Search found 181 matches

by CatCrap
Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:36 pm
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Blanikdog
Replies: 13
Views: 11000

Re: Blanikdog

Tipping a glass of UJSM to you, Blanikdog. It's been a pleasure.
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 29, 2018 10:41 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser
Replies: 9
Views: 1985

Re: Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser

yeh. see i have to live, eat, sleep at my distillery. So i try to keep it just a bit cleaner than Hampden. Hampden is legendary though. I've got a bottle of their rum fire sitting in front of me right now. I Do have a couple buckets of dunder on the balcony aging, but I'm pretty sure i'll never be a...
by CatCrap
Wed Jun 27, 2018 1:05 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Snowball syrup
Replies: 6
Views: 1195

Re: Snowball syrup

Can't say i have. I'd be wary with any Banana syrups or flavorings, as Banana is one of those flavors, that the artificial flavoring tastes NOTHING like the real flavor. Like watermelon flavor.
by CatCrap
Wed Jun 27, 2018 1:01 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser
Replies: 9
Views: 1985

Re: Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll give PBW a shot.

It's SS, so Patina isn't really at play here.

Thanks, CC
by CatCrap
Wed Jun 27, 2018 1:00 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy
Replies: 118
Views: 15039

Re: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy

I age on American oak in barrels that are a few years old at the highest abv I can. It is usually 125-115 proof going in. Hey,John! I assume that's your name. Not sure though. My question... How do you manage do hit a high abv like that with a single pass? Are you using a thumper? I figure that som...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 21, 2018 10:10 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser
Replies: 9
Views: 1985

Cleaning a Shotgun Condenser

Hey, folks, so the interior of my shotgun condenser is pretty gross. What would y'all suggest to clean it with? My thoughts.. is probably to pour foreshots, or some other type of cleaning agent into it, and let it soak for 24 hours or longer. Drain that out, then maybe i can add something in there t...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:57 pm
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229548

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Awwww the tree is so little!! That's cool!! Enjoy your time off cranky. You've earned it i'm sure. Go get your pick on!! Man i'm sure you are going to pick so damn many apples. You've got all the equipment to process many many apples with ease. So... go get em killer!! good luck, pal!! I hope you ha...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:53 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Well, I'm filling at 60-62 based on the results i've got from jar aging. I like the color and flavor that is pulled out of the wood in that range. This is only the second barrel i've filled, so i'm thinking down the line I may do more experimentation. From my experience, not a ton, I find that 60-65...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:16 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: So, the answer was copper
Replies: 185
Views: 30847

Re: So, the answer was copper

I fully agree with yummyrum here. Safety first!!! While I believe that all of those participating in this discussion are experienced (some more than other) distillers, It's important to keep in mind that this is a public forum, and any knucklehead can come here and read this stuff. I'm probably the ...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:01 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Very interesting Zapata. So, when you say Dip Stick, you're pretty much referring to something like the stick that's in the oil in the engine of a car? So, somehow you'd put this stick in the barrel, in the Bunghole, assuming it is at the top (Bunghole facing the ceiling/sky/12 oclock) and then take...
by CatCrap
Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:08 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel
Replies: 1218
Views: 215005

Re: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel

Yes! That's exactly what I thought i'd been told or heard. A 2 by 4 is not 2 by 4.
by CatCrap
Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:40 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: So, the answer was copper
Replies: 185
Views: 30847

Re: So, the answer was copper

I just did a UJ stripping run. Probably around 10th or so generation. The low wines smell fantastic, and i find the backset pleasant too. Now.. when i say pleasant, i mean it's kind of an acquired taste (or smell). It is a very very strong aroma, and i guess you could call it stinky or funky, but it...
by CatCrap
Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:18 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel
Replies: 1218
Views: 215005

Re: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel

Ah.. thanks for clarifying a bit. I thought i'd read somewhere that although they're often called a 2 by 4, they aren't actually 2 inches by 4 inches. Also, No, i completely understand that i won't be cutting the pieces into anything near their final shape for the seasoning (leaving outside in a jen...
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:40 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel
Replies: 1218
Views: 215005

Re: The Badmotivator Bain-Marie and Oak Barrel

LOL> Dude.. badmo.. you need to take this pro somehow. You're only getting more popular. If more people knew about this you'd only have more interest! I hope/wish there is some kind of serious future in this for you. I mean it! You've come up with a brilliant design... It's perfect for us HD ers.. b...
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:22 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Let's all keep this thread updated huh? I anticipate filling mine very soon. So, I love all the input about the look, origin, quality or lack of, stand quality or lack of, bung details and helpful tips (thanks guys!) But the real question... is what kind of BOOZE does it make? am i right? Interestin...
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:17 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: So, the answer was copper
Replies: 185
Views: 30847

Re: So, the answer was copper

Very true. I'm sure if i dug around i could compline a list of all the specific elements that make up a distillation run. I think there may even be a list on the parent sight, which lists the different boiling points. That would be a good starting point. Good idea to check out chemical supply. Maybe...
by CatCrap
Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:42 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: So, the answer was copper
Replies: 185
Views: 30847

Re: So, the answer was copper

I have a set of wine flavors in an educational kit designed to teach you how to recognize basic wine flavors. A spirit version of the same kit would be the duck's nuts about now, but I've never come across such a thing. Old post, I know. I took a distillery tour, not a great one, kind of lame frank...
by CatCrap
Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:31 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy
Replies: 118
Views: 15039

Re: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy

Good luck!!! Happy drinking and cutting!!
by CatCrap
Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:25 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Fruit in the Boiler
Replies: 10
Views: 4104

Re: Fruit in the Boiler

Nah.. that was Distiller Dresden. The "juicy fruit" ferment. I've only done single fruit ferments. Haven't had enough time to do a mash day, so no AG at the moment. Doing 2 fermenters full of UJ instead of one, as one was freed up from neutral. Did a 6 gal LW neutral run. It can be fun to ...
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:10 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Fruit in the Boiler
Replies: 10
Views: 4104

Re: Fruit in the Boiler

Yep. Those are some great threads and sources. I did add bananas in cheesecloth to the boiler when doing the spirit run. I got some very nice flavor carryover, and it was actually mostly in the hearts. If you opened a bottle of this, even the part i have aging on a small, once used in whiskey, SD Am...
by CatCrap
Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:19 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Oh, yea. ALso... how can i go about making a bung for it? Anyone got any tips? I guess ideally i'll have to source a piece of white oak for it. Although i don't think it really truly has to be properly weathered like the staves would be. But, once i've got some wood ( :ewink: ) how would i go about ...
by CatCrap
Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:17 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Oh, yea. ALso... how can i go about making a bung for it? Anyone got any tips? I guess ideally i'll have to source a piece of white oak for it. Although i don't think it really truly has to be properly weathered like the staves would be. But, once i've got some wood ( :ewink: ) how would i go about ...
by CatCrap
Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:15 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

ohh no! Really! Damn that went fast. Looked like there were so many! I guess there's quite a few potential customers on the continent. At least we got in on it while we could, right? I'd have to say.. it sounds like that deal may never come around again. I'd infer that balcones is done using 5G barr...
by CatCrap
Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:52 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Whacky yeast aging idea
Replies: 21
Views: 2965

Re: Whacky yeast aging idea

Any results from this yet?
by CatCrap
Thu May 31, 2018 8:38 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Tell us about your mistakes.
Replies: 1580
Views: 294037

Re: Tell us about your mistakes.

SCD, you are not wrong per se.. there are lots of ways to hurt yourself in the kitchen, no doubt about that. One of my cooks is epileptic. She wasn't good about taking her meds, as she didn't have seizures very often. But, one day, she was changing the fryer oil (not in my Kitchen, at her other job)...
by CatCrap
Mon May 28, 2018 9:28 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Tell us about your mistakes.
Replies: 1580
Views: 294037

Re: Tell us about your mistakes.

Well duh.. you could get hit by a bus crossing the street. But youre more likely to be hit crossing a 10 lane highway than a tiny street in some village.
by CatCrap
Sun May 27, 2018 10:37 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy
Replies: 118
Views: 15039

Re: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy

2 more things. 1st, I believe, that apple is going to sink, sir. When you put oak in a jar, it floats, right? But give it a little time, a few days, whatever, and it get's saturated with spirit and sinks to the bottom. So, don't worry about it. Give it a week or two, and i'm quite confident it will ...
by CatCrap
Sun May 27, 2018 10:15 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy
Replies: 118
Views: 15039

Re: Would like to try my hand at some apple brandy

Just my quick humble opinion, DD, and i certainly don't mean any offense.. but, you're talking about aging (flavoring) with woods, oak, chips, staves, dominoes, maple, oak, etc etc in DAYS. I almost never work in such short time frames. Maybe you're able to detect these very subtle changes more quic...
by CatCrap
Sun May 27, 2018 9:37 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Tell us about your mistakes.
Replies: 1580
Views: 294037

Re: Tell us about your mistakes.

WOw At first i thought you were just going to say eating taco bell was a huge mistake. And yeh, that can be mistake, you pay a price for it. But.. that got much more interesting. Man, lucky it didnt get WAY more interesting, like us reading about it in the news how you blew your shed up. Scary man.....
by CatCrap
Thu May 24, 2018 5:59 pm
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale
Replies: 68
Views: 12284

Re: New (sorta) balcones barrels for sale

Thx OVZ. You're a fountain of cheer as always. you and saltbush bill will have to have a battle of niceness for whom is the nicest motherfucker on the whole damn internet. You'll have a hard time being as pleasant as him. LOL. But seriously... i am hard at work!!! It takes 18 25L fermenters worth to...