Search found 225 matches

by FeralPig
Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:36 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Amalyse???
Replies: 7
Views: 1610

Re: Amalyse???

You could just buy 2 pounds of malted and milled barely from the brew shop and that will give more than enough enzymes to convert the un-malted grains.
by FeralPig
Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:48 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: brandy experience?
Replies: 39
Views: 6869

Re: brandy experience? update

just an update on the brandy project. the wine that i described in the first post took about a week to ferment dry and was about 10%. let it sit a few weeks and racked it twice. made 8 gal that tasted pretty good. today we took the packing out of the bokakob opened up the valve and ran it. collecte...
by FeralPig
Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:46 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: brandy experience?
Replies: 39
Views: 6869

Re: brandy experience?

skoop, ive never made wine from real grapes but, if i had that much natural juice that measured 1.070 no way would i put any sugar in it. hopefully someone with real exp will re. If you have a true start SG of 1.070, what is the point of doing anything else? Run it. Sugar adds a taste. Maybe you li...
by FeralPig
Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:09 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: brandy experience?
Replies: 39
Views: 6869

Re: brandy experience?

thanks for the re fp. i've been wondering about soaking a bit of the 'mother fruit' in the distilled product. i'd be using a raisin in my case. you didn't mention oak, do you not use it? I have it in a 1/2 gallon white oak cask I purchased from milehighdistiiling.org. That is my oaking process. Aft...
by FeralPig
Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:27 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: brandy experience?
Replies: 39
Views: 6869

Re: brandy experience?

I make the peach wine recipe located on this site (http://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/Peach_Wine_Recipe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow). It makes very good peach wine. Something I do additionally is freeze the 15lbs of peaches then thaw. It hel...
by FeralPig
Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:40 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: article on reducing yeast stress.
Replies: 2
Views: 1126

article on reducing yeast stress.

An Article just published on reducing yeast stress. Something about a massage with a happy ending.. :D


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 203429.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
by FeralPig
Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:12 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Here is an interesting experience
Replies: 8
Views: 1359

Re: Here is an interesting experience

The trip from a cool column to operating temperature happens really sudden on a low wines run and slightly slower on a strip run. I too have been caught unawares by this. Now I turn on cooling water much sooner.
by FeralPig
Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:49 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: "New" keg
Replies: 5
Views: 1756

Re: "New" keg

Hawke wrote:I started with a cut keg. Once I got the uncut one, life became so much easier.
You could save yourself some money by using one of the 'easy flange' methods.
Then all you would need to buy is the clamp and gasket.
+1
by FeralPig
Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:21 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: pure rye whiskey ferment smell?
Replies: 0
Views: 650

pure rye whiskey ferment smell?

I started a 10 gallon rye wash yesterday. Nuttin but Rye. Today the house smells like my brother-in-law after he has eaten Mexican food. The wash is bubbling like mad but the smell...un-freakin-believable. :shock: Horrible is an understatement. This is my first grain. Is this normal? I would expect ...
by FeralPig
Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:15 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: I am a klutz
Replies: 8
Views: 1258

Re: I am a klutz

I use a free standing parrot to measure ABV during the run but the distillate must be right at the top so that you can see the hydrometer scale. I purchase a glass beaker every time I am at the brew shop whether I need one or not. Also, I wrap the top with duct tape (very thick) and I glue the base ...
by FeralPig
Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:03 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: I'm a big dummy
Replies: 1
Views: 729

Re: I'm a big dummy

Steam from any opening is bad. Dangerous. There is no condition where it is OK to have steam exciting the lyne arm or condenser. Fast and hot doesn't mean steam.
by FeralPig
Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:58 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: A couple of days ago
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Re: A couple of days ago

Thanks for your answers. I'll let it age for a month on some cloves/rasins/caramel and see if the smell that I think is too much tails goes away. Hopefully it will :D Yes it's a radiator :D I put it on as an experiment and it certainly does it's job. At the moment it's only passively cooling and do...
by FeralPig
Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:53 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Some quick questions if anyone has a moment-
Replies: 13
Views: 1942

Re: Some quick questions if anyone has a moment-

Would a still like this work? http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=354675&image=71527615&images=71527615&formats=0&format=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Seems pretty cheap, only 109$ shipped. Edit - ohh and it is...
by FeralPig
Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:19 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: excuses for copper?
Replies: 14
Views: 1799

Re: excuses for copper?

I use a plumbing supply house for anything larger than 3/4". I admit when I walk in the door that I am no plumber. No one has asked what I am doing with the stuff. I have the strange feeling I am the only guy in the room that thinks it is a secret.
by FeralPig
Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:19 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Yet another cuts question...
Replies: 24
Views: 3295

Re: Yet another cuts question...

shifty wrote:Cant thank you enough Usge!
Ive taken your post, printed it and stuck it on the fridge ready for the next batch... Pure gold info...

I had it tattooed on me behind! Unfortunately I forgot to have it written backwards and now I can't read it in the mirror. :(
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:42 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: can i paste this gap......?
Replies: 12
Views: 1535

Re: can i paste this gap......?

make your bisket an put it round that gap an push in an make sure there enoughwith some on either side. take your shirt a cut a strip off of it bout4 inchs wide an couple ft long. rap that bisket with that strip an pull it firm. rap it round an around til you aint got no more strip. at end put a pe...
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:36 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Airstill and white wine?
Replies: 2
Views: 645

Re: Airstill and white wine?

Relax. Yer not likely to kill anyone with yer hooch. You might make something that taste less than optimum but that is about it. I know nothing of the airstill but your concerns and questions indicate you do not understand the process. Read more...ask questions...

I wish you luck
by FeralPig
Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:57 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: why's my shine alway hot and harsh
Replies: 34
Views: 6434

Re: why's my shine alway hot and harsh

rad14701 wrote:blind drunk, don't you have an Essential Extractor Pot Distiller with an extension on it...???

BD, run, they got a database on ya. :D

JK
by FeralPig
Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:55 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Does copper packing in a pot still tower = column still?
Replies: 5
Views: 5489

Re: Does copper packing in a pot still tower = column still?

If you bought a pot still and your question is whether adding copper packing makes it a reflux still...sorta but no. In any still, there is a natural amount of reflux. Adding some sort of packing to the pot column will increase reflux. Recall that more reflux equals somewhat purer product and theref...
by FeralPig
Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:49 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Yet another cuts question...
Replies: 24
Views: 3295

Re: Yet another cuts question...

Without question, this is my single biggest challenge. I have read and tried so many theories and ran so many batches and I think I have an excellent grasp of distilling....except cuts. Throughout this process I have seen my own questions echoed back at me via this forum. So I am sure there are many...
by FeralPig
Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:41 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: yeast amounts
Replies: 14
Views: 2659

Re: yeast amounts

Thanks for the insight...I have found on my second wash, like the first, I had to add yeast after a few days because it fizzled out. I think my original amount was correct, but I was not letting my wash cool enough before pitching and I killed some yeast. Make sense? I am not sure too high a temp w...
by FeralPig
Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:11 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Yet another cuts question...
Replies: 24
Views: 3295

Re: Yet another cuts question...

I keep thinking about the "middle fifth cut" talked about on the main page. The author basically said it is common for Scotch distillers to take from 75% down to 55%. I am about to run Brandy and I plan to try this...along with taking in small jars and airing out. We shall see.

Luck,
by FeralPig
Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:58 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Balsa wood
Replies: 5
Views: 980

Re: Balsa wood

Using balsa wood coated with thin flour paste might be an ideal solution... The flour paste will fill any porous parts of the balsa and the two will expand and contact with each other across multiple runs... Might work. I was looking to get away from the flour paste just to cut down on work (I am a...
by FeralPig
Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:02 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Balsa wood
Replies: 5
Views: 980

Re: Balsa wood

For the brief period I used the stainless bowl adapter, I used flour and water to good effect. Ultimately I got an un-molested keg and switched to the clamp method. With that I use hand-made balsa seals. I usually get 2 runs out of each seal.
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:51 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Sanity Poll - How many fermentation runs do you do?
Replies: 17
Views: 2096

Re: Sanity Poll - How many fermentation runs do you do?

Mule... Holy $#!T... 55gal... nice... I would love a rundown of your setup... 5200w sounds great and I am curious about that condener ... all what sounds like an inevitable upgrade to my setup. Greg The drum has 2 bungs, lay it on its side on couple of saw horses, the top bung is fitted with an air...
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:09 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: still construction
Replies: 3
Views: 676

Re: still construction

Look at what the big boys use and let that guide you. Copper is preferred due to heat transfer but also because it will react with Sulfur that is naturally present in your fermented product. Helps keep it from making it over to your final product. Because I am limited in my skills at welding and suc...
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:59 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: yeast amounts
Replies: 14
Views: 2659

Re: yeast amounts

Plenty of yeast early on help get things going and will edge out wild yeasts. Too much yeast will just result in more sediment on the bottom of the fermenter at the end. I use a cup in 6 gallons of wash if I am doing fruit because they often have an abundant amount of wild yeast riding on their skin.
by FeralPig
Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:55 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: Sanity Poll - How many fermentation runs do you do?
Replies: 17
Views: 2096

Re: Sanity Poll - How many fermentation runs do you do?

I purchased a bunch of Home Depot paint buckets...this combined with my actual fermenters allow me to do up to 10 washes (no more space for buckets). I make wine also so I usually have 3 to 6 washes going counting distilling. At least this year that is true. It is peach season here so prices are low...
by FeralPig
Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:05 am
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: A guy running a copper packed reflux with a glass column!
Replies: 3
Views: 611

Re: A guy running a copper packed reflux with a glass column!

I can't recall who, but someone did it and posted info. and pics here.
by FeralPig
Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:28 pm
Forum: Novice Forum Graveyard
Topic: oh... my... god. (video clip) questions
Replies: 6
Views: 1020

Re: oh... my... god. (video clip) questions

shifty wrote:Ha. I love those movies....
Im pretty sure it's just a spoof...Er....i hope so anyway.. :shock:

It only looks like a spoof to you because you don't have relatives like that. Trust me, that ain't likely a spoof. :lol: