Search found 46 matches

by RJB510
Mon May 17, 2021 2:46 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Medicine taste in stilled rum
Replies: 39
Views: 3868

Re: Medicine taste in stilled rum

Medicinal taste from heavy peated whisky is familiar because of the phenols from the peat. I've had that happen before, it was actually more pronounced when adding liquid peat smoke opposed to heavy peated grain. But it mellowed after a short while. In terms of this rum, I actually shut the run down...
by RJB510
Sat May 15, 2021 1:44 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Medicine taste in stilled rum
Replies: 39
Views: 3868

Re: Medicine taste in stilled rum

RJB , maybe you are right ... its from infected Dunder . Infection seems to be a common theme . Yeah I think so too. I'm guessing that you've had some failed batches also? I'm keen to hear what you think in terms of tastes and if they have subdued with age? I've always added straight backset but de...
by RJB510
Sat May 15, 2021 12:13 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Medicine taste in stilled rum
Replies: 39
Views: 3868

Re: Medicine taste in stilled rum

Yep, I just got this on a rum I did today. Not quite 'medicinal', but it leaves this lingering, stale, bandaid type taste in the mouth that i'm struggling to put my finger on. It doesn't seem to disappear off the palate. The initial forward facing rum flavours are quite nice, even straight off the s...
by RJB510
Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:00 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Reflux And Tails
Replies: 29
Views: 3013

Re: Reflux And Tails

Digging this back up because i can offer some advice on this. I use a LM still and charge the boiler with a clean wash. I.e. the sediment has settled out. I add about 3-5 scrubbers in the column and bring the still to temp. Once there, i drop the power back to about half and go to full reflux and st...
by RJB510
Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:45 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Who are the Aussies here?
Replies: 148
Views: 34760

Re: Who are the Aussies here?

Welcome. A nice revival of this thread! Maybe some more Aussies are lurking around in the site somewhere not game enough to speak up?
by RJB510
Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:16 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: strawberry panty-dropper
Replies: 747
Views: 278146

Re: strawberry panty-dropper

I use fresh strawberries and freeze them. Then measure out say 500ml of 80% and add that to the strawberries with sugar. I let it macerate, Then i pour off the excess for a couple of days and measure what I have left. I then add the required water to bring it to 40% drinking. So if I start with 500m...
by RJB510
Wed Dec 15, 2010 11:33 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)
Replies: 8
Views: 2393

Re: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)

I have a mini POt still currently. Its great for smaller batches of spirits. I'll have to look into the needle valves, but seriously, the ball valves work great as well. So really it might not be worth the expense straight away. Last time I got my stuff i went to Enzed, and they wanted about $100 a ...
by RJB510
Wed Dec 15, 2010 2:24 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)
Replies: 8
Views: 2393

Re: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)

Yeah. I think that my boiler was the BIGGEST issue that I had. I tried looking into building a voltage controller for the element, but it all became too problematic with getting parts in Australia. I'll have to take another look into it however. The 12L boiler has now been chopped up and disposed of...
by RJB510
Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:15 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)
Replies: 8
Views: 2393

Re: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)

Yeah, i get the reflux ratio. My problem is that when i get that 3:1 ratio, if its running too hot (which happens with the element and boiler combo) the distillate won't drain back into the main column fast enough compared to the take off rate. So it will pool up. I was thinking of increasing the si...
by RJB510
Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:47 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)
Replies: 8
Views: 2393

RB's Offset Reflux Still (Aus)

Hi Guy's. I'm sort of new to this forum, although i've been a member here for a short while. I have just got back into distilling due to the festive season, and after looking at other people's stills on here, and then looking at my own, I think its time I improve mine a bit. This the the first still...
by RJB510
Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:21 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Stills of Oz
Replies: 27
Views: 5737

Re: Stills of Oz

More Pics!!!

... and plans. That thing looks amazing. Its made me want to make a new still now.
by RJB510
Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:08 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: strawberry panty-dropper
Replies: 747
Views: 278146

Re: strawberry panty-dropper

Yes on both. I'm just trying to think of alternatives that would work equally as well. Even if it does yield a different taste. I wanted to know if there were worthwhile results before I waste some of the limmoncello i've made on an idea that doesn't work. Maybe i'll try it anyway, and just report b...
by RJB510
Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:34 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: strawberry panty-dropper
Replies: 747
Views: 278146

Re: strawberry panty-dropper

Has anyone tried making this with Limmoncello as the base instead of neutral?
by RJB510
Thu May 07, 2009 12:51 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: strawberry panty-dropper
Replies: 747
Views: 278146

Re: strawberry panty-dropper

There is now only one thing missing to make these directions complete... What were the quantities of berries to alcohol placed in the jars... Eg. 500g Berries to 1L of 40% alcohol. I mean. If you want to get technical, the size of the jars would vary. As would the amount of alcohol per berry ratio. ...
by RJB510
Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:04 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

I haven't. But judging by what it sounds like, its not to dissimilar to extracting the fruit flavour yourself, or, similar to mixing a neutral spirit with a bottle of essence from the local brew shop, 1-4 oz isn't a lot for 5 gal. Although, it looks like this type is more natural as it is extracted ...
by RJB510
Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:33 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

One question i do have tho. When you double pot still a run to increase the purity, you are left with the same concentration of flavour, but just with a higher concentration of alcohol. Correct? So if you wanted to dilute it down to drinking proof, then wouldn't you dilute the flavour also, so it d...
by RJB510
Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:24 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

Well my biggest issue now is working how long to leave it to extract as much flavour as i can. but i assume that there will be a point where i will reach diminishing returns. So i Figure, because they were frozen berries that i blended into a pulp, i'll leave them for 3 weeks, then distill it. I fig...
by RJB510
Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:47 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

Sweet, well i'm trying a small batch now as a trial and error sort of run. Blended strawberry's in normal neutral at a ratio of 50/50 Berries to Spirit. I'll leave it for 2 weeks to mature, then i'll run it through the still. I'll let you know how i go, then i'll try it with a White rum. Then as a w...
by RJB510
Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:52 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

Who were you replying to then Tater? I was always going to make it out of the same fruit, might be able to mix and match berries, but always better to make fruit liqueurs separately then combine it later if desired, that would yield more accurate results and flavours i imagine. My assumption to my p...
by RJB510
Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:16 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Strawberry Wash
Replies: 18
Views: 7408

Re: Strawberry Wash

Dunno what that recipe was that you were talking about. But figured that this was more recipe development rather than clogging useless space on a Tried and True recipe. Anyway, referring to the Strawberry Panty-Dropper (SPD), I was wondering if anyone has tried it similar to taters peach or blueberr...
by RJB510
Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:46 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: There are books on distilling by an Australian author!
Replies: 8
Views: 2750

Re: There are books on distilling by an Australian author!

Got a scanner??? hehe,

I might need to make a stop at my local brew shop, see if they have one too.

Is it really worth it? do they give you tips and recipe's that you wouldn't get from this site? Or whats the deal?
by RJB510
Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:36 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Who are the Aussies here?
Replies: 148
Views: 34760

Re: Who are the Aussies here?

Ok, this is half on topic, and half off. But who are the Aussies on here who have made their own voltage adjusters for controlling temperature on an electric boiler? I have some issues making one and wouldn't mind pm'ing some of you to see if you have some idea's or schematics or parts list and wher...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:45 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Column heights.
Replies: 16
Views: 3663

Re: Column heights.

I only have 1M of height to play with, i can get probably a max of 80% of that or 800mm in packing, i can only pack it in tighter, thats all. It might actually explain a few of my issues however, I have a 2400W element in a 12L boiler with a column height of 1m, 2" wide. I have packing up to th...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:11 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Column heights.
Replies: 16
Views: 3663

Re: Column heights.

Thanks fella's, i had an idea about the boiling points but it was good to have it cleared up. I'm assuming that as much packing as i can wont matter with the cuts either if it is above the return line? Ie. It shouldn't affect the boiling points, as if it is being refluxed it will just rise higher fa...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:06 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Popularity for reflex stills
Replies: 34
Views: 5417

Re: Popularity for reflex stills

Yeah, i'll agree with that too, I started with my Reflux still and Just the other day decided i wanted a pot still, So made myself a mini one out of a 5L boiler and some copper. Cost me around $50 i think. Just trying to work out the best small batch of flavoured wash to try and run through it? But ...
by RJB510
Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:51 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Popularity for reflex stills
Replies: 34
Views: 5417

Re: Popularity for reflex stills

I tend to agree with Ugly earlier on. I have a offset valved reflux that i use as a pot still. I take out the packing and run no reflux. And after some advice on this site, I have worked out two reasonably efficient ways to do both. 1. Cap the top where the coil would be normally and force the steam...
by RJB510
Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:38 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Column heights.
Replies: 16
Views: 3663

Re: Column heights.

Short of hijacking the thread... I have a 1m or 39-40" (approx) column, now i've read that the packing should be below the return line for the reflux valve. This limits me to 600mm of packing normally, i have ran this a few times and its been relatively fine, but i struggle to get a really real...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:52 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Soldering 2" copper with propane
Replies: 23
Views: 18120

Re: Soldering 2" copper with propane

Yeah, i find it very ironic that i work in hardware, know how to solder normal copper joints to tell other people what to do. Yet... I find that most of our coils of solder still contain a bit of lead (I think), and I was using brazing rods that were advertised as silver solder to avoid that... Don'...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:33 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Soldering 2" copper with propane
Replies: 23
Views: 18120

Re: Soldering 2" copper with propane

Well that'd explain my frustration, I managed to get it on 1/4" pipe, but nothing bigger because thats all i could get to heat up so it was red hot. So i got silver solder rods that are brazing rods, because i know every other "silver Solder" as in normal copper connections usually ha...
by RJB510
Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:20 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Soldering 2" copper with propane
Replies: 23
Views: 18120

Re: Soldering 2" copper with propane

Well then something is wrong, because my solder isn't even melting unless the metal is cherry red. Maybe i have brazing rods and they were just labeled wrong and i am trying to braze the metal together? I'm not using soft solder such as 50/50 like is used on normal plumming connections. This is the ...