Search found 2420 matches

by Hawke
Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:47 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: simple no-sugar corn likker ?
Replies: 8
Views: 4945

Re: simple no-sugar corn likker ?

When you start adding barley and/or rye, it becomes Bourbon or Tennessee Whiskey. (depending on the barrel used for aging.)
by Hawke
Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:38 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: ideas for sankey pot still
Replies: 3
Views: 1094

Re: ideas for sankey pot still

You don't need to cut the top. You could have a couple of 1 inch 1/2 couplings welded onto the keg to accomodate heating elements.
Also, trying to keep a wash at a certain temperature is like a dog chasing it's tail. You might catch it once in a while, but what have you gained?
by Hawke
Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:08 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Why bigger cooling coil and reduced water flow?
Replies: 9
Views: 1195

Re: Why bigger cooling coil and reduced water flow?

Just a matter of economics. If you can knock down vapor at .5 litres per hour, instead of 5 litres an hour water flow, you have saved several dollars for the run.
Really not important for me, I'm on a private well. I just run out and move my discharge hose around the yard :wink:
by Hawke
Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:04 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Suitable activated carbon
Replies: 3
Views: 772

Re: Suitable activated carbon

I've never had a need for carbon myself, so I can't answer the question.
Proper cuts saves you a lot of time.
by Hawke
Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:00 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What exactly is dunder?
Replies: 47
Views: 16774

Re: What exactly is dunder?

Dunder is backset from a molasses rum wash.
by Hawke
Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:54 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: my still, my condenser, my sealant
Replies: 10
Views: 14014

Re: my still, my condenser, my sealant

Yes, it's 1/4".
If it was mine, I would move up to 1/2" minimum. It would cut run times by about 6x.
Instead of a vertical 1/4" grahm, I'd run a 1/2" Liebeg at about 20* angle.
by Hawke
Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:12 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Start and Stop???
Replies: 2
Views: 672

Re: Start and Stop???

Yes, it will be ok. If I stop a run, I will usually pull another 40ml or so as forshots, on restart.
by Hawke
Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:05 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Long run times?
Replies: 6
Views: 1043

Re: Long run times?

Some turkey fryers are only about 20,000 BTU's. Mine is a 60,000 BTU Camp Chef unit. It will heat 12 gallons of 8 to 10% in about 45 minutes. (Although, I have used it for a couple of 14 hour runs on a reflux rig) Best to have a simple potstill for stripping runs, then run the low wines, adjusted to...
by Hawke
Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:31 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How to age real high proof with oak.
Replies: 31
Views: 3805

Re: How to age real high proof with oak.

The higher the proof, the more bitter oils will be pulled out of the wood.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:28 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Turbulator questions
Replies: 10
Views: 2682

Re: Turbulator questions

My 4" long, 180* twisted ribbon, cut water consumption by about 30%. A bit of mesh stuffed in the output end helped as well.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:21 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Sweet? smell
Replies: 6
Views: 1466

Re: Sweet? smell

Do you use plastic in your still, or for collection?
by Hawke
Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:17 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: We're back up
Replies: 19
Views: 2011

Re: We're back up

Came here after an update, thought it had messed up my end. Whew!
Got a new distillery going in about 20 miles from home. Be a year before they are ready for final permits. I might need to put in an app for grunt man. :roll:
by Hawke
Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:04 pm
Forum: Materials Safety
Topic: Plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar
Replies: 17
Views: 4561

Re: Plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar

Acrylic is just as bad as polystyrine, when it comes to higher proof alcohol.
I haven't found the glass test cyliders to be that expensive anyway. Just can't drop 'em.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:54 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Nice new parrot, hard at work!
Replies: 23
Views: 3217

Re: Nice new parrot, hard at work!

I've found most proof hydro's to be either 1/2" or 5/8" diameter bulbs. It's best to have the proofer on hand before choosing between 3/4 and 1" pipe. You want to keep the spirit quantity as low as possible for a more acurate 'at this moment' reading, but too tight and the thing will ...
by Hawke
Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:58 am
Forum: Materials Safety
Topic: Plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar
Replies: 17
Views: 4561

Re: Plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar

heynonny wrote:My plastic one from brewing didnt melt, it crazed, (like what window glass looks when broken), then it was like a sieve, the prod. began to squirt out through the cracks. All in a very short time. -ney-
This is what I found as well.
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:56 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Tri clamp question
Replies: 12
Views: 1607

Re: Tri clamp question

Which gasket do you have?
If it has the ridge on both sides, one of them needs to be flattened for it to seat correctly on the keg.
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:02 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: VM head ruff draft
Replies: 50
Views: 5590

Re: VM head ruff draft

To detune a VM remove most of the packing and replace the reflux condenser with a cap. Open the takeoff valve fully, and you have a potstill.
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:58 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: VM head ruff draft
Replies: 50
Views: 5590

Re: VM head ruff draft

It seems to be the 'gateway to freedom' that determines min. reflux. Use a 2x2x2 T, then a 2x1 fitting reducer. (A fitting reducer is the same diameter as the larger pipe and goes inside the T or couple, instead of using a pipe stub.) This will keep your condencer closer to the column, keeping the c...
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:39 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: problem: bokakob water test
Replies: 14
Views: 2399

Re: problem: bokakob water test

Yes, my 3" version produced less than 1/2 the volume of water vs spirit.
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:33 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Cop-porn for you who are interested.
Replies: 16
Views: 3361

Re: Cop-porn for you who are interested.

I see in your coil tests that you are running the water down the coldfinger and up the coil. During operation, this should be reversed. On my 3" version I used a plate spacing of approx 1" and 30* slant. As long as the gap is large enough that the liquid in the collector can't reach the to...
by Hawke
Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:12 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: First still idea
Replies: 4
Views: 994

Re: First still idea

I have some UJSSM wash that has been resting since the end of October. Finally above freezing here, so hope to run it tomorrow.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:54 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: OK, I am stumped re: proof change!
Replies: 8
Views: 1310

Re: OK, I am stumped re: proof change!

I used to drive long haul trucks, when hauling Orange soda or Mt. Dew, the sugar content cut the number of cases I could haul by about 20%, compared to Pepsi or Coke.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:48 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: OK, I am stumped re: proof change!
Replies: 8
Views: 1310

Re: OK, I am stumped re: proof change!

Anything other than ethanol will skew the readings of a proof hydro. It only takes a small amount of unfermented sugars to skew the readings. (sugar adds both volume and density to a finished product)
by Hawke
Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:12 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Copper sheet source in NC found
Replies: 1
Views: 2713

Re: Copper sheet source in NC found

Yes Storm has good prices.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:07 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Is it in the 5% or the 95%
Replies: 13
Views: 2456

Re: Is it in the 5% or the 95%

You are correct there. Methanol has a lower density than ethanol, so a hydrometer would not give an accurate reading for a mixed sample. a stilled sample would not be a 50/50 mix.
by Hawke
Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:46 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: First still idea
Replies: 4
Views: 994

Re: First still idea

3000ml is way to small for a boiler. You would only be able to charge it with 2L of wash. A 10% wash would contain 200ml of alcohol. (250ml of 75%) Out of that you need to make proper cuts, maybe 2/5 will be drinkable. (100ml) I think playing with this size rig will just frustrate you, to the point ...
by Hawke
Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:13 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: new vm still need mucho helpo
Replies: 6
Views: 1144

Re: new vm still need mucho helpo

If you don't have a Lowe's or Home Depot that sells larger copper, try St. Patrick's online.
by Hawke
Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:29 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Wash stalling again...
Replies: 18
Views: 3483

Re: Wash stalling again...

I just use my sprayer option on my kitchen tap.
by Hawke
Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:22 am
Forum: History and Folklore
Topic: Expensive booze
Replies: 22
Views: 7304

Re: Expensive booze

I haven't found a single bottle of wine that I would pay more than $5.00 for. Just not my taste. Would love to try some of the high dollar whiskey or Scotch, but somebody else would have to pay for it. :lol: :lol:
by Hawke
Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:11 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: first still
Replies: 9
Views: 2030

Re: first still

I use Photobucket, then just copy and paste the 'image' code.