Search found 614 matches

by ben stiller
Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:59 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

Duke, Have you tried adding syrup directly to the boiler rather than fermenting it? I have read where some have had success carrying over the flavor this way. My plan is to ferment a light rum and then add syrup to the boiler and see what happens. For those interested in this topic search for Randy ...
by ben stiller
Sun Mar 04, 2018 2:06 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Soldering/welding stock pot lid
Replies: 10
Views: 2077

Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

If the lid is flat maybe consider putting the ferrule off center to help balance the off center weight of the gin basket and condenser.
by ben stiller
Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:29 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Pot Still that's still a pot
Replies: 23
Views: 3188

Re: Pot Still that's still a pot

How are you controlling the pump speed? I have a tee in the pump supply line with a valve in it that dumps back to the reservoir to
control the cooling water flow. Your condenser return water should be very warm to touch but not really hot. You want a nice temperature gradient up the condenser,
by ben stiller
Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:16 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Soldering/welding stock pot lid
Replies: 10
Views: 2077

Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

I would also question why you would want to solder the lid and use 4 inch for a pot still? How will you connect the column to the lid? By being able to remove the lid you can easily access the inside for cleaning. I use an inverted bowl with a large reducer soldered on to it and it supports a tall m...
by ben stiller
Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:40 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Pot Still that's still a pot
Replies: 23
Views: 3188

Re: Pot Still that's still a pot

The water coming out of the condenser kind of came out in spurts instead of getting a steady stream. There seemed to be some pressure oscillation at a frequency of about 1 - 2 hz. Is this normal? Does it indicate that anything might be not quite right? Did it make a huffing sound while it was spurt...
by ben stiller
Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:20 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

Try adding a bunch of binder clips and see if that does not work. If you still have a leak, try wrapping both the pot rim and lid with ptfe tape and not use the gasket. I use this method with binder clips and have no leaks. I also do not replace the ptfe very often. Sometimes I will freshen it up wi...
by ben stiller
Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:35 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

Thanks Cede! Not hard at all to fabricate with just a few tools. I used a drill and saws all to cut out the door and stack openings. For the large pan opening I bought a pack of 5 cut off wheels for my 4 inch grinder from TSC for like $6. Since most of the heat is in the back of the stove I chose to...
by ben stiller
Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:47 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

I start off with roughly a gallon which is about one inch depth in the pan. This allows the boil to start very quickly which is key to getting through a lot of sap. I do cheat a bit and preheat 3 to 4 quarts at a time in a pot on my propane camp stove. I keep adding the preheated sap and eventually ...
by ben stiller
Tue Feb 27, 2018 4:53 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

This is the new rig I finished recently. Added a fan in front of the air intake and really increased the heat. I am able to boil off about 3 gallons an hour. The pan was supposed to be 6 inches longer but that is another story.
IMG_0437.JPG
by ben stiller
Mon Feb 26, 2018 4:55 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

I think you got a pretty decent joint there. As AC stated, it is much more difficult to do a repair than the original joint. Your column looks fairly light so I think you will be good. Unless you got a lot of flux on the bowl outside of the solder joint, that excess solder around the ferrule should ...
by ben stiller
Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:13 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

Sap flow has been slow due to unusually warm nights and the trend looks to continue this week : (
by ben stiller
Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:41 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: reflux still vs pot still
Replies: 7
Views: 925

Re: reflux still vs pot still

Best to read through the honey threads. As otis stated you will lose much of the honey flavor distilling it. I think that you
will find most would put the honey in a thumper to maximize the flavor. Welcome aboard.
by ben stiller
Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:30 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: New to Distilling in an apartment HELP!!!
Replies: 25
Views: 2796

Re: New to Distilling in an apartment HELP!!!

If you have 220 volts available in the basement like a dryer outlet, I would highly suggest converting your keg to electric. Not
very hard to do and much safer in the basement.
by ben stiller
Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:43 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Hydrometer: $3.71 + FREE Shipping. Stock up!
Replies: 4
Views: 1222

Re: Hydrometer: $3.71 + FREE Shipping. Stock up!

I bought a set of 3 from the Ukraine a few years ago like the ones in this ad. They are pretty accurate and great to drop into a glass for a quick check and will show actual alcohol percentage. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-3-TESTER-HYDROMETER-GADGETS-ALCOHOLMETER-PROOF-ALCOHOL-METER-VINOMETER/263415...
by ben stiller
Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:17 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

Been using my boiler to cook the sap down to around 215 degrees and then I finish up on a propane camp stove. While the sap is boiling away I have been building a 55 gallon barrel stove and found a local Amish guy to build me a pan which is done and I can pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully the sap will ...
by ben stiller
Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:20 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

Cede,

That is something that I had not considered, but I have boiled sap from these trees over the last few years and never
had problems with deposits. Also easy enough to replace the element and save this one for sap only.
Thanks for pointing that out.
by ben stiller
Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:46 am
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Tree tapping
Replies: 90
Views: 11556

Re: Tree tapping

I am thinking about using my boiler (5 gallon pot with internal element) to boil down my sap and then finishing it on a stove. Is there
any reason not to do this? I don't think It will be a problem as long as I don't boil it down to syrup with the element.
by ben stiller
Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:46 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

Nice work. Did you stick to argon or use helium? Any back purge on the welds?

Thanks

Edit. I apologize to the op for hijacking this thread. Really interested in learning all I can about tig welding as it relates to
this hobby.
by ben stiller
Tue Feb 13, 2018 5:15 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

Hey,

Do you have any pics of a joint done with tig and silicon bronze rod. Would really like to see what it looks like. I am in my
infancy with a tig welder.
by ben stiller
Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:02 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

Looks like not enough flux and not enough heat. Where did you apply the heat? I would concentrate the heat inside the ferrule through the top since the ferrule is so much thicker than the bowl. You don't want to burn the flux completely off. If this is happening during the heating apply more flux.Al...
by ben stiller
Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:16 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: BIRTHDAY WISHES
Replies: 1518
Views: 132098

Re: BIRTHDAY WISHES

Bushman wrote:Have a great day Ben Stiller. Hope you have something fun planned.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes Bushman. I went to the first session of my 8 week bee keeping class. I am one year into bees.
by ben stiller
Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:07 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

It will be fine. Go ahead and then post pics please. Also for others detailed account of what went well and or not so well.
by ben stiller
Tue Feb 06, 2018 4:40 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

If using a hole saw on stainless use lots of water and go as slow as the drill will allow. If you see and smoke stop and cool it with water. You do NOT want to work harden the stainless or it will be a bear to drill. I've read about people using WD-40 as a cutting fluid. Would this be useful or jus...
by ben stiller
Mon Feb 05, 2018 4:51 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: How mad was your SOH when you bought/built your first still
Replies: 132
Views: 11874

Re: How mad was your man when you started stilling?

When I started my soh didn't really give me a hard time just an occasional disapproving look. Shortly into the hobby she was there when I had all the jars lined up and took a keen interest in smelling and tasting them.Basically got involved in the cuts and boy did they get tight LOL. She really came...
by ben stiller
Mon Feb 05, 2018 4:01 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: TIG Welding Clarification
Replies: 77
Views: 8049

Re: TIG Welding Clarification

I have a fairly heavy column on my inverted bowl so I bought a 4 inch to 1.5 inch reducer and soldered that to my bowl. It really stiffens up the flimsy bottom of the bowl and has a ton of surface area for the solder. If you go this route use only half the solder that I did. All of the excess solder...
by ben stiller
Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:36 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: 8 or 13 gallon still
Replies: 16
Views: 2214

Re: 8 or 13 gallon still

Post up a link of the still that you plan to buy so the experts here can critique it and possibly keep you from
making a poor decision.
by ben stiller
Fri Jan 26, 2018 6:36 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: What is the recommended temp for fleischmann's yeast
Replies: 16
Views: 7210

Re: What is the recommended temp for fleischmann's yeast

ExpatLad wrote:From my own experimentation I've pushed up as high as 95f without any off flavours. Very active ferments down to completely dry.
Totally agree. Bread yeast works well into the 90's. Just keep your temps steady and use nutrients as others have stated and the yeast
will be happy.
by ben stiller
Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:56 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: The most funny thing I saw in years
Replies: 6
Views: 900

Re: The most funny thing I saw in years

Sorta reminds me of Henry Fords snow tractor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn5jkXEFTZ4
by ben stiller
Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:43 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Small concentric build
Replies: 20
Views: 2621

Re: Small concentric build

Take a close look at the first picture in Rad's concentric thread (probably in trouble for mentioning his name). I copied his product condenser because it is simple and super light weight. It is basically a 3/8'' copper tube inserted through a larger ( I think it was 3/4'' tube). this is an extensio...
by ben stiller
Sat Jan 06, 2018 6:35 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: WARNING: "SS" scrubbies falling apart leaving black residue
Replies: 37
Views: 3880

Re: WARNING: "SS" scrubbies falling apart leaving black resi

Bring a magnet with you when shopping for stainless. If the scrubbie sticks to the magnet then it is stainless coated or some other
material and not the proper one for packing.