Search found 342 matches

by seamusm53
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:09 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Vacation on Mexico
Replies: 19
Views: 1201

Re: Vacation on Mexico

Just returned a month ago from another trip to Cozumel. We have never felt threatened there and have stayed traveled all over the island. That said, five years ago a local businessman tried to create his own ferry to the mainland. The non-fatal message sent his way was two bombs under two of his fer...
by seamusm53
Wed Oct 25, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Carpal Tunnel
Replies: 15
Views: 654

Re: Carpal Tunnel

While it might be too late to make a difference, find a physical therapist who can advise you on exercises to stretch the ligamentous band which gives rise to the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It might help as a non-surgical approach.
by seamusm53
Wed Oct 04, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: How old were you the first time you got drunk?
Replies: 33
Views: 2087

Re: How old were you the first time you got drunk?

I was 26 in New Orleans and 'twas over a girl. I weighed about 120 lbs. and had literally inhaled a Hurricane from Pat O'Briens. I immediately walked back to my hotel and it hit when I hit the spinning bed. Had one too many beers a few years later and came home only sl tipsy. I am 70 now and just do...
by seamusm53
Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Would you use this red wheat?
Replies: 12
Views: 927

Re: Would you use this red wheat?

In a heartbeat, yes. Unless you think we are in the end times and you will be His way of separating the weeds from the wheat. 'Do you feel lucky, punk'. I really don't think these will either harm you or the product.
by seamusm53
Fri May 19, 2023 5:12 am
Forum: Whiskey
Topic: Whiskey question
Replies: 16
Views: 5816

Re: Whiskey question

If you are not selling it then you can call it what you will. The legal definition here in the US is; 'Whiskey: Spirits distilled from a fermented mash of grain at less than 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof) having the taste, aroma and characteristics generally attributed to whisky and bottled at no...
by seamusm53
Tue May 09, 2023 11:06 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Reconditioned 55 gallon drum safe for cooking grain
Replies: 6
Views: 1812

Re: Reconditioned 55 gallon drum safe for cooking grain

Food storage should be okay but alcohol is used to clean up epoxy so probably should not use it otherwise.
by seamusm53
Mon Apr 17, 2023 4:28 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Brown recluse spider bite
Replies: 80
Views: 5878

Re: Brown recluse spider bite

We moved instantly out of a rent house years ago when I found a few in the kitchen sink one morning. Will say a prayer for your full recovery. They are some nasty spawn of the devil.
by seamusm53
Wed Mar 08, 2023 8:37 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Does the type of yeast matter much?
Replies: 12
Views: 1093

Re: Does the type of yeast matter much?

Remember what hops was used for. It is a preservative and to my understanding allowed beer to survive transport into - and brewing in - hot climates when Brittania ruled the waves and much of the world. As in INDIA Pale Ale (NOT American Indians or the West Indies).
by seamusm53
Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Consensus on methanol in foreshots?
Replies: 42
Views: 4384

Re: Consensus on methanol in foreshots?

Simply stated. There isn't enough methanol in a grain-based fermentation regardless of the fraction of distillate to cause any significant health problems. Moreover, the insignificant amounts of methanol aren't appreciably concentrated at any fraction. Methanol is a non-issue that only becomes a pro...
by seamusm53
Mon Jan 23, 2023 2:47 pm
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: Legal in Ohio.
Replies: 16
Views: 3865

Re: Legal in Ohio.

Having bought equipment and supplies by credit card with shipping across state lines, I am certain my name is on some list. The fellow from whom I bought enzymes was arrested a few years back. That said, I am otherwise VERY careful not to garner any more legal attention. The feds loosened making win...
by seamusm53
Sun Jan 01, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Why ‘Charcoal Filter’.
Replies: 23
Views: 1592

Re: Why ‘Charcoal Filter’.

Some years back, I though carbon filtering would help my shine. I could not get the black color of ultrafine carbon particles out despite multiple attempts at filtering. Threw it back in the boiler and distilled more carefully.
by seamusm53
Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:40 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Balcones Barrel Loss
Replies: 13
Views: 928

Re: Balcones Barrel Loss

The angels took almost 50% of the bourbon I was ageing in a new 5 gal barrel for ~24 months. Nicely colored, smooth - I was happy. Small barrels have a larger ratio of surface area to volume so the volume lost will be higher than hoped-for for a given time in barrel. But that doesn't necessarily mea...
by seamusm53
Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:31 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Calling Chemists - Removing Copper Sulfate
Replies: 47
Views: 2087

Re: Calling Chemists - Removing Copper Sulfate

Outside of flooding/burping the column with liquid not vapor, salts of any sort especially a salt as heavy as a copper salt, are just not going to be carried up to pass over into the distillate. The CuSo4 will remain in solution in the boiler and should be discarded. When distillate turns blue that ...
by seamusm53
Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:26 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Slow winter fermentation question?
Replies: 18
Views: 721

Re: Slow winter fermentation question?

I have run my fermenter inside the house - makes the house smell like you're making bread. In the garage in winter, I have used a heating blanket to insulate and keep it warm.
by seamusm53
Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:29 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Allow myself to introduce...myself.
Replies: 11
Views: 587

Re: Allow myself to introduce...myself.

With that headline you'll fit in here just fine.
by seamusm53
Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:27 am
Forum: New distiller reading Lounge
Topic: Can you fix spirit stored in Plastic bottles
Replies: 4
Views: 1111

Re: Can you fix spirit stored in Plastic bottles

Probably yes. Whatever the plastic chemicals leeched from the bottles into the alcohol are VERY unlikely to make it out of distillation pot. Just go slowly.
by seamusm53
Mon Nov 14, 2022 7:13 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Expensive friends
Replies: 40
Views: 2569

Re: Expensive friends

And worth every penny.
by seamusm53
Wed Nov 09, 2022 5:33 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Hot backset melting home plumbing?
Replies: 14
Views: 736

Re: Hot backset melting home plumbing?

It'll be interesting to see if your plumber finds melted pipes but I also think it has been more likely caused by more ordinary causes. A camera look-see should tell the tale. Look for a plumber who has the non-dig technology where pipes can sometimes be repaired without having to dig up everything.
by seamusm53
Tue Jul 19, 2022 6:24 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: teenagers poisoned in south africa
Replies: 9
Views: 1153

Re: teenagers poisoned in south africa

They have confirmed the presence of methanol in these kids - levels are pending? Yes, there are miniscule amounts of methanol in fruit juices and fruit wines - but not toxic levels and I seriously doubt these kids were partying with fruit juice. I'll bet the levels ARE toxic and the cause of death. ...
by seamusm53
Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:26 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Anybody know about wild mushrooms?
Replies: 26
Views: 1261

Re: Anybody know about wild mushrooms?

Remember! There are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters. But there are no old, bold mushroom hunters.
by seamusm53
Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:12 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Why is my total output so small in my pot still?
Replies: 21
Views: 1337

Re: Why is my total output so small in my pot still?

It is difficult to answer your question without certain details like specific gravity before and after fermentation and proof of final product but rest assured that millions of gallons of good tasting spirits have been made by many thousands of distillers without those measurements. If you have gott...
by seamusm53
Sun Mar 13, 2022 3:29 pm
Forum: Craft Distillers
Topic: Economics of 'going pro'.
Replies: 85
Views: 14201

Re: Economics of 'going pro'.

Packaging or re-packaging commercially available spirits such as raw liquor and then flavoring or ageing it oneself is a tried and true path to a commercial product. But while going that route will save some of the money of production, it will not save any of the significant expense of marketing and...
by seamusm53
Wed Mar 09, 2022 12:16 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Naming your whiskey
Replies: 34
Views: 2233

Re: Naming your whiskey

My son named my product a few years back as 'Mud Creek Distillery' for the crick which flows along the edge of our property. I'll stick with that though there are a million Mud Creeks and I suspect the name is trampling on someone else's trademark. I wasn't hoping for commercial success - oh well.
by seamusm53
Sat Mar 05, 2022 6:43 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: General atmosphere of forum
Replies: 120
Views: 6985

Re: General atmosphere of forum

While a contributor, I do not own this site nor have I been asked or volunteered to be a moderator - now THAT would be asking the devil for a little help! Haha! Yes it is terribly annoying for some of the members who are experienced to constantly whine to newbies that 'there is a search engine - USE...
by seamusm53
Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:32 am
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Do not ferment in your fish room!
Replies: 21
Views: 2991

Re: Do not ferment in your fish room!

[[/quote] This might be a stupid question, but what would the yeast be eating in a fish tank to multiply enough to clog a filter? Are you 100% sure it wasn't just coincidence that it happened at the same time that you had a ferment going in the room? [/quote] Fish shit? There is an almost infinite a...
by seamusm53
Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:26 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Canned peaches
Replies: 10
Views: 2383

Re: Canned peaches

We all love the flavors and smells of peaches. We all enjoy the health benefits of alcohol. But those of us who have tried fermenting and distilling peaches have often been disappointed at how little of the flavor and smell make it into the final product. Yes, I am aware that our 'cuts' usually get ...
by seamusm53
Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:32 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Inverted sugar vs table sugar, questions on flavor profile.
Replies: 9
Views: 1040

Re: Inverted sugar vs table sugar, questions on flavor profile.

Just a side note that yeast metabolize sugars to access oxygen. The sugar literally provides oxygen for the yeast to respire in an anaerobic environment. No, the yeast do not GET the oxygen from the sugar. Yeast do require oxygen in order to multiply - else we'd need to add ALOT more yeast. But the...
by seamusm53
Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:04 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Mrs Cranky is having some issues
Replies: 119
Views: 8071

Re: Mrs Cranky is having some issues

This physician still believes that her 'stroke' was related to her covid vax - mostly because of timing. Not every stroke involves permanent neurologic damage. Many with stroke-like symptoms have transient impairment and full recovery - usually labelled TIA's or Transient Ischemic Attacks. All 'stro...
by seamusm53
Thu Oct 14, 2021 8:10 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Does a sugar wash produce methanol?
Replies: 17
Views: 1955

Re: Does a sugar wash produce methanol?

You cannot get methanol from sugar fermentation. Stressed yeast beasts may result in a lot of bad-tasting crap but this research chemist knows of no fermentation pathways which lead to methanol. When methanol poisoning hits the news it is always from the deliberate or accidental adulteration of etha...