Home Distiller

Hi All, After winding my coil (double helix) I carefully opened it a little using a flat bladed screwdriver. Overall it increased the length of the condenser by about 30%. I believe the vapour needs a fairly open pathway to circulate fully around the condenser to gain maximum effect. Cheers, OldStormy

Hi All,
I had my metal basher weld in a flat s/s plate approx 8" x 3" near the bottom of my keg into which two 1" holes are drilled to take my two elements. The flat plate allows me to keep both elements as low as possible without touching. Photos soon.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All,
Just a suggestion re the possible chanelling. Make sure your column is fully vertical. If it is askew you will get channeling even though your return might be starting in the middle of the packing. Vapour up the high side, reflux down the low side.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Grant,
A lot more surface area in the copper scrubbers than the marbles, which rate pretty low on the packing totem.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Sub,
That is looking good. If you are having trouble finding a brass needle valve and end fittings try a hydraulic hose and fittings shop or Blackwoods. On the gold Coast I found the bits at the local hydraulic shop and they are much cheaper than Blackwoods.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Wizkey,
Thanks for that. Looks good and is a few bucks cheaper than one I can get in Oz in kit form or substantially cheaper than a similar cased item complete.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All, An interesting little snippet re plastic containers for info only, not trying to start a war. FEATURES - HEALTH & SCIENCE Mar 14, 2006 Bottled mineral water could be deadly Monday March 13 2006 15:16 IST IANS LONDON: Mineral water stored for long in plastic containers could be deadly, sa...

Hi Tec,
Perhaps you have a 'BSP' thread which I understand to be 'British Standard Plumbing' which is a slightly coarser pitch than your pipe threads. Is it a Pommy element or a US one?
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All, You guys that want to use Aluminium and plastic etc, go for it. it is supposedly a 'free' world. I will happily stay in my tried and tested world of stainless steel, glass and copper. What I can't understand is why you bother to come on this great informative forum where advice is freely giv...

Hi Tater,
It was not my question but I almost wish it had been. That was a great educational response. I have actually printed it off and put it in a folder with other notes. Thanks mate.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Tec, I have no problem telling them (salesmen, metal fabricators or whatever)what I am doing. They mostly become very interested and helpful when you do so. The metal bashers etc aren't interested in the end use really other than to usually say I must give them a taste of my brew one day. Where I...

Hi Tec, I'm in Oz and I was able to go to my local plumbers supply store and buy 1" bsp thread brass nuts which I am having brazed to the side of my keg. Surely your bigger plumber supply stores or hot water slystem repair shops can help you out. What about the actual element manufacturers. Not...

Hi All,
As I understand it, Yeast multiplies faster than rabbits if the temperature is in the germinating range and there is sufficient nutrients to nourish it.
Starting with a little will take a little longer than starting with a lot but should still get the job done.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Peachey, If you want stainless steel it is easy. Contact your local Amway distributor and order some 'scrub buds'. I am not a rep for Amway coz they give me a dose of the screamin' whatever but their s/s scrub buds would be ideal and I know Amway is in NZ. Just look in the phone book or on the ne...

Hi Linw & All,
My initial wort will be a simple 20lt sugar wash so stirring may not be necessary. Down the track I may need to stir with other worts in use.
Thanks for the input.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Possum,
Some real 'pretty' pictures there. Jealousy is a curse but on this occasion I am jealous. Talk about a kid in a lolly shop!
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All, From reading the site it appears that for best results (1) the fermenter should stay sealed throughout fermentation by using an airlock, and (2) the wort should be stirred during fermentation. My idea for comment is a s/s egg whisk on a s/s tube handle fitted into the fermenter through the l...

Hi J_dawg,
Try fixing a wire brush to a broom handle or length of conduit. May be of some help.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All, Remember, a restaurant is dealing with water and foodstuffs for which the aluminium is supposedly OK (Altzheimers ???). With distilling we are dealing with Ethenol and other very volatile product which could attack aluminium. I am sure enough has been posted under many past threads to steer ...

Hi Linw,
Nice set of pictures. My still should be completed this week ready for steaming and a first run next weekend.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Wizkey,
Could you provide the specs for your voltage controller and $ please.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi crackher,
Have you tried an everyday wine bottle cork?
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Lindsay,
Thanks mate. I thought it would be OK but wanted to check before I outlay the $ - quite a lot of $ in fact.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Attention all Aussies, Have any of you found an Oz supplier for copper mesh and if so some contact details please. Would prefer to use rolled mesh in lieu of pot scrubbers but if needs must, in they go. Hi Workerbee, I have contacted Brewhaus and am waiting to find out freight cost - thanks. Cheers,...

Hi All, I know there was discussion recently regarding heating elements but I have gone cross eyed trying to find it again. Please bear with me. Is an element made of 'Incoloy 800' suitable? By all accounts it should be but I would like to hear from those in the know. I am looking at 2 screw in elem...

Hi All,
Even though I am in the land of Oz, the day prohibition was repealed sounds like as good a date as any as long as we remember we are celebrating 'Worldwide Home distillers Day'
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Crackher,
I trust you mean stainless steel, not mild steel that rusts etc. I don't think there is much place for mild steel in a still. Other than that, what Decoy said.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi All,
Gold Coast for me. Just about got my first still ready to run.
Cheers,
OldStormy

Hi Spiritmaker, South-East eh! Not Katrina country I hope. I can't imagine a 1000w x 240v element should be all that hard to get hold of in the US, but pretty easy in Oz as our standard wiring is 240v. If you become desperate I can probably assist. Leave me a message if needs be. Your brother has th...

Hi Cellsitegod, I scrounged a great s/s saucepan lid to use as my column base to my keg. I drew a circle around the lid style, cut out the keg and the lid fits in snugly. Place a cork gasket around the cutout and a couple of tension bars over the lid and under the keg rims and a perfect seal. The sa...