Search found 889 matches

by Hack
Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:42 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Shiny Still Pics!
Replies: 28
Views: 17346

Re: Shiny Still Pics!

LWTCS wrote:Yes the self filling capability allows for more abv through the course of the run doc
Not only that, but it makes it closer to a true second distillation like one would get from double running their hooch.
by Hack
Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:43 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Shiny Still Pics!
Replies: 28
Views: 17346

Re: Shiny Still Pics!

Hey, wow! I haven't been on in a long time, though I'm still making whiskey. I'm really happy to hear somebody copied my idea and it worked as well for them as it has for me!
by Hack
Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:46 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: First Keg Still
Replies: 15
Views: 2863

Re: First Keg Still

I cut the hole in the top of my keg and strap a mixing bowl cap over it. After using it that way for a few years now, I can tell you the uncut keg guys are right. It's unnecessary. The only upside is that my boiler can double as a brew pot if I want. If you still want to cut a hole, there's no need ...
by Hack
Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:38 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Puke box / thumper question
Replies: 12
Views: 3816

Re: Puke box / thumper question

I've had my still puke on me once while using a thumper and my thumper was plenty large enough to contain it, using a five gallon thumper with a fifteen gallon keg boiler. I don't think you'll need to worry about a return line. Starting with my self filling thumper empty, at the end of the run there...
by Hack
Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:20 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Am I running my pot still to slow?
Replies: 5
Views: 3754

Re: Am I running my pot still to slow?

You aren't running too slow. Running hotter or faster to drop your ABV is going to drag tails into your hearts. Varying the abv of your still charge will vary your abv at the condenser, but if you are varying the abv of your still charge by cutting it with water you aren't really changing the ratio ...
by Hack
Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:53 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Software wanted
Replies: 15
Views: 1425

Re: Software wanted

Open Office is THE way to go. I've been using it for the last six years. It keeps getting better, it's free, and upgrades are free. I can't say enough about it.
by Hack
Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:53 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Old Wash
Replies: 3
Views: 766

Re: Old Wash

Yes, a wash left open to air will preferentially evaporate alcohol, as will your finished spirits. There are much better ways to make your cuts than by volume, so you might benefit from recombining everything and rerunning it. Take a look around the forums and I'm sure you'll find a sticky on making...
by Hack
Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:49 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Trumpet Making Video = Still Building Tips
Replies: 24
Views: 3290

Re: Trumpet Making Video = Still Building Tips

I bet the -49 degrees is used to freeze more quickly. Unless the soap lowers the freezing point that much.
by Hack
Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:40 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Trumpet Making Video = Still Building Tips
Replies: 24
Views: 3290

Trumpet Making Video = Still Building Tips

I haven't been on in awhile, life's been keeping me busy with other things. One of those things is playing trumpet. I got curious about how they were made and found this video on youtube. While I was watching I realized there were all kinds of ideas that could be borrowed for still building. It seem...
by Hack
Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:14 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Absurd use for a keg!
Replies: 21
Views: 2248

Re: Absurd use for a keg!

finally found me a pony Keg today... it is being shipped, boy I need it. I tried a spirit run today with my new bok and had so many leaks in my damn boiler that I think I lost most of my alcohol. I looked down and around the edge of the lid was a blue fire. It looked like a damn refinery... I shut ...
by Hack
Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:27 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Heads or Tails?
Replies: 4
Views: 1449

Re: Heads or Tails?

In the end it's all up to you, but I do agree with where you are heading with it. I like to be real careful with my heads cut and will include some of the early tails. I'm still experimenting with how much of the tails. On my last run I excluded all tails. I also think the tails cut is much more for...
by Hack
Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:21 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper?
Replies: 624
Views: 265279

Re: Thumper?

If you think about it, aren't all thumpers in-line? :ewink:
by Hack
Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:09 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: SS vs Copper?
Replies: 2
Views: 629

Re: SS vs Copper?

13 gallons is a fine size. Using a 15 gallon beer keg for a boiler is very common. Where you want to have copper is somewhere along the vapor path. Like olddog said it helps remove sulfur compunds from the vapor. And copper is definately easier to work with than stainless.
by Hack
Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:51 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Starch Conversion trouble
Replies: 13
Views: 1935

Re: Starch Conversion trouble

Your post makes it sound like you cooled to 154 after adding the malt. That can kill your enzymes. The temp will drop some when you add the malt. The neat trick is to cool it to some temperature before you add the malt so that the temp drop from adding the malt puts you right around 154.
by Hack
Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:56 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: You know you are a Shiner when…
Replies: 365
Views: 48099

Re: You know you are a Shiner when…

When you see the abbreviation HD and the first thing that comes to mind is Home Distiller instead of High Definition, or Harley Davidson.
by Hack
Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:59 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: UJSM - spirit run - what is the optimal power setting?
Replies: 3
Views: 1257

Re: UJSM - spirit run - what is the optimal power setting?

It really depends on your still, I can collect a gallon an hour on a spirit run but I prefer to run it a little slower. I guess try it at 1400. If you don't like it, redistill it. The best thing would be to wait until you finish your controller.
by Hack
Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:57 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: UJSM Backset
Replies: 14
Views: 2817

Re: UJSM Backset

I've been using my wine hydrometer. I've also tried several different yeast, Lalvin 1118, redstar bakers yeast, distillers yeast. The yeast seems not to make a big difference. I do have well water that is harder than a sixteen year old on a date. I've had one mash that worked exceptional, but I'm a...
by Hack
Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:27 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation
Replies: 19
Views: 11194

Re: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation

...it could have a accumulating effect over time, as sodium does not git used by the yeast nor vaporised when distilled... The cumulative effect is something I've been concerned about as well. ... some say it adds flavor Iv never found that to be true... I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed ...
by Hack
Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:20 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation
Replies: 19
Views: 11194

Re: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation

I'm not saying it wont work. I'm saying there are better alternatives. like calcium carbonate witch is also cheep and yeast like it. For me it's that I've been using baking soda because it's what I had and I was just wondering if I was going to be causing myself trouble by doing so. Ideally my goal...
by Hack
Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:13 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: UJSM Backset
Replies: 14
Views: 2817

UJSM Backset

Most of the time with my UJSM I've used no or very little backset, because I've had trouble with it sending the pH too acidic, but for the current series I've been adding about 20% backset and adjusting the pH with baking soda, because I wanted to see what the difference would be. The thing is this ...
by Hack
Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:50 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation
Replies: 19
Views: 11194

Re: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation

And about the making of ammonia, in your striping run?? I've read that as long as the wash is still acidic, pH less than seven, there should be no problems with producing ammonia. I've been using it to bring the pH up to around 4.5 - 5 and then fermenting which would drop it again. So far no proble...
by Hack
Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:12 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper?
Replies: 624
Views: 265279

Re: Thumper?

My guess is it wouldn't make much difference which way you go with it.
by Hack
Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:37 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation
Replies: 19
Views: 11194

Re: Using baking soda to accelerate fermentation

I've been using baking soda to raise the pH on my UJSM because with my water if I add any backset it drops the pH too low. They seem to ferment and distill just fine.

Dnderhead, I'll look for some potassium bicarbonate and see how that works.
by Hack
Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:47 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Sour mash recipe question
Replies: 1
Views: 1428

Re: Sour mash recipe question

By definition UJSM isn't a true whiskey because it has sugar added. In UJSM the corn adds flavor and the alcohol comes from the sugar. So the big boys are doing a conversion like you are. Adding the backset from your previous mash to the new one is what makes it a sourmash. Most bourbons are some co...
by Hack
Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:57 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: building a new traditional Pot Still what size would you do
Replies: 16
Views: 3468

Re: building a new traditional Pot Still what size would you do

I'm pretty happy with a my 15 gallon keg boiler as far as size goes and would recommend building something in that range.
by Hack
Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:48 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Wash stalling again...
Replies: 18
Views: 3483

Re: Wash stalling again...

Ok, I thought you were saying the mash was 7.2. That's a pretty decent starting pH for your well water. Try testing the pH of the mash when you are ready to pitch the yeast. At my old house the tap water had a pH of 7. By the time I'd mix up a batch of UJSM it dropped to six. I'd add lemon juice to ...
by Hack
Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:52 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Wash stalling again...
Replies: 18
Views: 3483

Re: Wash stalling again...

It's interesting that baking soda did the trick when you already had a pH of 7.2. The baking soda is a base and should have pushed the mash higher and further from the ideal range. I'm wondering if maybe your pH reading was a bit off.
by Hack
Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:34 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: bad smell to sweet feed mash
Replies: 11
Views: 3887

Re: bad smell to sweet feed mash

I'd say if the smell isn't overpowering, I'd wait and see what you get when it's distilled, but if it gets to the point where you prefer the smell of Bulldog farts over your wash it may be time to toss it out. You could even write that last bit down as a hard and fast rule of thumb. :D
by Hack
Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:33 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: serious mash cooling
Replies: 16
Views: 2698

Re: serious mash cooling

Fermenting off the grain just means you strain out the grains before you ferment, like when you make beer. There are those that beleive this gives a better flavor, it's really just a matter of preferance. On the practical side, fermenting off the grain saves fermenter space because you don't need sp...