Search found 1659 matches

by zapata
Sun Jun 12, 2022 3:20 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: My Still
Replies: 42
Views: 4381

Re: My Still

matjans wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:55 am and/or a polish style buffer at the bottom of the column
What's a polish buffer?

And yeah, awesome still!
by zapata
Sun Jun 12, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Tell me why this design wont work
Replies: 27
Views: 1231

Re: Tell me why this design wont work

1. Cold reflux is not much of a problem, I thought The Complete Distiller dispelled that 20 years ago? Though it is at the very least an inefficiency worth noting. 2. Reverse liquid management works fine 3. The still as drawn will work fine 4. The still as drawn isn't as "elegant" as other...
by zapata
Sun May 22, 2022 6:56 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.
Replies: 144
Views: 6472

Re: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.

Skow's column was 2" OD 1/4" wall, so 1.5" ID, a fair bit less than most "2 inch" columns. As a bit of an aside, I propose we stop using the word "fluidized bed". That is already a specific technical word that probably doesn't apply to every scenario we are describ...
by zapata
Fri May 20, 2022 1:40 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Volatile Reaction Using Washing Soda
Replies: 34
Views: 2104

Re: Volatile Reaction Using Washing Soda

Arm and Hammer is the brand I have repeatedly used, both for this purpose as well as other chemistry related purposes. I have always found their washing soda, as well as their other products to be reliably pure. The water is "water of crystallization" and is an essential thing that makes w...
by zapata
Fri May 20, 2022 1:25 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.
Replies: 144
Views: 6472

Re: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.

It's a good point that words like "minuscule" are pretty useless in this conversation. Definitely both plated and packed stills have measurable pressure drop. But it will be in the "inches of water" scale, and not the the PSI scale. 1PSI = 27.7 inches of water. So the pressure wi...
by zapata
Fri May 20, 2022 1:11 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Some info on a still design and use of induction cookers
Replies: 15
Views: 613

Re: Some info on a still design and use of induction cookers

They are a thing that exist on some pot stills in Scotland where they are in fact called purifiers. Based on that alone I certainly wouldn't reject them out of hand, though I must admit a bit of skepticism of their utility as shown. I am a proponent for large headspace, large caps/helmets/onions, la...
by zapata
Thu May 19, 2022 8:34 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.
Replies: 144
Views: 6472

Re: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.

I had always wondered about this as my crude understanding of a column operation is that there the vapor rises to the top, gets condensed by the RC and then drops back down to be reheated and to repeat the cycle. Eventually when the ethanol particles are light enough and have shed enough of the &qu...
by zapata
Thu May 19, 2022 8:05 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Volatile Reaction Using Washing Soda
Replies: 34
Views: 2104

Re: Volatile Reaction Using Washing Soda

I've used washing soda and not experienced anything similar.

Did you mention heat source? Not that I have an answer, just trying to think through it all with you.
by zapata
Thu May 19, 2022 8:00 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Bourbon Shortages, Amongst Others
Replies: 30
Views: 1760

Re: Bourbon Shortages, Amongst Others

It's more hype than anything. Lots of good bourbon still on the shelf, it's just not whatever the facebook taters have decided will complete their beanie baby collection. The only problem is that the finance bros are invested in this bubble and are deep enough to keep it floating for quite a while.
by zapata
Tue May 17, 2022 4:11 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.
Replies: 144
Views: 6472

Re: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.

Specifying amperage alone doesn't translate, your voltage is 240v? So your power is from 2880 watts to 3240 watts?
by zapata
Tue May 17, 2022 1:47 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.
Replies: 144
Views: 6472

Re: Semi- fluidized bed/ semi- aquatic state/ semi- flooded Etc.

There is support in academic and industrial literature to support thoroughly wetting the packing may actually be where this "semi-fluidized bed" talk actually came from. At least it's as close as I can trace it before I get lost translating outside of english. A number of authors suggested...
by zapata
Fri May 13, 2022 12:41 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: THE LAVA ROCK USAGE POST
Replies: 34
Views: 1920

Re: THE LAVA ROCK USAGE POST

Good tips. I'll be the one to point out that there is no azeo "or better". That's what azeotrope means, the highest purity possible by distillation. If you're getting better than 95.6%, that means you are measuring ABV, not ABW, because the azeotrope is 97.2% ABV.
by zapata
Thu May 12, 2022 1:16 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Operation
Replies: 29
Views: 1140

Re: Operation

Woohoo!
by zapata
Wed May 11, 2022 5:16 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Hetp for copper mesh
Replies: 4
Views: 347

Re: Hetp for copper mesh

There is no such thing as "HETP for copper mesh". You could have a "minimum HETP" or a "typical HETP", but will be dependent on the still and how it's run. If you want to calculate your HETP you can calculate it from your boiler and product ABV just by marking off the s...
by zapata
Wed May 11, 2022 5:01 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Do you always have to take tight cuts?
Replies: 24
Views: 1300

Re: Do you always have to take tight cuts?

Just out of curiosity. How do the big bourbon brands get away with taking no cuts based on a health and safety perspective? Surely things like acetaldehyde, methanol, acetone and all the other by products are toxic to be consumed?? As a hobbyist id always take cuts of course because I want to make ...
by zapata
Wed May 11, 2022 4:01 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Turbo 500 Boiler
Replies: 9
Views: 1042

Re: Turbo 500 Boiler

I'm 2nding Howie. I definitely don't know your finances, but I'm a big fan of the modern all in one brew systems. Anvil foundry for me for reasons, but there are lots of valid options. It was a bit of a surprise to me as I'm historically a build everything DIY, build it fancy, huge and as advanced a...
by zapata
Tue May 10, 2022 1:37 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Nasty poop smell before fermenting
Replies: 18
Views: 1209

Re: Nasty poop smell before fermenting

Great attitude, look forward to hearing how it all works out.
by zapata
Mon May 09, 2022 6:42 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Nasty poop smell before fermenting
Replies: 18
Views: 1209

Re: Nasty poop smell before fermenting

Do you have a post in mind for cultivating your own colony? And what are your thoughts on bought vs grown? Ill have to do some research cause this intrigues me. I'm not scared of bacteria, I welcome it. I'm not in this hobby to make the best stuff in the world, it's all just a giant science project...
by zapata
Mon May 09, 2022 1:18 pm
Forum: New distiller reading Lounge
Topic: How do the Florida members get by?
Replies: 20
Views: 2770

Re: How do the Florida members get by?

Stills are illegal in my state. State distilling licenses depend on federal licenses. Federal licenses require the still to be in place before the license is granted. Which means it's literally impossible to open a legal distillery without breaking the law because obtaining the still before licensed...
by zapata
Mon May 09, 2022 1:04 pm
Forum: Grains
Topic: Nasty poop smell before fermenting
Replies: 18
Views: 1209

Re: Nasty poop smell before fermenting

I agree with the others, this is almost certainly an infection. It's also a fairly good description of what corn smells like if you let it naturally ferment. Try it if you've got some corn left, just soak some in a jar and see how it smells. Interestingly, if you let it get past the grassy vomit poo...
by zapata
Mon May 09, 2022 12:36 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Do you always have to take tight cuts?
Replies: 24
Views: 1300

Re: Do you always have to take tight cuts?

Do what you like always makes sense. So does "taste some of what you made early after you get some experience and see if your tastes don't improve right along with your skill." Interestingly though, you didn't make insanely loose cuts, much less no cuts. That 600 ml cut on the stripping ru...
by zapata
Mon May 09, 2022 7:57 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: "45* Offset LM"
Replies: 27
Views: 2250

Re: "45* Offset LM"

drmiller100 wrote: Wed May 04, 2022 7:53 pm Yes. Within 4 inches of a marble packed column Temps followed the typical gradient with normal losses from the column sides creating a dome of Temps at each vertical level.
I'm having a hard time unpacking that. Could you try to rephrase it or share a relevant link?
by zapata
Sun May 01, 2022 1:57 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 6" Flute on a 26 gallon boiler??
Replies: 47
Views: 2395

Re: 6" Flute on a 26 gallon boiler??

My $.02 that nobody asked for It I'll have to check into the power limits of those bubblecaps RC. That could make a big difference, but I'm not sure how to find to research it. This is the problem with knock off chinese suppliers. If you talk to the supplier that actually innovated those designs and...
by zapata
Sat Apr 30, 2022 10:31 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Slow Proofing
Replies: 19
Views: 1226

Re: Slow Proofing

Save a quart of pot-ale (water) at the end of each strip. Anything after 208F vapor temp will do. So my strips consist of 3.5 gallons wort in a 5G copper pot. I collect exactly 1G of low wines, then collect the next quart as pot-ale. Is there a reason you call it pot ale instead of sweet water? Pot...
by zapata
Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:56 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Slow Proofing
Replies: 19
Views: 1226

Re: Slow Proofing

Yummy, I agree and I don't think it's the temp change, but proofing can absolutely "destroy" flavors. The book Whisky Science has probably the most approachable yet detailed and referenced discussion on this I've seen.
by zapata
Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:50 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: My still has imploded!!!! Digiboil 35L
Replies: 77
Views: 9477

Re: My still has imploded!!!! Digiboil 35L

Hey Applewood, thanks for sharing. Personally, I think some of the shit you've gotten is unfortunate and misguided. I think speaking up about mistakes should be encouraged, ESPECIALLY when they go real bad like this did. Good on ya mate. What you were running was dumb, and you had already been told ...
by zapata
Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:23 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Airing Out Distillate
Replies: 24
Views: 2292

Re: Airing Out Distillate

I have had life get in the way and literally lost an entire multi-gallons run of rum airing out. Be careful y'all.
by zapata
Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:41 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Importance of equipment
Replies: 35
Views: 1838

Re: Importance of equipment

I see absolutely no value in conical fermenters. Temp regulation is quite helpful for fermentation though as it frees you from having seasons. If I had to rank things. 1. A scale that you can get ahead of your drinking to have stock aging and experimenting. For me this was keg sized boiler. 2. elect...
by zapata
Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:31 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: "Estery smell/flavor in many of my runs
Replies: 27
Views: 1709

Re: "Estery smell/flavor in many of my runs

1. You do know that esters are a 100% natural part of normal yeast metabolism, right? And the overwhelming majority of esters will be ethyl acetate because acetic acid is a normal by product of ethanol metabolism. So somewhere in the 95-99% of all esters will be ethyl acetate. Which smells like diff...