Search found 33 matches

by TedL
Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:22 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Really hot ferment!
Replies: 12
Views: 1938

Re: Really hot ferment!

You'll probably have some off flavors. Next time, buy a temperature controller and relax in the knowledge that technology is helping manage the process ... http://www.ink-bird.com/products-temperature-controller-itc308.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="no...
by TedL
Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:12 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Really hot ferment!
Replies: 12
Views: 1938

Re: Really hot ferment!

rad14701 wrote:That sucks... You'll just have to run it and hope for the best... Make sure you collect in many small jars, just in case...
I'll try collecting in small jars and hope for the best. What if it comes out to be complete shit? I guess a waste of 25+ pounds of sugar
by TedL
Sat Feb 18, 2017 8:18 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Really hot ferment!
Replies: 12
Views: 1938

Re: Really hot ferment!

I went away for a week...so I put my little heater on my fermenter barrel and told my girlfriend to not let the temperature get over 80 degrees F....when I came home I checked the temp and it was 120 degrees! It was...hot as hell! My girlfriend said she forgot to check the temp, even when I called ...
by TedL
Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:38 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Really hot ferment!
Replies: 12
Views: 1938

Really hot ferment!

So I went away for a week, before I left I made a 25 gallon sugar wash with corn and rye 10%ABV and I used EC-1118 yeast because it works good when it's cold and I find that it's a pretty clean yeast. It's winter here so I put my little heater on my fermenter barrel and told my girlfriend to not let...
by TedL
Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:54 am
Forum: Grains
Topic: My oh Rye!
Replies: 15
Views: 3470

Re: My oh Rye!

That rye looks great. Since its not malted you'll need to either use it with 20% malted wheat or barley, or use enzymes. Malted wheat has a higher DP. Mash it right at 148-150 for 90 minutes. Anything over 50% rye can be considered a "Rye Whiskey" according to regulations, if you care, an...
by TedL
Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:38 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

frunobulax wrote:I have a 4" column. The sections look just like Tedl's but the entire still is copper.
Frunobulax, your entire still is copper? Even your boiler? I would love to see some pictures of your rig.
by TedL
Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:33 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

This thread has been helpful. It's nice getting feedback from other column/flute users. I've been on the still dragon forum and I think they just like running their still just for something to look at, not to make anything that's good to drink.
by TedL
Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:08 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

What size columns are you guys running on?
by TedL
Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:43 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

I wait 15-20 mins then pull the Fore's and heads off slow, then slowly increase the take off rate when I feel the heads are almost gone. It's hard to say how long it takes, every run is different. 30-45 minutes I'd guess OK cool, as you probably read in my earlier post I was refluxing for 30-45 min...
by TedL
Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:57 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

I agree, a long reflux time is not necessary. Just long enough to stack the plates and stabilize the column. My thermometer is also above the deflag. It's good to know that at 172 f. you're in full reflux, but some of the early, lighter stuff will start to condense and drip, and at 173 ish you'll b...
by TedL
Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:42 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

if you are aiming for neutral based product, refluxing for 30-45 mins may hold true, although with practice you can reduce this time. If you want brown spirits, try for a minimum time, as in just enough to charge the column and start drawing off product. Plates can purify product, or they can pass ...
by TedL
Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:33 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: Rating Commercial Moonshine
Replies: 38
Views: 6341

Re: Rating Commercial Moonshine

dukethebeagle120 wrote:i like midnight moon.can't get it in canada.bought it in new hampshire
I believe midnight moon is just neutral grain spirits made from corn that's proofed down. It's not the real stuff
by TedL
Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:22 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: Rating Commercial Moonshine
Replies: 38
Views: 6341

Re: Rating Commercial Moonshine

I've had Tim Smiths Climax Moonshine and I didn't think it was too bad. Bought a few bottles of it and one bottle tasted like he used too much sugar in his wash and ran the still too fast. But the other bottle I had wasn't bad, maybe it was a good batch but you could smell all of the grain...the cor...
by TedL
Wed Feb 08, 2017 4:42 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: My oh Rye!
Replies: 15
Views: 3470

Re: My oh Rye!

Just make sure the grass seed isn't treated with any kind of pesticide. Wheat seed, that the farmers plant, is treated. And that treatment would make it poisonous to consume. The pesticide keeps bugs (weavels, etc.) from eating the bulk seed. And when harvested (as a crop) the fresh grain is absolu...
by TedL
Wed Feb 08, 2017 4:11 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: My oh Rye!
Replies: 15
Views: 3470

Re: My oh Rye!

I made an all rye using Jimbo's recipe Jimbo's Single Malt AG Recipe and it turned out to be one of my best AG runs I have done thus far. Make sure you grind the grain. I did a malted wheat AG and it was nice. But this rye isn't malted. Im curious what the taste difference would be between malted r...
by TedL
Wed Feb 08, 2017 1:24 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: My oh Rye!
Replies: 15
Views: 3470

Re: My oh Rye!

I cannot tell from the label but there is a difference between rye cereal (a food grain used in beer/whiskey making) and Ryegrass seed. If yuor dad bought this from a beer-making supply house then it is the right stuff. Rye grain (food cereal) will add a spicy bite to an all-grain mash. And it does...
by TedL
Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:19 am
Forum: Grains
Topic: My oh Rye!
Replies: 15
Views: 3470

My oh Rye!

So my dad supports my hobby of distilling and he bought me 50# of rye seed. Will rye seed work for a all grain mash or will I get weird flavors? I usually use flaked rye and that has flavor. What should I do with this stuff....use it or plant it for grass seed?
by TedL
Tue Feb 07, 2017 6:27 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

i'm using 80% organic rye, 20% malt rye. still learning my plate still too, but i'm enjoying the pot still flavour more. sorry for side tracking your welcome thread, i did not realize we were in welcome thread, though it was in novice. anyway, let's keep on the rails and keep it a welcome...i'll ca...
by TedL
Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:56 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

be interested on more of your notes. i tried rye on 2 plates and thought it was tasting pretty thin. currently i'm back to no plates, the flavour is back with a typical strip/spirit format... but with deflag turned off it seems to be smearing on the spirit run. gonna pull the deflag too if this kee...
by TedL
Tue Feb 07, 2017 2:21 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

Welcome to HD Ted. :wave: Nice still ! Where did you purchase it from ? I purchased it from mile high distilling. Not shown in the picture is I have two more plates/sections to add to make vodka or neutral. It's a good still even though it was rumored to be manufactured in China. What had me sold i...
by TedL
Tue Feb 07, 2017 7:04 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

You should have read that entire subforum as part of your mandatory research... It would be nice if there was a way to insure that potential members have read it in full before being granted an account here, unfortunately there isn't... Perhaps a small multiple choice test on the basic functions of...
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:00 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

TedL, please upload you images directly to the HD server instead of relying on external hosting... This is becoming an exhausting daily task to get new members to host locally... When you use external hosts those hosts invariably make changes and all externally hosted images are lost forever, rende...
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 5:59 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

By the way here's a picture of my still
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 5:52 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

rgreen2002 wrote:I work in the northernmost county of the first state (for those not in the know.... DE only has 3 counties)!
I live in the far north territory of NCC right near PA.
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:08 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

Inside view of the plates and they work great
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:06 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

finally have some pictures

I call it the rain maker. Beautiful 4 inch copper

still1.jpg
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 5:20 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

The placement of the thermometer doesn't matter much, but I'm measuring liquid temp or reflux temp and you are measuring vapor temp. The important values will be different. The analog vs digital doesn't really matter except in response time. My analog lags a little and my dephlag is a little oversi...
by TedL
Mon Feb 06, 2017 5:18 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: From Delaware
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: From Delaware

rgreen2002 wrote:Welcome back TedL... Having recently changed jobs I am back to spending quite a bit of time in Delaware!
Oh yeah? What parts of Delaware are you located if you don't mind me asking
by TedL
Sun Feb 05, 2017 6:21 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

The placement of the thermometer doesn't matter much, but I'm measuring liquid temp or reflux temp and you are measuring vapor temp. The important values will be different. The analog vs digital doesn't really matter except in response time. My analog lags a little and my dephlag is a little oversi...
by TedL
Sun Feb 05, 2017 3:30 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Running a column still
Replies: 55
Views: 8918

Re: Running a column still

Now that you have been properly chastised, try starting here: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=19889. I run a modular 5 plate flute and found this thread helpful when I started. That said, each still is different so ymmv. Until you get a good sense of how heads, hearts, and t...