Search found 1659 matches

by zapata
Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:42 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Muck
Replies: 25
Views: 1149

Re: Muck

I think the practical reason muck became a thing was just a way to process the yeast that couldn't be disposed of any other way. They couldn't recycle it constantly wash to wash or it would build up. They couldn't spray it on the fields because it doesn't spray. They couldn't dump it in the rivers o...
by zapata
Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:34 pm
Forum: Rum
Topic: Dunder Pit Ingredients
Replies: 4
Views: 1138

Re: Dunder Pit Ingredients

I think of it as "managing" a pit, not adding ingredients. Do you want to ensure certain microbes are active? Well then you need to innoculate your pit with something. Soil, potatoes, swiss cheese, yogurt, etc. Do you want to keep the bacteria active? Then you need to manage the pH of your...
by zapata
Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:15 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: Simplest high-proof reflux setup?
Replies: 42
Views: 4088

Re: Simplest high-proof reflux setup?

Please clarify your needs. You say it's for a competition, but what does that mean? Is it literally just a one off for a one day event never to be used again? Is it a competition of who can demonstrate basic ideas, or a competition of who can innovate something? Is this a high school science fair? A...
by zapata
Wed Apr 20, 2022 12:21 pm
Forum: Liqueurs
Topic: Pear liqeur
Replies: 5
Views: 897

Re: Pear liqeur

I've not met a fruit that didn't respond well to the panty dropper method.
by zapata
Wed Apr 20, 2022 12:08 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: "45* Offset LM"
Replies: 27
Views: 2255

Re: "45* Offset LM"

I do not think that has been concluded. It certainly hasn't in the scientific and industrial literature. It has always been known to be less of a problem the smaller diameter the column and the higher the abv. Centering of initial reflux return is probably irrelevant where a layer of liquid or froth...
by zapata
Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:32 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Anyone using automated brewers equipment for mashing?
Replies: 15
Views: 1385

Re: Anyone using automated brewers equipment for mashing?

Mark one vote for the anvil foundry. Works on either 120v and 240v, has better temp control, better power control, higher power, and is bigger than the brewzilla. For brewing there are some valid negatives that people who have used both have lodged against the foundry, so not suggesting it's perfect...
by zapata
Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:21 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Copper boiler thickness?
Replies: 12
Views: 1674

Re: Copper boiler thickness?

Design is gonna matter as much as thickness so far as holding weight on top. EG a flat lid like a stockpot will hold nowhere near the weight that a dome or onion will.
by zapata
Sun Apr 17, 2022 7:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: A bit dissapointed....
Replies: 16
Views: 1036

Re: A bit dissapointed....

I think more than just conversion, fermenting on the grain makes lauter / rinsing efficiency moot. The yeast will pick the grain hulls clean of every last sugar molecule (yes, while the remaining enzymes clean the grain of every last starch molecule). Straining post ferment means instead of washing ...
by zapata
Sun Apr 17, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: Gin
Topic: Rapid Maturation of Gin from 5 weeks to 3 days
Replies: 10
Views: 1806

Re: Rapid Maturation of Gin from 5 weeks to 3 days

So when we set aside our Gin for 4 to 6 weeks for it to smooth out what are we actually doing, are we not improving the emulsification of all the components? So this isn't perfectly established knowledge by any means. But I picture it having to do with the "crystal" structure of the water...
by zapata
Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:53 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper
Replies: 12
Views: 1241

Re: Thumper

Inspiration from St. Lucia Distiller's John Dore #1: st lucia john dore 1.jpg st lucia john dore 2.jpg (Note the thumpers were accidentally mounted in reverse order after routine maintenance and have supposedly been swapped) For scale the boiler is about 120 gallons so not insanely out of scale for ...
by zapata
Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Corn meal vs flake? Came sugar vs char bone sugar.
Replies: 7
Views: 520

Re: Corn meal vs flake? Came sugar vs char bone sugar.

I think you'll find far more research supporting a connection between sugar and AZD based on the "Type 3 diabetes" model than a mad cow one. Clinically speaking there just shouldn't be much confusion between advanced AZD and mad cow past a certain point. But if you have any sources I'd lov...
by zapata
Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:17 am
Forum: Gin
Topic: Rapid Maturation of Gin from 5 weeks to 3 days
Replies: 10
Views: 1806

Re: Rapid Maturation of Gin from 5 weeks to 3 days

I use a lab still setup for reflux when I want to do things like this. I say things like this, because I've never done it for gin. But I have held some whiskey under reflux for going on about 2 months now, but I'm going for a totally different goal there. You could probably use a sealed container bu...
by zapata
Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:54 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Tri Clamp to Liebig Help
Replies: 25
Views: 1125

Re: Tri Clamp to Liebig Help

Andrew_90 wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:46 am Image
Nice. That's exactly what I was picturing. So evidently the joint is strong enough without extra reinforcement, cool.
by zapata
Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:51 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Distillex 4 plate stainless flute -from order to assembly
Replies: 38
Views: 5495

Re: Distillex 4 plate stainless flute -from order to assembly

I assume they mean it's the crystal dragon style with all glass shell. They work the same but are different enough in materials, assembly and aesthetics that I wouldn't call them the same.
by zapata
Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:45 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Tri Clamp to Liebig Help
Replies: 25
Views: 1125

Re: Tri Clamp to Liebig Help

The easiest has got to be to drill out a 1.5" TC end cap to solder in the 3/4" Cu pipe. I'd be a little wary of how strong such a joint would be. Lots of ways to reinforce it, a stack of stainless fender washers, vertical fins, EZ flange the copper after penetrating the end cap, whatever. ...
by zapata
Wed Apr 06, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Azeotrope understanding - A little clarity required
Replies: 36
Views: 2672

Re: Azeotrope understanding - A little clarity required

I can't think of pot still scenario that will encounter any azeotrope. If it helps you understand things in theory, whatever works works. But if you are thinking you will see an azeo on a pot or that any old timers did the I think you might want to reconsider.
by zapata
Wed Apr 06, 2022 3:59 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Best place in the US to source copper pipe and fittings
Replies: 8
Views: 606

Re: Best place in the US to source copper pipe and fittings

google "plumbing supply" and your city. Hit up the local / state / regional supplier. Mine has shockingly good stock and prices and I think they have like 3 or 4 stores in neaby towns and cities. Also, as many times as I've seen it pop up on various hobby sites, is there not a national lis...
by zapata
Tue Apr 05, 2022 6:12 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Azeotrope understanding - A little clarity required
Replies: 36
Views: 2672

Re: Azeotrope understanding - A little clarity required

Ethyl acetate, ethanol and water form a ternary azeotrope, which if I'm not mistaken will read 60-70% with an alcometer. Interestingly this azeotrope really does have more water than the ethanol / water binary azeotrope, so by some measurements you distill more water in heads than hearts, if you ver...
by zapata
Tue Apr 05, 2022 6:00 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Fish Tank for Infusing?
Replies: 10
Views: 860

Re: Fish Tank for Infusing?

I'd suggest that 5 gallons is a lot. Note that lost spirits tried to make a go of selling other people their tech, and I haven't heard any buzz about those customers making fantastic spirits. And from my memory of the patents, the one thing that wasn't just wood in a jar is their magic light so don'...
by zapata
Tue Apr 05, 2022 5:48 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Various brands distiller's yeast alcohol tolerances
Replies: 4
Views: 696

Re: Various brands distiller's yeast alcohol tolerances

IMHO winemaking is the rare exception in the fermenting arts that it ever makes sense to find a yeast strain's alcohol tolerance. Spirits will tend to taste bad from excess congeners that get concentrated in the distilling process. Which is may be why you may not find such a list for beer or distill...
by zapata
Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:14 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Metallurgical help: Is this Copper?
Replies: 5
Views: 574

Re: Metallurgical help: Is this Copper?

Definitely check for lead. Then test the density. (weigh it, measure volume by water displacement)
by zapata
Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:07 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Steam Mash Woes... New protocol and ffs....!
Replies: 32
Views: 1612

Re: Steam Mash Woes... New protocol and ffs....!

Dent is for people too, though admittedly most is used for feed, especially yellow dent. The point though is that rancid corn is not sold as food, but it is sold as feed. So regardless of type or category since I can't spec grain by the train load, if I buy it from food stores it is reliably better ...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:41 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Replies: 71
Views: 6127

Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.

All cleared up, cheers. (edit to add, in the meantime I watched the whole interview with the Hampden crew and it was gold. When Peppie and Glenroy started flaunting that bottle of Great House because the owner Christelle hadn't tasted it yet, I lost it. But when she admitted she didn't have a single...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:02 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Steam Mash Woes... New protocol and ffs....!
Replies: 32
Views: 1612

Re: Steam Mash Woes... New protocol and ffs....!

"I have been itching to try food grade sweet corn... "
Food grade corn good, fresher, not rancid, taste better, pro distillers use food grade not feed grade, good idea.
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:39 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Replies: 71
Views: 6127

Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.

I initially posted to suggest that there isn't 1 fixed traditional way of loading retorts or of how to use dunder or muck. Specifically regarding what exactly high and low wines are, and if dunder or muck goes in a retort, with a focus on what I know of Hampden since it's your inspiration. And secon...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:23 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Replies: 71
Views: 6127

Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.

Am I misunderstanding your communications? 1000% Perhaps re-read what I said from the perspective that I am a rum enthusiast, a Jamaican rum enthusiast, a rum making enthusiast, and a double retort rum making enthusiast. But I won't step on your thread any more. My apologies for any offense, best o...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:35 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Replies: 71
Views: 6127

Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.

That's curious... Don't most of the big names in Jamaican RUM distilleries have their own Forsythe still? Correct me if I am wrong, but Forsythe is a Scottish potstill manufacturer. No doubt the Scottish distillation industry is not without British influence... Apologies to any Scott or Brit that m...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 11:10 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Otis’ 4” VM/CM Column Build
Replies: 47
Views: 2913

Re: Otis’ 4” VM/CM Column Build

Nice build, I likey. I wonder if switching to a 3" column would help give the proof bump you're looking for? In theory it would better match your element, have a better diameter / height ratio, keep HETP low through better liquid distribution, and allow you to play around with the very wet almo...
by zapata
Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:08 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Shotgun End Plates & Baffles Help Needed
Replies: 46
Views: 2366

Re: Shotgun End Plates & Baffles Help Needed

Also, as additional reinforcements, I have installed olives behind the end plates to give solder a much greater bond. Many of you have said their shotguns eventually cracked a leak, the olives will help I'm sure. Top Tip: My mum lent me her jewellery making ring sizing tool, this proved brilliant t...