Search found 465 matches

by ShineRunner
Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:29 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stop and Start runs
Replies: 10
Views: 1766

Re: Stop and Start runs

I don’t think you’re running too fast. If your distillate is cold, it’s almost certainly not steam (uncollapsed vapor) escaping. If your distillate was 150 or so, I’d be concerned. But I’m guessing you’re possibly even over cooling it which is causing what looks like steam. Let your reservoir warm u...
by ShineRunner
Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:38 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stop and Start runs
Replies: 10
Views: 1766

Re: Stop and Start runs

What is your setup? A worm with recirculation in the reservoir? Or some kind of Liebig? How big of a bucket for the worm? A coolant exit temp of 45 (I assume Celsius?) is nowhere near too warm. Your coolant just needs to be cool enough to condense all the vapor. If it’s not condensing it all and the...
by ShineRunner
Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:25 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Stop and Start runs
Replies: 10
Views: 1766

Re: Stop and Start runs

You can resume the current run if it hasn’t been too long. If it’s been a while, there may be a small concentration of heads at the beginning, but not much, depending on where you were at in the run. You can also dump it all back in and start again. Is this a spirit run or stripping run? If stripper...
by ShineRunner
Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:56 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Speed of stripping & speed of spirit runs
Replies: 383
Views: 46411

Re: Speed of stripping & speed of spirit runs

I'll be doing a big batch of whiskey soon, and I will do some experimenting and post the abv vs. heat results here. As for whether or not more smearing occurs with faster runs, I will hang on to some of the jars and take them to TruckinButch's fest this August and see if I can get other members to ...
by ShineRunner
Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:20 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Pot Still Collection Rate
Replies: 16
Views: 2611

Re: Pot Still Collection Rate

There are a few old threads with widely varying rates that would be useful for you to look at. For a stripping run, run it as fast as you can. There’s no advantage (that I’ve found) to running it any slower. For your spirit run, i think it depends on the size of your rig. I don’t run my 5 gal pot as...
by ShineRunner
Wed Dec 12, 2018 7:38 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Car radiator gives poor heat exchange
Replies: 22
Views: 3737

Re: Car radiator gives poor heat exchange

I didn’t really spend much on mine. I used the radiator out of my truck, which spring a small leak. It only leaks under pressure, so it’s fine for this application. I used a cheap box fan that I had laying around and used a cargo strap to hold it together. I got a cheap eBay pump wired to an old cpu...
by ShineRunner
Tue Dec 11, 2018 7:14 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: 2" Tri-Clamp Valves
Replies: 4
Views: 1459

Re: 2" Tri-Clamp Valves

Try google translate or Microsoft translate apps on your phone. You can take a picture of signs or anything else and it will automatically translate for you. I’ve never tried it with mandarin, but it works well with European languages...

SR
by ShineRunner
Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:14 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Straightening boiler port
Replies: 8
Views: 1593

Re: Straightening boiler port

How bad is it? Is it warped right at the ferrule or is the ferrule itself warped? Can you see a wave in the metal that would be causing the problem? I don’t think I’d try to manhandle the ferrule for fear of the stainless weakening or tearing at the weld. Have you ever done body work? If you can see...
by ShineRunner
Thu May 10, 2018 12:49 pm
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Steamers and fermenting on grains
Replies: 1
Views: 962

Re: Steamers and fermenting on grains

I ferment in an HDPE 55 gallon barrel. HDPE is important because it has higher temp ratings and will withstand steaming temps. Although it is supposedly rated for that, I try to keep things as low as possible. http://fivegallonideas.com/plastic-types-old/" onclick="window.open(this.href);r...
by ShineRunner
Wed May 02, 2018 9:18 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: single distill or strip and spirit runs?
Replies: 7
Views: 1017

Re: single distill or strip and spirit runs?

Another for strip and spirit runs. I guess my stripping runs are generally steam stripping grains, so that would be tough to do a single run on. When I did sugarheads, I wasn’t as happy with the product.

I pull fores on both.

SR
by ShineRunner
Sat Apr 28, 2018 8:28 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: CCVM shot gun placement?
Replies: 4
Views: 1504

Re: CCVM shot gun placement?

Don’t think it really matters. I’d put it before, if anything.
by ShineRunner
Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:57 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: If you’ve got a big lid on your boiler or thumper, how are y
Replies: 9
Views: 2080

Re: If you’ve got a big lid on your boiler or thumper, how a

I flipped my keg over and use the 2” port for a drain. I use a butterfly valve on that. It will occasionally clog on draining (after steam stripping goopy corn), so I have a poker stick (dowel) to stir it and break up clogs. I put a 4” triclamp on the top and use a 4-2” reducer. In retrospect, I wou...
by ShineRunner
Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:39 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Spirit Run Wattage
Replies: 13
Views: 2207

Re: Spirit Run Wattage

Why fight the controller? They’re cheap, easy, and allow you adjustability. Having a single element that is only at full power, say 2000W, limits you. As a run progresses, you need to add more power. Some runs will require different power requirements based on abv and volume. It’s really a minimum o...
by ShineRunner
Tue Apr 17, 2018 8:44 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First spirit run issues
Replies: 5
Views: 1179

Re: First spirit run issues

What’s the question? Huffing- generally I’d say your water is running too fast and causing vapor collapse. Water should be hot coming out, not just warm. Generally, you want the break over point to be about mid way down your Liebig. Can be a little higher though. 1” column is plenty for a pot still ...
by ShineRunner
Tue Apr 17, 2018 6:05 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon
Replies: 19
Views: 2685

Re: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon

to continue this... I finished up with 23l of low wines @ 30% so I guess I was going way too far in the stripping runs - not too much of an issue. I don’t think you went too far at all. I have advocated around here for averaging your stripping runs at about 30%. I got the idea from Jimbo. That perc...
by ShineRunner
Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:57 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: 3" Pot Still Take Off Rate Problem
Replies: 13
Views: 1924

Re: 3" Pot Still Take Off Rate Problem

I think the column doesn’t make any difference for you. A 2” or even 1” column would give you the same output. Your problem is your short Liebig, IMO. The “diameter for speed, height for purity” theory only works for reflux stills. A pot still really doesn’t matter what size the column is if your co...
by ShineRunner
Sat Apr 14, 2018 5:00 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: 3" Pot Still Take Off Rate Problem
Replies: 13
Views: 1924

Re: 3" Pot Still Take Off Rate Problem

Seems to me that your diffuser plate is soaking up too much heat. Make sure everything is seated and touching as much as possible. If you’re able to run faster without the plate, to the point of overpowering your condenser, there’s your problem. Run without the plate but turn your power down a bit a...
by ShineRunner
Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:01 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Where did my alcohol go?
Replies: 33
Views: 6255

Re: Where did my alcohol go?

Now the reflux pump , is a little 12v unit from eBay for solar heating system . About 25$ , good to 120c although I have a little 2" computer fan on it . It will pump hot reflux 9 ' . I use one for the feed too with a cheap adjustable flow meter from eBay I don't use gravity feed . They ar com...
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:44 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: All grain advice
Replies: 20
Views: 3346

Re: All grain advice

Just to be clear, it’s at 1.030, not 1.003, right? I can’t imagine it’s all that sour at 1.030. You’re reading with a hydrometer, not a refractometer? If it is at 1.030 and it’s done fermenting, then yes- run it. I’d warm it up slower than usual to try to minimize scorching. Get what you can and mov...
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:26 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon
Replies: 19
Views: 2685

Re: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon

Try using a funnel with a cotton ball to filter some of it out. It’ll still get somewhat into your container, but should clean out fairly easily with soap and a scrub brush.
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:53 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon
Replies: 19
Views: 2685

Re: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon

Also, how low are you going on your strips? The deeper into tails you go, the more of that stuff you’ll get. Not a bad thing, in my opinion..

SR
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:49 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon
Replies: 19
Views: 2685

Re: attempt at NChooch's Carolina Bourbon

It won’t hurt to try butter or olive oil in your strips, but I don’t think you’re puking. Those oils are pretty typical when I do stripping runs too. If they’re really bad, I’ll throw cotton balls or a paper towel filter into my funnel to catch most of them. Some still get through, but the spirit ru...
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:41 am
Forum: (Discussion) Mashing / Fermenting
Topic: Newbie Help
Replies: 12
Views: 1652

Re: Newbie Help

Wild Bill wrote: To bastardize a Papazian saying “don't worry have a bourbon”.
:thumbup:
by ShineRunner
Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:38 am
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: FermCap
Replies: 38
Views: 4949

Re: FermCap

Another vote that fermcap has not caused any issues for me. However, I don’t try to taste or smell my low wines all that often. I take a fores cut on on both runs but why bother with collecting low wines in small jars or tasting and smelling? They usually smell and taste terrible. How they come out ...
by ShineRunner
Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:19 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Where did my alcohol go?
Replies: 33
Views: 6255

Re: Where did my alcohol go?

Sounds like you got it all figured out 3 ways. What’s the question?

I think I’m just too far in the bag to follow..
by ShineRunner
Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:57 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Four Roses Video on Yeast Affect on Flavor
Replies: 10
Views: 2647

Re: Four Roses Video on Yeast Affect on Flavor

Full disclosure: didn’t watch the video yet. But, I’m inclined to agree with der wo here. He said basically everything I was thinking about marketing hype. That said, I’m really interested in your experiment fizzix. I was planning something like this before, but just ran out of time and had to get d...
by ShineRunner
Wed Mar 28, 2018 6:50 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Keg still and copper pipe size
Replies: 17
Views: 3434

Re: Keg still and copper pipe size

Found the other thread. https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=70194 He has some good drawings that you can reference. As I told him, I would strongly recommend you make things as modular as possible to allow different combinations and to allow it to be broken down for easy cleanin...
by ShineRunner
Wed Mar 28, 2018 6:16 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Keg still and copper pipe size
Replies: 17
Views: 3434

Re: Keg still and copper pipe size

It’s not too small, but I think you’d be happier with at least 3/4 to the thumper. I also think you’d be happier with a 3/4 over 1/2” Liebig vs a worm. They’re much more compact and less leaky. Probably Cheaper than having to buy all of the tubing that you’d need for a 15.5 gallon keg. Are you plann...
by ShineRunner
Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:25 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: All grain advice
Replies: 20
Views: 3346

Re: All grain advice

Also, here’s a great calculator for yeast pitching rates. I usually use the 0.75 rate for whiskeys. https://www.brewersfriend.com/yeast-pitch-rate-and-starter-calculator/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Looks like you pitched about 25% of the recomme...