller problem

Thanks for the input everyone or both of you...I will get to work on it tomorrow. Things have been hectic with the motor blowing up in my Harley, so working on getting a rental car to take-up the slack and trying to get the warranty people to OK the work getting started...it did make me feel better ...
by BIGBIRD123
Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:13 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Crazy controller problem
Replies: 7
Views: 1385

Crazy controller problem

I purchased a DIY controller from "you know who". I added an amp- meter to the mix. Well just to put a load on it I used a soldering iron and when the pot is at zero the soldering iron is on, the meter reads next to zero volts but .3 amps and the iron is on. When I turn up the pot to 100, ...
by BIGBIRD123
Sat May 31, 2014 9:20 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Extreme wash
Replies: 9
Views: 1282

Re: Extreme wash

I am going to run this anyway...I have only used turbo once and then I found this sight. I can only hope that I misread the SG. I squarely follow the recipe unless I am experimenting and then I document that fact. Such as I did with my All Bran recipe that turned out pretty good. It had a unique fla...
by BIGBIRD123
Thu May 29, 2014 2:27 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Extreme wash
Replies: 9
Views: 1282

Extreme wash

We have a ferment of UJSSM that has been sitting for a while. It had a SG of 1.168 and now is totally clear with a reading of 1.000. This calculates to 21.67%...is this going to be any good or is it too high? Should I dilute it any or what should I do? Any and all recommendations are appreciated... ...
by BIGBIRD123
Sun May 25, 2014 6:12 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: heating element
Replies: 3
Views: 772

heating element

We have a 4500w element on 220v and today, it was running over 3 hrs and did not sufficiently heat-up. The backset that we drained out was extremely dark. Can you tell me if the burner is a dne dill or is there a way to find out. will a continuity test work? Any help is appreciated...

BB
by BIGBIRD123
Fri May 16, 2014 11:19 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How does my pot still design sound?
Replies: 19
Views: 1890

Re: How does my pot still design sound?

Pics would go nicely with this thread...
by BIGBIRD123
Tue May 13, 2014 5:54 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: tower with by pass valves??
Replies: 24
Views: 2639

Re: tower with by pass valves??

Bill, The reading and information you gain from it will help you produce a superbly drinkable product. I am a newbie as well and I was "trying" to distill before I found this place...notice the emphasis on trying. With the considerable amount of reading needed/suggested here, I have increa...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri May 02, 2014 5:14 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

Here are the pictures as promised... http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/PEGS069_zpsc74e7555.jpg http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/PEGS070_zps632cf086.jpg http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/PEGS069_zpsc74e7555.jpg and the downcomer.. http://i76.p...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri May 02, 2014 12:08 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Question about leftover stuff from fermenting or distilling
Replies: 13
Views: 5794

Re: Question about leftover stuff from fermenting or distill

We don't rinse it or anything, just dump it out in the yard...we end up with some pretty loaded deer that evening and there's not even a stain on the ground where we dumped it out the next day...I wondered why we have so many in the yard the days we distill... http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/CBSA/...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri May 02, 2014 11:58 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Stainless steel condenser question
Replies: 12
Views: 2730

Re: Stainless steel condenser question

Visit your local Salvage yard for materials. I just came from mine and I picked up several different sizes of reducers, even 2" plus a solid copper bowl...all for less than $10...one of the @' reducers alone would cost almost $15...this is what I picked-up for under $10... 2- 2"x3/4" ...
by BIGBIRD123
Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:24 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How much do you make?
Replies: 24
Views: 2755

Re: How much do you make?

8) I have a lot of drunkard friends, so I distill a lot. As a matter of fact I ran 3 stripping runs today...finishing up the third one as we speak. I have about 30gals of 140 proof that needs to be diluted and a spirit run or a few... http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/CBSA/smileyvault-cute-big-smile...
by BIGBIRD123
Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:22 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

It is actually a 2"x1-1/2"x2" Tee. I used a 2"x1-1/4" reducer the go into the Tee, then a 1"x3/4" reducer fits into that. I used a 3/4" female x 3/4" male elbow to make the turn down in the center of the Tee. I know this explanation may not get the point ...
by BIGBIRD123
Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:00 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

For a pot still thumper that's a pretty neat design, but how difficult will it be to reduce from 2" to 3/4" and make a 90 degree turn inside a 2X2X2 Tee fitting? Have you worked that out yet? I have already built that part and it looks pretty sweet...it is at my partner's house where we h...
by BIGBIRD123
Mon Apr 28, 2014 7:18 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

I just wanted to try something I felt hadn't been tried before and I figured there would be negative feedback...I however am not afraid of a challenge, so I might see if I can make it work. I put the element in the thumper for preheat at start-up...it will not run continuously at the same principal ...
by BIGBIRD123
Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:27 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

I've pretty much ditched the reflux idea and will go with a pothead... :roll: I mean potstill...if it doesn't work, then I'll have a small boiler to use as well... 8)
by BIGBIRD123
Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:51 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

Will this placement for the overflow work?
Image
by BIGBIRD123
Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:18 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

Then would it be best to just use a potstill on the top of the thumper in the manner i have drawn?
by BIGBIRD123
Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:43 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

Here is a revised picture of what I am trying to put together...tell me what you think

Image
by BIGBIRD123
Fri Apr 25, 2014 3:19 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

The reducer is to go from the 3/4" coming out of the thumper to open it up for the boka...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:09 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Re: Thumper Use

I forgot to state that I also have an 110v 1500w element in the thumper as well to help with the heat issue...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:01 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Newbie's first shot at it.
Replies: 35
Views: 3199

Re: Newbie's first shot at it.

Whitewater, I will guarantee that you will come to appreciate the advice given here and especially Rad's. He ripped me a new one when I came here w/o doing any of the "required" reading but I deserved it and have come to appreciate the loving way he dispenses his advice. He is "Top No...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Thumper Use
Replies: 31
Views: 4172

Thumper Use

I am adding a thumper to one of my stills. I am running 3/4" from the still to the thumper and 3/4" out so that I can use a 2" ferrule at the thumper connection. Can I use a 3/4" x 2" reducer to put a small boka on top of the thumper? Here is a rough sketch... http://i76.pho...
by BIGBIRD123
Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Newbie's first shot at it.
Replies: 35
Views: 3199

Re: Newbie's first shot at it.

I never saw anyone being a dick...but I did see someone trying to keep you from killing yourself or your family...
by BIGBIRD123
Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:16 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First All Grain and Bran Recipe
Replies: 16
Views: 1860

Re: First All Grain and Bran Recipe

I started doing stripping runs on this ferment and it starts out at about 150 proof and has some real nice flavor. I now have almost 5gal and working on getting the volume to around 10-12gals so I can do a large spirit run. I guess I forgot about having to dilute this...maybe I might have enough for...
by BIGBIRD123
Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:13 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Vacuum Still
Replies: 14
Views: 1944

Re: Vacuum Still

Are you freaking kidding? Dude, you need to do some serious reading...like right here...

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=46

...and especially here...

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
by BIGBIRD123
Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:46 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: would you drink a strangers shine?
Replies: 28
Views: 2450

Re: would you drink a strangers shine?

I got to take some of mine to my MC first event of the riding season. Another guy brought some as well...everyone liked his until they tasted mine...sure did feel good...his tasted like no cuts were made. I talked to him about HD and he heard about us but relied on other sources...I believe he has s...
by BIGBIRD123
Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:17 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First All Grain and Bran Recipe
Replies: 16
Views: 1860

Re: First All Grain and Bran Recipe

Still bubbling away...probably 1-1.5 per sec...It is at 1.010 sg. Looks like it will take quite a while to clear when finished but smells really good.
by BIGBIRD123
Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:44 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Mamajuana....now what?
Replies: 16
Views: 14004

Re: Mamajuana....now what?

Now which recipe was it that made your stecker pick out?
by BIGBIRD123
Wed Apr 02, 2014 1:41 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: "First" gerber questions
Replies: 17
Views: 1944

Re: "First" gerber questions

FWIW, I use the heart of valley oak from my backyard and make pieces 5" long and the size of your index finger. Toast at 400 degrees for 2 hours, char with a propane torch and they go in 2 to a quart at 55% and stashed on an unheated garage shelf for aging. Works quite nicely. Lotsa ways to do...