Search found 3112 matches

by Usge
Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:38 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Temperature Probe for Mr. Distiller
Replies: 1
Views: 908

Re: Temperature Probe for Mr. Distiller

Hi there badflash. The Mr Distiller is just a simple air-cooled coil directly above the pot. There's not really any ambient space above the pot and between the condenser to remotely/accurately measure vapor/head temp. And really, its just not necessary on such a simple device - particularly when you...
by Usge
Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:12 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Dephlegmators
Replies: 93
Views: 15321

Re: Dephlegmators

Greetings! Yea, not online much anymore. I relocated shortly after this...and have more space, so I acquired a 4" modular Dash1 to play with. The water flow is basically the same setup as I had originally, with a T -line ...one going to RC, one going to PC, and a valve on the RC output/bottom t...
by Usge
Mon Jan 09, 2017 1:32 pm
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Walking Wolf
Replies: 20
Views: 7700

Re: Walking Wolf

RIP Walking Wolf.
by Usge
Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:49 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Popcorn Sutton's Corn Mash Recipe (from his book)
Replies: 56
Views: 145340

Re: Popcorn Sutton's Corn Mash Recipe (from his book)

Pouring boiling water in the barrel and steeping the corn before adding malt does produce "some" conversion...but as surmised the sugar is what ultimately makes it tick.. In that regard, it's technically a form of thin-mash...albeit more thin..than mash ;). I found this type method to work...
by Usge
Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:14 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Still design question?
Replies: 6
Views: 1758

Re: Still design question?

Hi there, mine was actually a small (5gal) version of the Ga Ridge still with a 2nd gooseneck potstill head made to fit the same pot...and you are correct that is the Colonel's work (the Double Diamond). The original design of the Ga Ridge head which I believe he called a "rocket reflux" h...
by Usge
Fri Aug 07, 2015 7:55 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Opinion on corn flavors
Replies: 12
Views: 2038

Re: Opinion

Tater, that's interesting. I've noticed the general qualities you mention...(ie., too much green and it gets very grassy/spicey, and the musty/earthly/loamy quality of malted corn). But, I haven't really thought much about a difference in that taste from yield...as I always made it the same way...(b...
by Usge
Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:21 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: The Passing Of A Tough Old Bird...
Replies: 61
Views: 5135

Re: The Passing Of A Tough Old Bird...

Sorry to hear that Rad and for your loss. My condolences.
by Usge
Thu Jul 23, 2015 9:00 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burn wash leaving burnt taste
Replies: 33
Views: 5066

Re: Burn wash leaving burnt taste

Yea, I don't think the thumper was an issue. More than likely, your peach mash had very low alc content (and residual sugars in it). That would explain both things: 1) why it took longer than expected to start producing anything and 2) why it burned in the pot. (ie., residual sugars)
by Usge
Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:00 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Milling lesson learned
Replies: 22
Views: 4778

Re: Milling lesson learned

I use a barley crusher powered by drill on cracked corn all the time and it works a treat. Now...it doesn't work worth beans on whole corn though. The corona is better for that. The problem/issue with most corona's is that they are cast and the parts aren't really that clean (manf wise). The mechani...
by Usge
Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Am I getting tails throughout my product?
Replies: 18
Views: 2995

Re: Am I getting tails throughout my product?

RE: dilution. You'll find that higher proof tends to make some of the nasty bite of heads go away...as they can be somewhat soluble in ethanol. Watering down the proof...they'll drop out and you'll find them more pronounced..easier to find. So, water those early jars down..and swish it around in you...
by Usge
Thu Jun 25, 2015 7:37 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Ian Smiley's Whiskey book and fractionating stills
Replies: 15
Views: 3774

Re: Ian Smiley's Whiskey book and fractionating stills

Ian's book(s) contained 2 printings. The first edition of his book, was based on distilling to the highest purity possible, then blending back in feints for flavor (Odin has a similar method that he based off this first edition). His 2nd edition, he rewrote parts of the book to be more inline with c...
by Usge
Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:37 am
Forum: Drinks and Drinking
Topic: buffalo trace - white dog.
Replies: 32
Views: 5318

Re: buffalo trace - white dog.

The bottle I had was wide on the cut and a bit raspy on the tongue. Also, every bottle I've seen always looks slightly cloudy...which would also imply a wide cut into tails...not just heads. But, it was interesting to get to taste it.
by Usge
Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:07 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: My first electric keg still with thump keg
Replies: 36
Views: 4212

Re: My first electric keg still with thump keg

Pipe/tube diameter vs vapor speed/flow. The amount of vapor "volume" you have is determined by how much heat you are putting into your pot (still charge). If you put that same amount of heat/ vapor through a larger pipe...it's velocity will be slower. The smaller the tube/pipe...will still...
by Usge
Fri Jun 12, 2015 7:35 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson
Replies: 14
Views: 9581

Re: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson

Thanks for that actual grain bill MDH. It appears that they use the corn (and malt to convert it) for a separate 2nd distillation process using a column still to make a 15% beer that is distilled to 94+ % in a different (column) still to make a light grain alc for blending back after maturation. Bot...
by Usge
Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:57 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson
Replies: 14
Views: 9581

Re: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson

You only have to cook grains that have "not" been malted. For grains that have been malted you only need to mash them.
by Usge
Wed Jun 10, 2015 6:51 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson
Replies: 14
Views: 9581

Re: need a grain bill that will compare to Jameson

AFAIK, Jameson's is pure 100% barley malt recipe (not peated). As far as the blend of various different kinds of barley malt...I have no idea. But, I don't believe that it's got any other adjuncts into it (ie., rye or oats or wheat, etc) The largest difference is it's triple distilled. Aged on oak
by Usge
Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:16 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper running dry???
Replies: 12
Views: 2181

Re: Thumper running dry???

Just unclamp one end of the connection between boiler/thumper and move it slightly to the side...as soon as you cut the fire/heat at end of run. (also: use gloves)
by Usge
Wed May 27, 2015 9:18 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Mash Rookie
Replies: 84
Views: 31855

Re: Mash Rookie

Sad :( . My condolences.

Long may the wind be at your back. And long may your big jib draw.
by Usge
Tue May 19, 2015 8:37 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: double check your ferrule joints
Replies: 22
Views: 2743

Re: double check your ferrule joints

You can get a copper ferrule that will solder good and solid to copper pipe for 16 bucks.
by Usge
Tue May 19, 2015 8:35 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: My quest for wild yeast
Replies: 58
Views: 7369

Re: My quest for wild yeast

Last time I did one, at the recommendation of someone here, I went to an place that sold good looking fruit, and got some grapes that had some white powder on them. I tossed a few (3 or 4 clumped together) of those in the fermenter...and next day it was bubbling away.
by Usge
Tue May 05, 2015 9:42 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Sparging Flaked Maize
Replies: 9
Views: 2343

Re: Sparging Flaked Maize

Most of the liquid in flaked corn mash is "trapped" in between the grains...not absorbed into it — which is why rice hulls can help. The amount of pressure it takes to release it via squeezing is minimal at first...and gets progressively harder as it goes until you "are" extracti...
by Usge
Mon May 04, 2015 2:21 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Sparging Flaked Maize
Replies: 9
Views: 2343

Re: Sparging Flaked Maize

I dunno, I've just never found straining off flaked maize "that" difficult. As far as I have experienced....it won't sparge. I just use a very large grain bag and line my mashtun with it. When I'm done...I open the spigot and mash the bag against' the false bottom and it I'm usually able t...
by Usge
Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:38 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Using malts in place of yeast
Replies: 79
Views: 8557

Re: Using malts in place of yeast

Yes...the corn malt will generate heat from the process as it develops. And this is what can cause mold when it is not turned enough, and rinsed etc. or it's stacked to high and left to sit too long.
by Usge
Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:36 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: enhancing your grain whiskey.
Replies: 56
Views: 7090

Re: enhancing your grain whiskey.

Years ago I did a similar experiment. I used a flower vase (very open at the top) put some whitedog in it and I put just small amount of 2 row malt (not crushed) in it. I sipped/tasted it a little while later (dont' remember how long) and it tasted very good!! So, I left it overnight. By the followi...
by Usge
Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:43 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: Junior johnso's Midnight Moonshine Original ( Review )
Replies: 21
Views: 4696

Re: Junior johnso's Midnight Moonshine Original ( Review )

I tried JJ when it first came out and it was very "vodka" like with little flavor. It was otherwise smooth and did not have the pronounced fusel, etc..that you speak of. Maybe they changed things around later? Or maybe my tastebuds are just shot. But, it didn't put me off near as bad as ol...
by Usge
Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:38 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Need Better Conversion on AG Corn Mash
Replies: 26
Views: 3103

Re: Need Better Conversion on AG Corn Mash

Yes JW. It's purely adjustable by putting washers inbetween the mount holding the grinding wheel. You can make it wide or narrow. The caveat is...they are not nearly as precision as rollers are. They tend to make uneven (ie. some heavy crack, some light, some flour). The trick is to try and get the ...
by Usge
Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:42 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper size revisited
Replies: 8
Views: 2120

Re: Thumper size revisited

It's based on the output capacity of your still. Having one too large is not going to hurt anything up to a point. Having one too small will (it will overfill and puke). Because you will be running "different" still charges...both in terms of volume and abv, your sizing choice needs to be ...
by Usge
Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:36 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: first run with a thumper
Replies: 8
Views: 1465

Re: first run with a thumper

You just did one.
by Usge
Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:03 am
Forum: Drinks and Drinking
Topic: Alcohol pic of the day, week, whatever
Replies: 172
Views: 26698

Re: Alcohol pic of the day, week, whatever

That Laggie will put the kung-fu grip on your throat!