Search found 252 matches

by Fredistiller
Tue Apr 18, 2023 12:04 pm
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I ran all my fruits the last past month. Berries + grapes are quite okay but have that acrid taste that I thought came from the rowan last year. But it's a spirit that changes tremendously with some times. It's a lot of work and time and but it stays my favourite. I ran the 32L of low wines of apple...
by Fredistiller
Mon Feb 20, 2023 7:51 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

After a first successful attempt with apples in 2021, I decided to go a bit bigger in 2022. I knew that my brother's best friend had one or two apple tree so I proposed him to make some brandy together. All I got was a polite "yeah sure, why not?" so I let him be. I searched the internet a...
by Fredistiller
Mon Feb 20, 2023 7:23 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Hi there, Gosh! It's been a while since I posted here! Summer 2022 was really good, too sunny and too hot to be okay but that's another subject. I went to my "secret garden of heaven" and picked some free grapes, blackberries and elderberries at the end of the summer. I could have picked m...
by Fredistiller
Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:20 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I found the garden of eden! Following the advice of Cranky I had, on my way to work, written down every places where I saw fruits. Here the most common wild fruits are elders, black berries and rowan. A few days ago I stopped at a place with a few bushes where three of them are elders. This place i...
by Fredistiller
Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:30 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I found the garden of eden! Following the advice of Cranky I had, on my way to work, written down every places where I saw fruits. Here the most common wild fruits are elders, black berries and rowan. A few days ago I stopped at a place with a few bushes where three of them are elders. This place is...
by Fredistiller
Sun Apr 10, 2022 7:13 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: yeast fermentation under the microscope
Replies: 1
Views: 1959

yeast fermentation under the microscope

Just a link to a nice video:

by Fredistiller
Sat Apr 09, 2022 6:53 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I distilled my berry brandy 3 moth ago. One run with thumper filled with water. Even if, as usual, the outcome had an unpleasant smell almost through the all run, the final result smells terrific already. A subtle flower aroma dancing with a strong vegetal smell. Vegetal like that grape seed smell a...
by Fredistiller
Thu Feb 10, 2022 12:17 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

It seems that the angels enjoy their share, they saved their future booze!
by Fredistiller
Fri Dec 31, 2021 12:12 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I see you guys speaking about yeast. Cranky, I've read that, as other members,you say that you don't get good results with wild yeast. But I've never seen why or what you mean by good results. A bad taste? Difficult cuts?
by Fredistiller
Fri Dec 31, 2021 12:07 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Thanks for your share Stillanoob! All the distilleries I visited in France (cognac-calvados) talk about heads hearts and tails. They never use something as foreshots. I believe it's because they are used to age for a very long time that they make large cuts...or they have to age for so long because ...
by Fredistiller
Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:27 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I distilled my first apple spirit! I let the juice to ferment for 2 months, I know it's better to wait longer, but I had some free days and needed some space in the basement. The hard cider had a very pleasant smell, fruity and fresh. It tasted also very fruity and bit tart. The first run of 36L of ...
by Fredistiller
Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:45 pm
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I'm truly curious about the taste of pumpkin brandy!!!
by Fredistiller
Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:46 pm
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I like your press. The springs to reset the jack are a nice touch for usability. Don't hurry too much to distill. Calvados is distilled only after the cider has sat on the lees for up to 6 months. I remembered a member of the forum saying it's a pita to reset the jack everytime, I searched for a so...
by Fredistiller
Sat Nov 13, 2021 12:56 pm
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Bushman wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 12:28 pm Fredistiller, where did you get your basket at?
It's self designed and made. The inside is made of bended perforated plate. The "support" is made out SS plate 2mm thick. Laser cut, bended and welded.
by Fredistiller
Sat Nov 13, 2021 5:44 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Two weeks ago I processed my apples. My first time doing apples after such a long time thinking about it! I had 100 kg (220lbs) of "court-pendu" apples, organic apples used as a fertilisation apple tree. According to the farmer a very good hard cider apple. He sold the apples for a fair pr...
by Fredistiller
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:09 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

Thanks for your replies Demy and Danespirit ! :thumbup:
by Fredistiller
Sun Oct 03, 2021 7:21 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

For what it's worth..I have something similar to Demy's build. I made a solid base out of wood, though which gives it stability so it doesn't tip easily. My bottle jack is just 2,5 T but there is plenty of power to press apples even if they are not super ripe. The I-beam across is 120X60X6 mm and s...
by Fredistiller
Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:19 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

You can make two grades from one pressing if you want, using the Free Run for one style of wine or brandy, and the pressed for another. Could you explain a bit more? What do you mean by Free Run? It's the juice you get without pressing. It has less influence from the skins. It would only make a lot...
by Fredistiller
Sat Oct 02, 2021 8:14 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

This is my old video, maybe it could help. There are many ways to build it. Perhaps your base is a bit small but if you don't push too fast it will be fine.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-A0pGfOpOk Thanks! Nice little press!! Your upper bar looks like a IPE, can you tell me how broad it is (100-1...
by Fredistiller
Sat Oct 02, 2021 8:11 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

When pressing yesterday I was paying attention to see how much room is really needed for clearance around the tub. I think 1cm is pretty tight but you will be ok. You'll just have to try it and see. It is the first gush as you press, large quantities of juice come out. I'm no expert either! And hav...
by Fredistiller
Sat Oct 02, 2021 4:03 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

NZChris wrote: Sat Oct 02, 2021 1:16 am You can make two grades from one pressing if you want, using the Free Run for one style of wine or brandy, and the pressed for another.
Could you explain a bit more? What do you mean by Free Run?
by Fredistiller
Sat Oct 02, 2021 12:17 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

Fred, I don't think a stronger jack will work faster. As I press (with an old school hand screw press) I find pausing put less stress on the equipment. When you pause for a few seconds it allows the fruit to break down and the juice to drain and then it is easier to press some more. As I get closer...
by Fredistiller
Mon Sep 27, 2021 4:34 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

Re: advice asked for my press

Thanks for the YouTube link!
I read the two posts you mentioned but couldn't find answers to my questions. I didn't want to hijack the posts by talking about my own project...

I hope you'll find the time to beat some copper sheet.😇
by Fredistiller
Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:35 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: advice asked for my press
Replies: 18
Views: 1571

advice asked for my press

Hi, I'm currently working on my SS press. I'll use it for elderberries, grapes and apples. Any advices from experienced people would be much appreciated. For apples I read that it's better to make "cakes" and and using slats instead of using a basket That's why, in addition to win storage ...
by Fredistiller
Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:34 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Pot still & thumper with hammered lid : 2.5 years working on it!
Replies: 17
Views: 4270

Re: Pot still & thumper with hammered lid : 2.5 years working on it!

A member asked me about the wiring of my installation. I thought I could share it here too even if I'm a noob when it comes to electricity. As I said, my brother helped and I just followed his instructions, so sorry for the unprofessional explanation ! But something is better than nothing...so here ...
by Fredistiller
Sat Sep 18, 2021 2:14 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Fred with fabrication skills like these I'm sure you will manage to make a very nice apple chopper. freds lid.jpg Thanks SBB! I believe that it shouldn't be that difficult for me. I have 24 years of experience in tailor made industrial machines and access to all the machines and stainless steel som...
by Fredistiller
Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:52 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

I'm afraid I'm quite possessed with this apple grinder/press stuff. Can't help thinking about it all day long. I was wondering while mounting this fan at work how many kilos of apples it would chop in 1 hour :D 20210917_074621(1).jpg 20210917_074635(1).jpg Sorry for the joke... I looked around and I...
by Fredistiller
Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:47 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Very nice video Cranky :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: good info's in here!

Makes your "apple stuff" very concrete.
by Fredistiller
Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:43 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Here is the link, watch the video it truly works that fast. Only the really large apples might need cutting yesterday we ran two different variety of apples and cleaned both trees that were loaded and didn’t cut a single apple. https://apple-presses.com/electric-fruit-crusher-ese-018-apple-mill 454...
by Fredistiller
Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229957

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

Tuesday I went to my brother. We extracted 8.5 L. (Sg1.043) out of the 16 Kg of apples I picked last Friday. It was quite long (1.5h) but the strainer worked very well, the pulp was very dry when it came out of the machine. If I can pick more apples in the future I'll definitely need faster equipmen...