Search found 5757 matches

by S-Cackalacky
Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:32 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: DIY condenser/Liebig question
Replies: 26
Views: 2232

Re: DIY condenser/Liebig question

The crimp marks also need to be in the vertical position when the condenser is assembled and in use......horizontal crimps will or can lead to pooling and smearing. Just now saw this and have no idea what you're trying to describe. I use vice grip pliers to make the crimps. I position the pliers pe...
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Sep 09, 2021 7:40 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Conversion to electric
Replies: 12
Views: 1469

Re: Conversion to electric

NZChris wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:19 pm Place the elements as low as possible in the boiler so that you don't get caught out when you want to run a small charge.
Good point! And, also be sure that you have charged your boiler before firing up the element. A dry element will burn out quickly.
by S-Cackalacky
Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:43 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Conversion to electric
Replies: 12
Views: 1469

Re: Conversion to electric

From your profile, looks like you're from Canada. I'll assume that your electrical system is the same as in the US, idk. If so, I would recommend 2 phase 240V 30A electrical service - I use my dryer receptacle. For hardware, you will need: - Water heater element - up to 5500W, wavy ULWD. - Hardware ...
by S-Cackalacky
Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:37 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Modular build
Replies: 34
Views: 2492

Re: Modular build

Instead of pads for the ends of the legs, think casters (wheels).
by S-Cackalacky
Sun Aug 29, 2021 3:59 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: DIY condenser/Liebig question
Replies: 26
Views: 2232

Re: DIY condenser/Liebig question

I've made two liebig condensers. I crimped the vapor tube in both cases. One was a 1" PVC jacket with 1/2" copper vapor tube. The second was pretty much the same, but with a 1" copper jacket over 1/2" copper vapor tube. The jacket length of both was about 28". Crimping is sa...
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Aug 26, 2021 5:23 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: uncle jesse's simple sour mash method
Replies: 4778
Views: 1052424

Re: uncle jesse's simple sour mash method

Also, no need to read this entire thread for info about the recipe. There's a condensed version here - https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=50167 . It's only 3 pages. It has all the repetitive post and good job type posts edited out. Best just to read that thread for a good overv...
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Aug 26, 2021 4:46 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What non-grain ingredients have enough sugar/starch to use without adding extra sugar?
Replies: 23
Views: 1610

Re: What non-grain ingredients have enough sugar/starch to use without adding extra sugar?

You can check the brix with a refractometer. Check for starch with a drop of iodine.
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Aug 19, 2021 3:11 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Thumper charging
Replies: 1
Views: 441

Re: Thumper charging

I use it to steam distill my gin macerations. I put the strained maceration into the thumper and charge the boiler with plain water. I run the takeoff into a 1/2 gallon (or gallon) jug with an alcometer in it and let it run until I reach my target ABV, usually 45%. I don't have to worry about scorch...
by S-Cackalacky
Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:04 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Uncle Remus Rice Vodka
Replies: 347
Views: 178736

Re: Uncle Remus Rice Vodka

Twice through a pot still w/thumper attached, makes a good gin base, or sippin'/mixin' "vodka".
by S-Cackalacky
Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:50 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: My first safe setup, I think.. let me know please
Replies: 22
Views: 1712

Re: My first safe setup, I think.. let me know please

If it's an alcohol fire don't use water on it. Keep progressing brotha, your gonna have the safest set up around before long pumping out some quality likker Have to disagree with that advice. Alcohol mixes with water and will bring down the ABV to the point that it is no longer combustible. Flammab...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Rapid Aging - Opinions on Outcomes?
Replies: 47
Views: 5584

Re: Rapid Aging - Opinions on Outcomes?

Seems that aging whiskey is a relative thing. Takes 3 or 4 times longer to age a barrel of whiskey in Scotland than it does to do the same in Texas. The main difference in the two locations is heat and humidity. So, why isn't it reasonable to think that you can speed up maturation by artificially co...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Fermentation temp control
Replies: 18
Views: 1552

Re: Fermentation temp control

This thread popped up just at the right time. I was just minutes ago looking at heat mats on Amazon. I ferment in my basement which stays fairly cool all year - low 70's in the summer to low 60's in the winter. I have a couple of 20 gallon fermenters, one 32 gallon, and one 55 gallon. Do you reckon ...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:14 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Word of Warning on Thumpers
Replies: 3
Views: 1153

Re: Word of Warning on Thumpers

Don't know how you have the end of your input tube vented, but that can contribute to the noise level. Try a few holes near the end. The sound is created by the collapse of the hot vapor entering the cold thumper liquid and suddenly condensing. By the time you start producing output at the takeoff, ...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:39 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How cold to run output condenser?
Replies: 15
Views: 793

Re: How cold to run output condenser?

Best to have a temp gradient of cool at the bottom to warm at the top. Icy cold can cause huffing from the vapor suddenly collapsing at the top of the condenser. Seems best to have the vapor gradually condensing as it moves down through the vapor tube(s). But, like others have said, probably not a b...
by S-Cackalacky
Sun Aug 01, 2021 6:50 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: How much $$$ do you have Invested?
Replies: 44
Views: 2552

Re: How much $$$ do you have Invested?

I have no idea. I started out on a shoestring budget. Most of the parts for my first still came from flea markets and thrift stores. First thing I ever bought for the hobby was a 5 gallon ss stock pot at a thrift store for $15. Most of the copper pipe and fittings came from a thrift store and public...
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:47 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: CCVM still first time build
Replies: 147
Views: 9764

Re: CCVM still first time build

I can understand the sense of pride you would get from building something like that. Not so much a still, but a personal treasure.
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:29 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Reflux packing?
Replies: 15
Views: 1617

Re: Reflux packing?

No one mentioned adding a packed section to a plated column for neutral spirits. I think this may be what TRK41 was alluding to in his not so well worded OP.
by S-Cackalacky
Sat Jul 24, 2021 12:22 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: mason jar lids
Replies: 299
Views: 678781

Re: mason jar lids

You might also consider stainless steel lids. https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/stainless-steel-wide-mouth-lids?variant=9091471278195 Looks like a good source. I buy similar ones from Amazon. But, be careful, some of their offerings have a coating on the inside of the lid. Read the descriptio...
by S-Cackalacky
Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:56 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What is suitable for a fermentor?
Replies: 20
Views: 1183

Re: What is suitable for a fermentor?

I found a 55 gallon blue.barrel in a car wash dumpster for free - and yes, I asked first. It previously had soap in it. Just be careful about what they previously contained. Some may have contained things like car wax or degreaser. I also have two 20 gallon "Feed and Seed" containers and a...
by S-Cackalacky
Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:16 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Temperature vs power control...does it really matter?
Replies: 40
Views: 2463

Re: Temperature vs power control...does it really matter?

If you use a diffusion plate it acts as a heat sink The hotplate has a cast-iron surface, so I reckon I'm witnessing a bit of that effect. A metal plate (heat sink) will help to somewhat mitigate the problem. A better solution might be to modify the internal wiring to eliminate (bypass) the thermos...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:43 am
Forum: Other Stilling Hardware (condensers, flanges, controllers)
Topic: How to make an everlasting PTFE gasket, Very Easily...
Replies: 41
Views: 88260

Re: How to make an everlasting PTFE gasket, Very Easily...

Someone mentioned mat board earlier. That's what I've been using for sealing the lids on my stock pot still and thumper for several years - works well. Mat board can be found in most any art frame shop. A tip - you can keep them nice and flat by storing then between two pieces of plywood clamped to...
by S-Cackalacky
Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:00 pm
Forum: Other Stilling Hardware (condensers, flanges, controllers)
Topic: How to make an everlasting PTFE gasket, Very Easily...
Replies: 41
Views: 88260

Re: How to make an everlasting PTFE gasket, Very Easily...

Someone mentioned mat board earlier. That's what I've been using for sealing the lids on my stock pot still and thumper for several years - works well. Mat board can be found in most any art frame shop. A tip - you can keep them nice and flat by storing then between two pieces of plywood clamped tog...
by S-Cackalacky
Sun Jul 18, 2021 5:52 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: I need a nudge in the right direction
Replies: 45
Views: 2627

Re: I need a nudge in the right direction

That 41" piece of 2" pipe would be just the right length for a reflux column. I would suggest looking at building a CCVM column. With a modular design, it can serve as both a pot still for brown spirits and reflux still for neutral spirits. Take your time and do some research here on the f...
by S-Cackalacky
Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:22 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: CCVM still first time build
Replies: 147
Views: 9764

Re: CCVM still first time build

I don't think it matters for the RC. The center and coils will completely fill no matter which direction it goes because of gravity. Probably doesn't matter for a Dimroth PC either, idk. Anyway, I also have a PVC ball valve on the output of both my RC and Dimroth PC so that there's some little bit o...
by S-Cackalacky
Sat Jul 17, 2021 8:20 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: CCVM hardware sizing
Replies: 22
Views: 1658

Re: CCVM hardware sizing

You might like to look through DAD300's CCVM thread - https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=41579&hilit=Ccvm+Dad300 . I remember there being some info in there somewhere about sizing a column. Length is also dependent on the type of packing you're using. Good luck with it and ...
by S-Cackalacky
Thu Jul 15, 2021 12:51 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Aging in glass how to do it right ?
Replies: 20
Views: 4535

Re: Aging in glass how to do it right ?

+1 NZChris, I believe temperature is important to the length of time it takes to reach maturity. Also important is the introduction of air into the spirit. There has also been a lot of experimentation with aging reactors that emulate many of the processes going on during maturation to speed things a...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:48 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: CCVM still first time build
Replies: 147
Views: 9764

Re: CCVM still first time build

I like the work you did on your Dimroth PC. I did something similar, but with different materials. I started with a 2"x36" ss sanitary spool. I drilled two holes maybe 4" from one end of the spool using a step bit. I then used an angle grinder to cut the tube about midway from the cen...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:58 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Aging in glass how to do it right ?
Replies: 20
Views: 4535

Re: Aging in glass how to do it right ?

Well, I don't have either a garage or an attic. I was thinking more along the lines of a heater of some sort controlled by the Inkbird temp controller I use for fermentation heat control and a timer to periodically turn the process on and off.
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:45 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Well water pressure fluctuations and CM, WTF!!!!!!!!!
Replies: 32
Views: 1666

Re: Well water pressure fluctuations and CM, WTF!!!!!!!!!

I'm on well water with a pressure tank. There's a faucet at the tank that I use with a garden hose to feed the PC on my pot still. The pressure tank also feeds the water conditioning system which in turn, feeds all the faucets in the house. One day I heard the shower running upstairs and soon after ...
by S-Cackalacky
Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:10 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Aging in glass how to do it right ?
Replies: 20
Views: 4535

Re: Aging in glass how to do it right ?

All good advice! Some people mentioned aeration and airing for a period of time. For this, I leave some head space and give it a good shake every week or two. I also rubber band a paper towel to the top and let it sit for an hour or two. I use 1 gallon Pickle jars. If you can figure a way to get som...