Search found 58 matches

by JC973
Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:59 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column
Replies: 15
Views: 1854

Re: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column

97.2% ABV (=95.6 ABW.) is the azeotrope (maximum strength possible by distillation) but for various reasons it get's quoted at 96.5% fairly often. But there is absolutely no way to reach azeo with 2 plates and 8" of packing. Packing over plates does tend to run very steady and allow sharp cuts...
by JC973
Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:13 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column
Replies: 15
Views: 1854

Re: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column

Thanks, I appreciate the feed back, I will check both and tighten up my process

End of the day, I’m making a much better neutral using these components than I was previously, thanks to the knowledge gained here, cheers
by JC973
Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:26 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column
Replies: 15
Views: 1854

Re: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column

Commercial hydrometer, it read 96% but when I temp corrected it came out to 98.5%, what am I doing wrong?
by JC973
Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:12 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column
Replies: 15
Views: 1854

Re: 3" Hybrid Bubble Plate/Packed Column

Had been using a packed column to make neutral and had mediocre results, struggled at times to even get to 95%, I added 2, 3” bubble plates and shortened my copper packing to 8” above them and wow, just wow, 98.5% easily. I’m using a CM style which most folks don’t care for but I manage, fiddling wi...
by JC973
Thu Aug 20, 2020 7:19 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Dry COB
Replies: 10
Views: 1898

Re: Dry COB

I'll be interested to hear your opinion. The Sweet COB make a flavorful drop. Dry COB would make it easier to blow out all the straw and chaff before adding to the fermenter. It will be awhile, its been so hot here and half the state is on fire, gonna wait till it cools a bit, until then I will sip...
by JC973
Thu Aug 20, 2020 3:38 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Dry COB
Replies: 10
Views: 1898

Re: Dry COB

They had both, and Sweet COB is what I have using for in my KSSF, just thought I would try the Dry COB to drop the oil & preservatives, not that it matters because I have been very pleased with what I have been making, guess I will find out what difference the molasses makes and if it does, like...
by JC973
Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:34 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Dry COB
Replies: 10
Views: 1898

Dry COB

So went to TSC today to pick up another bag of Producers Pride COB Sweet Feed and they had Dry COB feed, same mix of Barley, Oats & rolled Corn but without the Molasses, oil and preservatives $13.99 My thought is, I’m going to add sugar anyway, might as well try this and drop the oil & prese...
by JC973
Sat Aug 08, 2020 8:46 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Motorcyclist you have met
Replies: 17
Views: 2070

Re: Motorcyclist you have met

Motorcyclist I have met, man after all I have done in that world, that is quite a list, I have participated in the 6-days 3 times with some of the best enduro riders in the world during the 80’s. Got to race the Black Water 100, I have spent time on a frozen lake with Jay Springsteen & Scott Par...
by JC973
Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:38 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Max thumper charge in your experience for double keg strip setup
Replies: 41
Views: 4989

Re: Max thumper charge in your experience for double keg strip setup

My thump is 5 gallon, I have to take my apart after each run to clean and store, can’t leave it up, the tri-clamp thing is just so easy.
by JC973
Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:26 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Copper in stills, effect on sulphur compounds research
Replies: 64
Views: 28703

Re: Copper in stills, effect on sulphur compounds research

I work in an industry that uses a lot of plated pieces, could we plate the SS tri clamp fittings with copper?
by JC973
Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:48 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Max thumper charge in your experience for double keg strip setup
Replies: 41
Views: 4989

Re: Max thumper charge in your experience for double keg strip setup

I went the easy way and machined a SS slug and cut some 3/4” NPT threads in it then welded the slug into the top of a SS Tee, made up a copper dip tube, now the whole thing tri-clamps in place, the photo of the whole rig is a mock up, I was short one elbow, I have that sorted out now so my PC is ver...
by JC973
Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:20 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Home Distiller T-shirts
Replies: 110
Views: 20426

Re: Home Distiller T-shirts

I’m in for 2-5 shirts, I LOL’d at the “So I’m tole” slogan for the back, that is the ultimate secret handshake, love it
by JC973
Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:16 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Slow to start KSSF wash
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Re: Slow to start KSSF wash

At this point I would normally start the next boiler charge and during that run I would remove the spent grain, add the cold water to the fermenter and wait for the backset mix to cool so I can add and it would start bubbling away in an hour or 3 at around 90-95F But, it was late so I left it all o...
by JC973
Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:10 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Slow to start KSSF wash
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Re: Slow to start KSSF wash

Have you checked the pH? Homer Ph was 5.25 when I closed the fermenter I looked at it this morning and attenuation is looking more normal, it just took a bit longer to warm up and get active, just a bit nervous that it would stall and rot, I would hate to loose it this many generations deep, it’s g...
by JC973
Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:03 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Slow to start KSSF wash
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Re: Slow to start KSSF wash

I doubt you will have damaged the generational wash, I'm newbie still(er) but at worst you may have to pitch more yeast. I have cold crashed a mash then thrown a sugar head in and it has started slow but picked up in a day or two. You didn't say what temp the water/backset was, hope you remembered ...
by JC973
Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:10 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Slow to start KSSF wash
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Slow to start KSSF wash

While stripping generation 5 KSSF, enough wash for 2 boiler fills, I finished up the first boiler charge strip and it was late so I pumped the 3 gallon of backset into a bucket with a few pounds of sweet feed grain, added the sugar and stirred until it was all nice and liquid. At this point I would ...
by JC973
Mon Jul 20, 2020 4:43 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Lost my distilling buddy
Replies: 20
Views: 1953

Re: Lost my distilling buddy

Sorry for your loss, I call those critters thieves, they steal your heart
by JC973
Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:13 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 737234

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Made some neutral from a BW wash, turned some of that into Espresso Laced Vodka, if it turns out as good as i hope, going to make more for Christmas presents
by JC973
Sat Jul 18, 2020 3:55 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: LM head
Replies: 21
Views: 3202

Re: LM head

Jack C wrote: Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:58 pm The dish is .525. Just over a half inch.
Jack, thanks for the info sir
by JC973
Sat Jul 18, 2020 12:24 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: LM head
Replies: 21
Views: 3202

Re: LM head

I personally like the looks of this idea, so easy to fit into a modular column. The port size doesn’t bother me much, the take off rate is usually just a slow drip any way, should be fine?

Can you give me an idea how deep the take off dish is?
by JC973
Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:22 am
Forum: General Stilling questions
Topic: Pumping Wash Into Still
Replies: 23
Views: 3268

Re: Pumping Wash Into Still

I use a tiny 110v, cheap, fountain pump, put 5’ of 3/8” clear hose then zip tied the hose to a 3’ stick so I have good control lowering it into the fermenter as it pumps the liquid out, when I hit the grain bed the grill on the front keeps the grain out and builds a natural filter so to speak, you c...
by JC973
Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:28 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First Malted Grain Wash
Replies: 4
Views: 875

Re: First Malted Grain Wash

Not sure what went wrong with this wash, it took off like crazy initially. 6 days in I checked the gravity, 1.02 but the Ph was low at 3 so I added some oyster shells and noticed it was cold, 70 degrees F. I wrap my fermenters with a moving blanket and put a trash bag over them, I have a 20” x 48” d...
by JC973
Thu Jul 09, 2020 8:06 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: sweetfeed whisky
Replies: 4220
Views: 670978

Re: sweetfeed whisky

Naw, 200mL from 11g of wash is fine. You aren't going to use the first bit of the spirit run anyway. I gotta say, mine is getting better after a few months on oak. I like it at cask strength over ice. I know I’m new and just a noob, but KSSF has been my first long term project, I’m on Gen 5. I have...
by JC973
Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:53 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 737234

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

I made a batch recently also, tried just a nip to confirm the taste and hid it from myself, 3 weeks to go, my wife keeps asking when, she is less patient than me
by JC973
Mon Jul 06, 2020 2:27 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Pot vs Reflux vs Plates
Replies: 22
Views: 2433

Re: Pot vs Reflux vs Plates

All thanks for the advise, read, run, taste, repeat
by JC973
Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:33 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Pot vs Reflux vs Plates
Replies: 22
Views: 2433

Re: Pot vs Reflux vs Plates

Bubble plates, packing, and sieve plates are all used to increase separation. More plates, a cleaner spirit. Bubble plates vs sieve plates, the bubble plates tend to trap tails more. In simple terms, plates act like additional runs through a pot still. Bluefish, so using plates to simulate multiple...
by JC973
Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:04 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 737234

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Needed a mixer/chopper for an apricot brandy I’m planning so I made this from a SS all thread and a couple of 12” props from my RC plane, hope it works.

by JC973
Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:08 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: sweetfeed whisky
Replies: 4220
Views: 670978

Re: sweetfeed whisky

Same here, no change in color, but the grain did look a little “worn” after gen 3 so I scooped out an 1” or less and put the new in the hot back set with the sugar.

Man the chickens loved that spent grain though
by JC973
Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:27 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Hammering a lid out of a copper sheet
Replies: 31
Views: 15930

Re: Hammering a lid out of a copper sheet

Beautiful, just beautiful. One of the best tutorials I have ever seen, like most anyone that Is comfortable with their art, you make it look so easy and it makes me want to try it, but I bet all I would make is a wrinkled copper plate out of a flat one, haha