Search found 735 matches

by stillanoob
Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:31 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Apple Brandy Recipe
Replies: 143
Views: 56687

Re: Apple Brandy Recipe

Can you get these from epay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1LB-Toasted-White-American-Oak-Chips-Sticks-Distilling-Moonshine-Beer-Wine/190834648120?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 They have worked for me. I just got 1/2 of a wine barrel and am going to toast my own. I am cur...
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:58 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Sweet Feed Mash - No sugar added
Replies: 12
Views: 1848

Re: Sweet Feed Mash - No sugar added

So, maybe try hitting the sweet feed with boiling water, give the corn time to gelatinize, allow to cool to 150 or so and add quite a bit of malted barley for enzymes. Yes sir that's my plan exactly. I do have some Sebstar and Sebamyl on hand. Might do a batch only using malted barley and another o...
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 30, 2021 6:31 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Sweet Feed Mash - No sugar added
Replies: 12
Views: 1848

Re: Sweet Feed Mash - No sugar added

My understanding ( and I am just getting started with AG) is that the temperature to gelatinize the corn (190ish) would denature the enzymes in the barley. Since none of the grain in sweet feed is malted you are going to need serious additional enzymes to convert the starches. So, maybe try hitting ...
by stillanoob
Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:56 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Apple Brandy Recipe
Replies: 143
Views: 56687

Re: Apple Brandy Recipe

I leave my white brandy at room temperature. However, plum is the only brandy that I leave white. I did a pear/apple brandy a few weeks back and it was good white but was asking for some oak so it is sitting on it now. I like the mangrove jack yeast. I think I like it better than EC1118. Bummer is t...
by stillanoob
Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:50 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...
Replies: 12
Views: 1239

Re: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...

Once more into the breach... Well, the second attempt was very similar to the first. Either the equipment was colder this time or I had a recto-cranial inversion reading the thermometer last time but in spite of mashing in the corn with boiling water we ended up at 185F. Next time I will pre-warm th...
by stillanoob
Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:33 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Questions for those that lauter
Replies: 24
Views: 3328

Re: Questions for those that lauter

But... But... I thought this was the fast, easy road to cheap liquor?!

I think we will try lautering without the bag and then if that fails brew bag it.
by stillanoob
Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:40 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Questions for those that lauter
Replies: 24
Views: 3328

Re: Questions for those that lauter

We are going to take another shot at it today. I do have a brew bag but how does one stir effectively in a brew bag?

We'll see how it goes. I have the Sebstar GL to use this time.
by stillanoob
Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:37 pm
Forum: Beer, and Wine
Topic: Fruit wine under airlock?
Replies: 5
Views: 1242

Re: Fruit wine under airlock?

What is the ABV? If it is actual wine with 12% or so it will keep longer than cider. Also, it will begin to lose flavor after a year or so. I have left some cider for almost 2 years, it was still fine but had lost the apple character and could have been a light white wine. Not bad, just not what I w...
by stillanoob
Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:29 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: New copper still
Replies: 8
Views: 746

Re: New copper still

Starting with a funnel is a great idea. I made a little container I guess I'd call it first. I wish I had found the article you linked Bushman, good starter project. A parrot might be another starter project. And yes, I like using my parrot for stripping runs. Lets not get into that. But working wit...
by stillanoob
Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:00 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: New copper still
Replies: 8
Views: 746

Re: New copper still

Just to be a contrarian... You can find the copper you need online. There are plans available by pintoshine that have the template for a pot still ready to print, no math required. I love my home made copper pot still, had a lot of fun making it and it works great. Copper is very forgiving and unles...
by stillanoob
Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:35 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Questions for those that lauter
Replies: 24
Views: 3328

Re: Questions for those that lauter

Up, how much water did you start with for the corn? I may get a pump to recirculate with but I am hoping to avoid it. I had a very fancy RIMS system I built for beer way back and I hated when a pump would act up, leaving me %&#* on brew day. What pump do you use? My still buddy couldn't make it ...
by stillanoob
Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:18 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: My Pot Makes A Nice Sound When It Crashes
Replies: 8
Views: 1131

Re: My Pot Makes A Nice Sound When It Crashes

Second run with my home made copper pot still, I had a stupident. Not accident, which is something you can't avoid. I had left the pot on the edge of a bench and was just going to grab a sponge. I heard the horrible, clanging, gut wrenching noise, turned around with a brick in my stomach, picked up ...
by stillanoob
Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:41 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: The Americas Cup 2021
Replies: 28
Views: 3238

Re: The Americas Cup 2021

Exciting video! Really good to see some good sportsmanship.
by stillanoob
Mon Jan 18, 2021 1:59 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My 12 gallon copper still build
Replies: 65
Views: 9977

Re: My 12 gallon copper still build

No problem! Roll on back with some pics of your build.
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:03 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Can I freeze unusded fermented wort?
Replies: 17
Views: 997

Re: Can I freeze unusded fermented wort?

Another option would be to up your ferment to say 30l and then do two stripping runs in a day.
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:25 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...
Replies: 12
Views: 1239

Re: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...

A little update... Tried to rack the beer we had going as it was done. Nice and dry. Clearly it kept converting as it no longer had any starchy flavor. It passed an iodine test too. Tasted like 5-6%. So while the lauter was a fail at least the mash was OK. The oyster shells showed some wear but were...
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:13 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: The liar's bench
Replies: 6676
Views: 487705

Re: The liar's bench

ismbardbrunel123 wrote: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:14 pm Been about 4 months since i paid for Whisky.....but i find i drink more.....oh well, even more savings.... :econfused:
The more you drink, the more you save! :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
by stillanoob
Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:11 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My 12 gallon copper still build
Replies: 65
Views: 9977

Re: My 12 gallon copper still build

I over lapped the entire thing with the base pan on the outside. I riveted and the soldered. Strong and leak free, no problem. For some reason I can't find my entire build thread?! Here is a pic of the bottom. 20191018_091417_resized.jpg Found my build thread: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop...
by stillanoob
Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:10 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...
Replies: 12
Views: 1239

Re: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...

Firstly, my apologies for not listing the wheat as malt. It is and sorry for wasting folk's time on that. MCH, we did stir a fair bit. Maybe should have done more. We were using a drill with a mortar paddle and a spoon. I do know the enzymes need help perambulating. As to pH, we didn't measure. Sebs...
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:18 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...
Replies: 12
Views: 1239

Re: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...

Thanks Set and SS. Lemme try to get some of this straight. Since we used flaked maize, we didn't need to get it to 190 and use the Sebstar HTL? I thought that it was pre-gelantinized but needed some help from enzymes to convert into something that the enzymes from the grain could work with. The whol...
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:30 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...
Replies: 12
Views: 1239

First lauter/ all grain. Didn't quite go as planned...

Howdy All, Welp, me and my still buddy made or first foray into all grain. We were using Honey Bear Bourbon as as our starting point. 16.6 LB of Breiss flaked maize 3.3 pounds white wheat 3.3 ponds of red wheat 3.3 pounds of pale malt 1.6 pounds of honey malt 2 pounds (I think, I have to check) rice...
by stillanoob
Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:44 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Proof and oaking question
Replies: 11
Views: 1038

Re: Proof and oaking question

I put some 40% ABV on oak. It tasted like licking a stick. Same whisky put on the same oak at 65% came out great, lots of vanilla and caramel. So I age at 65%.
by stillanoob
Sat Jan 02, 2021 5:38 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: New Years. What Did You Sip
Replies: 27
Views: 2323

Re: New Years. What Did You Sip

Hard apple/cherry cider. Followed by a couple of apple brandies.
by stillanoob
Mon Dec 28, 2020 3:32 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: low wine stripped smell
Replies: 65
Views: 3811

Re: low wine stripped smell

On reflection, could my problems be due to the fact that the alembic was new and I didn't do a sacrificial run on it. I honestly didnt know I had to. Its not in the rules or any papers ive read. Yup, that is a practical, real world experience type of thing. As SS said, probably it was your wash. On...
by stillanoob
Fri Dec 25, 2020 8:35 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Worst Christmas ever
Replies: 2
Views: 283

Re: Worst Christmas ever

I like to say that distilling (and many other things) are at the intersection of Art and Science and the objective is to master the art and learn the science. Welcome!
by stillanoob
Fri Dec 25, 2020 8:04 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Christmas greetings and happy holidays
Replies: 11
Views: 971

Re: Christmas greetings and happy holidays

Merry Christmas all! This will be my first Christmas ever with my own spirits and I have this group to thank for it. Merry Merry!
by stillanoob
Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:33 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: My first F@#k Up
Replies: 15
Views: 1185

Re: My first F@#k Up

Ouch! :thumbdown: But don't worry, your biggest mistakes are probably still ahead of you... :lol:
by stillanoob
Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:55 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: whats your music
Replies: 2657
Views: 240343

Re: whats your music

Listening to Bird and Diz on vinyl. Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Thelonious Monk. Talk about the All Star team. As a bonus, my wife's father did the cover art. I have a glass of apple brandy in my hand and some chicken parmesan in the oven. Today is my last day of quarantine, I ha...
by stillanoob
Sun Dec 20, 2020 1:08 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Tanic taste from oak chips
Replies: 13
Views: 1222

Re: Tanic taste from oak chips

What ABV did you put it on oak? I made the mistake of putting some 40% on oak and it tasted like licking a stick. The same whisky put on oak at 65% tasted great, vanilla and yummy. If it was at cask strength then I'd say just too many chips and I would redistill. I use 1/2" x 1/2" x 4"...
by stillanoob
Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:06 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Foreshot Hand Sanitizer
Replies: 21
Views: 2695

Re: Foreshot Hand Sanitizer

Foreshots have more than ethanol in them. They will dry your hands like a mother! Also, being more volatile they will evaporate more quickly than ethanol. This is part of why they don't recommend higher ABV. So what I did was grab some feints, run it through the still and used the "hearts"...