Hello from the Pacific Northwest

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Just someguy
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Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 1:36 pm

Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by Just someguy »

Hello, I’m a huge zymurgy enthusiast. In my old life (before kids) I got through engineering school by applying the principles of what I was learning both in the field and through texts to my nano brewery. I built up a full electric brewery which took over a garage. During those times someone told me about absinthe. It was still illegal and I concluded that if I really wanted to taste it, i needed to make it. I came across this forum then and built up a one gallon pot with a small 1/4 in arm, purchased herbs from Wild Rose Herbs and macerated some store bought grain spirit by following blend of traditional recipes from the 1800s scaled down for 3L. I had a lot of fun and also tried my hand on rum, still have that dunder in the garage, but hated the time it took through such a small pipe. I realised that this wasn't going to work without scaling and at that time wasn't interested in doing so without my own place. Roommates are safer to trust with knowledge of a brewery.

Now that I have moved on, I have had to let go of all the brewery as it take up too much space. This however has left me unable to ferment anything in a long while, and I realized something was missing in my life. I started to muse again over the idea of this craft when I came across a video of Clawhammer supply DIY 5gal kit. It got me thinking, I have known some appartment guys in the past and am aware how little space this takes up compared to a full scale brewery. They were able to fit everything into a closet. Plus I have a real job so the initial hurdle of cost is less of a deal then it was back in my poor college days.

I drew up some plans and began modifying the Clawhammer design to also have tri clamp fittings, element ports, and methods that make it store better. I ran some numbers and realized my cost and time was at the point of just buying one. Then I cross referenced this plan with this great knowledge base here and sure enough the consensus I got was go a bit bigger than you think, it's always easier to run less then more when speaking about capacity limits, and a pot still is the better for the start… and I like real rum.

So now I’m looking at the 16 gal, 3 inch from Mile Hi as a simple all SS pot still which comes with all the ports that i need and, from what I hear, really nice wields. Something that I just don't have time to learn at this time. I have compared his boiler to a lot of others and like the tri clamp ports. There is also the added potential that it has to upgrade to VM or Plates in the future if I ever want to go that route.

My biggest realization is that since this isn't a brewery I can use two elements powered from two different circuits in my home without having to modify the structure electric. Keeping everything portable and storable is a hard design constraint for me.

I’ve got a BOM laid out of what I need for an electric panel, element setup and most importantly, have the Mrs. on board.

After I read through all the startup material primers, rules, safety, mistakes, ect. that you all have been put together, I decided to sign up since I realize that I’m probably here to stay.

I must say, a really big help indeed. Makes me feel like I’m prepared to get working on this hobby/craft.


Thank you!
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Still Life
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Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:24 pm
Location: Great State Of Missouri

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by Still Life »

Well the bad news is that since you got out of it, all distilling is now done with USB ports and lasers.
Kidding. :ebiggrin:
Sounds like you have a good mind for this hobby and have done your homework.

C'mon in and have fun. Welcome.
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nuntius01
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Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 4:51 pm
Location: upper midwest

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by nuntius01 »

Still Life wrote:Well the bad news is that since you got out of it, all distilling is now done with USB ports and lasers.
Kidding. :ebiggrin:
Sounds like you have a good mind for this hobby and have done your homework.

C'mon in and have fun. Welcome.
man that was a good one :lol: welcome
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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nerdybrewer
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Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by nerdybrewer »

Welcome!
You will find there are a lot of us in the PNW.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
Just someguy
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Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 1:36 pm

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by Just someguy »

Wow really in the PNW? I can't tell. I guess it figures for it seems that intoxicants help with all the rain. Wish that legal bill would pass. Then we could share like home Brewers do.

Sent from mobile
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cranky
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:18 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by cranky »

Welcome,
Like Nerdy said, lots of people here from the PNW. :wave:
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Oldvine Zin
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Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Like what cranky said, lots of use here in the PNW :wave:

OVZ
rickos
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2016 9:13 am
Location: PNW- Spanaway,WA

Re: Hello from the Pacific Northwest

Post by rickos »

Many PNW peeps, Welcome
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