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I'm sure this has been asked over and over again. But I have 2 questions...1. Are the 1st 100-200 ml.that you throw away considered the "heads"or are the heads the hooch that comes afterward. 2. which part of the run is the very best.

check mcmaster.com look at their dimmer switches. My 600w from still drinkin burnt up in 2 runs (may they burn in hell). But it gave me the idea to build a good one with stainess fittings etc. mcmaster.com will replace what you need and I havent had a single problem since I have a 1000 watt dimmer b...

macmaster.com has several heating element sizes and dimmer switches you can use for a boiler control. I have a keg w/a 2000 watt preheater on the upper part,of the keg its plugged directly into the wall until your up to temp. Then on lower element I have a 1500watt running through a 1000 watt dimmer...

Thanks guys it's running fine 1 gal out already at 170 proof. I am going to try some different wash/mash next to compare to the turbo/sugar.
Thanks again.

Just an update I started running it today and it's starting out at 160 proof... I dont understand.

Last week I started a 15 gal wash with 40 lbs sugar and 2 packs turbo yeast.I know most of you aren't fans of turbo but I just havent moved on yet. Anyway, like I said I did this over a week ago. the first 2-3 days it bubbled like crazy the it gradually slowed down but was still going pretty steady ...

get a 2"SS half coupler from McMaster Carr and tig weld (or have it done) to th lop.This works great if you put a drain in the bottom for cleaning.
The coupler is less than $30 I'm not sure about the tri clamp. I've got both but I Prefer the uncut one...Just my opinion

how much flechmans yeast do you need per 1 gallon of wash?

You got it about all right...15.5gal wash, 20%, 180 proof for about 1 gal, 160 proof for 1 gal and 120-140at the end I run it all through the carbon and if I see any oil at all I throw it away and stop my run. Am I on the right track?

I have a 15.5 electric keg still. I normally use 40-50lbs sugar and the turbo yeast(I know not everybody likes this wash but I'm new and it works for me until I get ready to move on to something else.) My question is how many gallons should I be getting from this amount. After about 3 gallons my tem...

Thanks Tater
I understand the glass being a safty issue, but for sake of understanding , lets say the thumper was copper does one have to empty it every so often, or just let its contents run down into the condenser into your finished product? Thanks

I have a 15 gal electric keg still that has a glass thumper in front of the condenser.my question is as the the thumper fills from the boiler and slowly rises should I keep dumping it off except for just enough to cover my boiler pipe or am I supposed to let it fill and dump into my condenser. Thank...

I have read many replies and stiildidn't an answer.doI the jar spill over into the finished product or emty the jar beforeit reaches the condenser tube? (I quess I wan't to know if I just want the vapors from the jar or is it ok if the liquid is ok.Its a sugar and turbo yeast wash sothere is no soli...

I need an answer today get if possible.I getting ready to run 15 gal. I have a beer keg still and I'm using a 1 gal pickle jar as a thumper. Question: do I let the product fill the thumper and run down the condenser or do I keep empting the hooch before the hooch reaches the top and use the thumper ...

I built one becuse of the ease and everyone was praising a reflux still (I should have done a little more research). My pot still does fine what will this do different?

I've been using a pot still with pretty good luck so far. So I got the bug to build another one so I was reading the parent site the other day and it directed me to plans to build a world class still. I chose to build the CM Relux instead of the Valved one and I can't find anything written good abou...

It didn't take too much juice to get me in the 5's...Thanks guys.

I'm doing a quick sugar wash W/tubo yeast in a 15 gal keg. The tubo says not to use hard water but I've never had any trouble with that, has anhyone else? my PH is aways in the 7's after I added 40lbs of sugar It jumped past 8 I was told by a brewshop to add citric acid to bring it down in the 5's. ...

I think I've got the heads figured out but I'm having trouble figuring out when the run is over. I know there is lots of info written about this subject but I need someone to spell it out in english,ABC,123. I have tried the "oily thumbnail trick" It still feels the same as in begining. I ...

I have just the man. He is a professional welder/fabricator certified for stainless steel as well as many other things he helped me fix my still II bought from the "crooks". Now he is interested in this hobby we already have 3 kegs and are ready to start. I have pictures of his work. He bu...

I'm not a electician but wouldn't a 600w light dimmer switch be to small for a 3000w heating element. I have been able to find a 1000w dimmer switch but don't want to spend the $40.00 if it will not work. I have a metal box mounted to the side of the keg...I found baseboard heater thermostats that a...

Well it was bound to happen...My revamped stilldrinkin.com still that I rebuilt I overlooked the heating element controller. I noticed that it had been getting too hot to touch the metal box it was mounted in. Well today the 6oo watt dimmer switch which controls the 2000 watt elements melted. I'm go...

I just finished making one out of a 5gal carny(soda pop) keg.I have a mason jar one and you really got to keep your eye on it so it doesn't overfill I figure with this I can run my 15 gal keg and not have to empty it. The carny makes a good condenser too just run your pipe or coil (if you can get it...

I would like to thank the guys at still drinkin...Now I know how to build a still. My neighbor is an expert welder fabricator and promissed to help me build one but I had the distillation fever and had to have a still NOW!!! I was "lucky" enough to spend almost $500.00 to get one. Well aft...