Search found 10275 matches

by still_stirrin
Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:00 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stuck fermentation
Replies: 39
Views: 971

Re: Stuck fermentation

Did you mix the hydroxide in a little water, to make a slurry before adding to the acidic ferment? I always do. But the pH scale is not linear, it’s logarithmic, meaning pH=3.0 is 10 times more acidic than pH=4.0. So, if you’re down below pH=3.0, you are VERY acidic and 3 teaspoons is probably not e...
by still_stirrin
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Vienna malt
Replies: 10
Views: 510

Re: Vienna malt

I was actually thinking about a Vienna single malt last night. Something inspired by Beethoven, just so I could bottle Beethoven’s fifth. Well played sir. Well played. :clap: +1. :clap: :clap: ss p.s. - I made an Oktoberfest with 100% Vienna malt and the Bavarian lager yeast. Delicious. It won me a...
by still_stirrin
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:00 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Running Heating Element Dry by mistake
Replies: 11
Views: 440

Re: Running Heating Element Dry by mistake

artooks wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:04 pm… but this situation still puzzles me, because normally it should have been fried … what is the reason that it is still in good condition is it because the heating element is LW ?
Nope. You just got lucky.

Next time, dry firing may burn the element out. Or, cause it to melt or break.
ss
by still_stirrin
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Running Heating Element Dry by mistake
Replies: 11
Views: 440

Re: Running Heating Element Dry by mistake

It appears intact...First inspect the exterior for burns or holes. Then you could check it with a multimeter... I think it ran dry for a short time otherwise it would have been seriously damaged (melted) :thumbup: An ohmmeter should tell you if it’s fried or not. Remember, ohm’s law: V = I x R. So,...
by still_stirrin
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stuck fermentation
Replies: 39
Views: 971

Re: Stuck fermentation

… But can I throw in some sodium bicarbonate or something to buffer it instead if that’s the issue? I wouldn’t add baking soda. It would add too much sodium, which yeast don’t like either. If you HAVE to add a base, use calcium hydroxide (pickling lime). It is available in the canning section of yo...
by still_stirrin
Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:05 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: New flute questions
Replies: 36
Views: 1187

Re: New flute questions

Ok I bought a 60GPH 1/2 hp pump and it doesn’t seem much better. Guessing the needle valve sucks. Here is the RC vs PC output with it. 60 GPH = 1 GPM, ie - 1 gallon per minute. That is not much flow at all. And, if the pump is “rated” at that flow, chances are that the “deadhead” is quite low too, ...
by still_stirrin
Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:49 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stuck fermentation
Replies: 39
Views: 971

Re: Stuck fermentation

…pH of starting water is 7.5 <— slightly basic … pH of mash I just pitched yeast in this morning is 3.2. <— bzzzzzzt! very acidic. … pH of mash that is stuck at 1.025 SG is 3.9 <— The pH went UP? I’m confused here. You have one mash at pH=3.2 and another at pH=3.9? Or, is this the same mash at diff...
by still_stirrin
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:10 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: home made PTFE gasket
Replies: 7
Views: 581

Re: home made PTFE gasket

Clever Sadie. Very clever.
ss
by still_stirrin
Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:56 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Aging through the winter months
Replies: 10
Views: 1169

Re: Aging through the winter months

I put some jars to age inside a BLACK plastic box with a black (painted) lid. Its on the back deck where it gets sun most of the day. Jars reach 95F in the day and 20's and 30's F overnight. Is that temperature cycling good? Do the jars have a means to “breathe”? If not, I just hope that they don’t...
by still_stirrin
Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:42 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Best sugar-wash?
Replies: 32
Views: 1673

Re: Best sugar-wash?

I’m a fan of Rad’s “All Bran” recipe. Clean, consistent and economical. It makes a great neutral.
ss
by still_stirrin
Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:39 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Pressure fermenter
Replies: 10
Views: 552

Re: Pressure fermenter

Well, it is questionable how well yeast will function at pressures above atmospheric. Without doubt, activity will be restrained. But, how far will the single cell organism continue to reduce sugar molecules? I don’t think there is much advantage for “pressurized fermentation” aside from reducing in...
by still_stirrin
Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Need Feedback on My All Grain Plans
Replies: 7
Views: 410

Re: Need Feedback on My All Grain Plans

… I find the words people use to describe tasting notes as very confusing.... maybe all those years in the oil industry destroyed my taste buds... “Experience” helps to differentiate the flavor contributions of different grains. For me (personally), being a beer homebrewer and certified beer judge ...
by still_stirrin
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Looking to build a CCVM
Replies: 28
Views: 1035

Re: Looking to build a CCVM

muse wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:50 am… I've done lots of searches and most don't detail the lengths of pipe, size of condensers etc.
Muse, the CCVM is a reflux “column”. So, look in the Column Build forum. There’s a few good threads there to read through. Help yourself.
ss
by still_stirrin
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Grains
Topic: Unmalted rye question
Replies: 4
Views: 340

Re: Unmalted rye question

utvol wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:09 am Do I need to do a glucan rest when using unmalted rye?
Yes.

Malting rye grain does not “create” the glucans. It is the starch in the species and so the temperature rest during mashing will help reduce the viscosity of the wort.
ss
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:35 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Closing up the shed...
Replies: 29
Views: 1376

Re: Closing up the shed...

The Baker wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 4:15 amJust wondering...
can you include a basement or a mezzanine or a second floor...?

Geoff
Perhaps an elevator for “old farts” like us, huh Geoff?
ss
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Bourbon Stall
Replies: 18
Views: 1088

Re: Bourbon Stall

... I'm racking my brain. I'm a brewer by trade , but this is puzzling me. :) A swing and a miss, “Steeeee—-rrrriiiike”. What does your boss think happened? It sounds like the conditions for the yeast are off. Did you make a starter before pitching? If using dry yeast, did you properly rehydrate it...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:53 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: SBB's All Molasses Rum Recipe
Replies: 698
Views: 193424

Re: SBB's All Molasses Rum Recipe

I feel pretty good about my direction but any thoughts/comments at this point would be much appreciated: option 1: I'm thinking of making one more wash, then doing 2 stripping runs and a spirit run with the third wash and the low wines from 1&2. option 2: I guess I could also do one more wash, ...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Advice for my first still setup
Replies: 42
Views: 3549

Re: Advice for my first still setup

Too bad your neighbor with the lathe doesn’t have a TiG welder. That’d make short work of your dilema.
ss
by still_stirrin
Fri Jan 26, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: How new hobbyists learn right from wrong if there are videos with wrong infromation
Replies: 23
Views: 1118

Re: How new hobbyists learn right from wrong if there are videos with wrong infromation

Youtube videos do not necessarily hold safety as a charter. In fact, most Youtubers make no claims to the risks or safety when promoting home distillation. The social media tool is instead focused on viewership and subscribers. “Tubers” can gain notoriety and compensation if the views are significan...
by still_stirrin
Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Fwd: Counterfeit Spirits (YOU WILL BE CAUGHT)
Replies: 165
Views: 153744

Re: Fwd: Counterfeit Spirits (YOU WILL BE CAUGHT)

I read where Ohio was trying to pass home distilling legislation where you could legally home distill 100 gal of spirits a year. Any other states like that out there? I don't know if it ever passed. States can pass laws, but federal law prevails. However, enforcement is moderated by financial and r...
by still_stirrin
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Rate my Liebig
Replies: 23
Views: 1200

Re: Rate my Liebig

This is my first attempt and building anything distilling related. 2x gate valves to control water flow in/out. They will accept standard garden hose fittings. <— They’re not “gate valves”, they’re “boiler drains”, like you’d have at the washer/dryer hookup. Gate valves have a rising gate that “ris...
by still_stirrin
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:17 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: New flute questions
Replies: 36
Views: 1187

Re: New flute questions

What do you guys mean by running a ball valve in parallel? If I put both on wouldn't it still be restricted to the smallest valve (the needle). Put a Tee before and after the needle valve and plumb the ball valve along beside the needle valve. That way you can open the ball valve to flow much more ...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: multiple foreshots
Replies: 17
Views: 1231

Re: multiple foreshots

Wiley0717 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:12 am…I didn't cut my foreshore from my head…
That sounds dangerous. :ebiggrin:
Wiley0717 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:12 am…Reading this, I can use it again in a spirit run as-is?
“For sure”.

Rerun it all (the low wines you’ve collected from the strip run).
ss
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:18 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Do I need a power regulator for my VM still?
Replies: 8
Views: 400

Re: Do I need a power regulator for my VM still?

+1 Yummy. Otto, for a 30 liter keg/boiler, 4kW is overkill. 2kW will heat it to boiling quickly enough so you can get things stable before collecting off the spout. And a power regulating controller is highly recommended. Get one, or build one … you’ll be glad you did. Like Yummy suggested, I usuall...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 21, 2024 6:45 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First attempt
Replies: 11
Views: 685

Re: First attempt

… Whelp, into the carbon filter… Put it all (what you’ve collected) back into the boiler, dilute to 30%ABV, and rerun it, collecting into more jars. Then, make better cuts from your collection. A single distillation (one & done) rarely produces a fine spirit, especially for a new distiller. Whe...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 21, 2024 6:24 am
Forum: Gin
Topic: Gin questions
Replies: 4
Views: 421

Re: Gin questions

… I understand the recipe is tailored to each person's liking… Indeed. A gin tends to be a “personalized” spirit … “to each … their own”, customized to the distiller’s preference. There is no “right” or “wrong”. … When you are using say 12 spices is there more to the formula for amounts? Or, does o...
by still_stirrin
Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:43 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Mashes different colors?
Replies: 14
Views: 571

Re: Mashes different colors?

So after two weeks I noticed the the top few inches of the lighter ones are turning to match the darker ones. Is this likely the tops oxidizing? <— No. Or is it more likely that for some reason the two were lighter because they had lots of suspended particulates and are now beginning to clear and s...
by still_stirrin
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:27 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What is this ?
Replies: 10
Views: 492

Re: What is this ?

Yep. What HDNB said. It’s from the corn. I’ve tried to filter it through coffee filters, but it doesn’t work very well. But, if you age in a cask, it will stay in the cask. Otherwise, it just adds a little “corny-ness”.
ss
by still_stirrin
Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:28 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: getting ready for my first spirit run with new still...any advice..
Replies: 78
Views: 2096

Re: getting ready for my first spirit run with new still...any advice..

Sadie, that’s the “average” of the collected distillate. If it was a strip, it would be the low wines %ABV. But if it’s for a spirit run, where you’ve collected a series of jars, the value you’d enter (a guess based upon experience) would be a calculated average which could be estimated by multiplyi...
by still_stirrin
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: yet another new build query
Replies: 12
Views: 562

Re: yet another new build query

This question gets asked frequently, but I think the engineering behind the answer is often misunderstood: I was (mistakenly?) assuming that having the shotgun condenser vertical would make the product travel through it quicker, so it would cool less as it has less time to make contact with the cool...