Search found 119 matches

by Stew8
Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:19 am
Forum: Grains
Topic: Scottish Peat
Replies: 24
Views: 5287

Re: Scottish Peat

Some of Scottish highland malts distilleries use Caithness peat. http://www.gmforestry.com/products/kindling/caithness-peat.aspx Or google ‘peat Inverness’ there are loads of suppliers. It’s about £7 for 30kg. In US terms it’s about $8.50 for 66lb I’m not sure how international customs and shipping ...
by Stew8
Sat Nov 17, 2018 9:26 am
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: amaretto
Replies: 80
Views: 63560

Re: amaretto

Thanks for recipe, SWMBO is delighted ! :thumbup:
by Stew8
Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:26 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Fermenting with Lalvin EC1118
Replies: 19
Views: 10044

Re: Fermenting with Lalvin EC1118

At 21C and enough nutrient in a 30l bucket, I’m getting a bubble through the airlock every 3-5 seconds. Birdwatchers sugar wash uses tomato paste and it workes like a charm with ec1118. The ec1118 needs to be hydrated in water at 40c before making a starter according to the pdf below, https://www.mu...
by Stew8
Thu Nov 08, 2018 1:43 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Single malt whisky mashing help
Replies: 5
Views: 1638

Re: Single malt whisky mashing help

I’ve used propino with good results
The list of barley types is near the end of the article link below.
https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclope ... n-i-barley
Keep us posted
:thumbup:
by Stew8
Wed Oct 31, 2018 6:10 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 1711

Re: Yeast Advice

Scroll down the post below to taters reply. It’s everything you want to know about yeast. Facinating read
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2137
by Stew8
Mon Oct 08, 2018 12:17 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Lost my mother in law today
Replies: 30
Views: 3356

Re: Lost my mother in law today

So sorry for your loss, I hope you have fond memories to treasure
Humba guthle
by Stew8
Sun Oct 07, 2018 1:17 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Double barrel air cooled boka
Replies: 4
Views: 1776

Re: Double barrel air cooled boka

Thanks for the comments. The reason it works is that the water supply (tank and hose) freezes. The temperature difference is huge, with the ambient temps around zero freezing. I tried one Emma copper pipe but it was not enough hence the two pipes. The semi scientific view on using wire coils was a l...
by Stew8
Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:09 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Water in the summer, Air in the winter
Replies: 9
Views: 1610

Re: Water in the summer, Air in the winter

Hey Buda
I made a double barrelled air cooled condenser and attach a Liebig in the summer.
It needs to run slowly in the winter but it works.

If you want more photos send me a pm.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=70265
by Stew8
Sun Sep 30, 2018 1:25 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Fermenting temps?
Replies: 28
Views: 17052

Re: Fermenting temps?ul

Taters collection of yeast and fermentation is a fascinating read. Could it be linked or posted to the newbie section.
by Stew8
Sat Sep 22, 2018 1:51 am
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Yeast question from a homebrewer's perspective
Replies: 45
Views: 8405

Re: Yeast question from a homebrewer's perspective

It appears that if you’re using oak or wood to age the spirit; for flavour the wood used is the prime consideration based on experience, albeit limited, and scientific papers I’ve skimmed. https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=71873#p7536483 As mentioned above, my yeast selection i...
by Stew8
Thu Sep 20, 2018 7:52 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Yeast Nutrients
Replies: 64
Views: 19362

Re: Yeast Nutrients

A table spoon of marmite in a 23l /6 us gal. tub works in my sugar washes. There are some copies/own brands around that are not as pricey as marmite. It’s made from brewer yeast and is delicious on toast. You either love it or hate it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite Thanks for the recipes d...
by Stew8
Wed Sep 19, 2018 12:08 pm
Forum: Continuous Stripping stills
Topic: inline stripping flange
Replies: 99
Views: 38725

Re: inline stripping flange

Not had time to play, life is in the way but I’ll get there. It’s a cold dark winter in the frozen waste lands of the north
I’m sure some in the highlands may disagree.
by Stew8
Mon Sep 17, 2018 8:20 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Left over 3 inch Copper Pipe
Replies: 64
Views: 7425

Re: Left over 3 inch Copper Pipe

Hi Buda Like you I was given a scrap 3” and moved from a 1.5” and did not look back. I’ve had to upgrade the heating gas ring and it’s reduced my run time, by more than half. The take off %ABV dropped slightly but it’s not an issue, (for me) Fortunately the cooling of the first rig was overdesigned ...
by Stew8
Tue Sep 11, 2018 10:24 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Baked apple wash
Replies: 7
Views: 1926

Re: Baked apple wash

For the first run, I cut 8 apples in half added them to the boiler and the result is rather Apple-ly.
The first ferment, the apples were not caramelised. I can’t wait to do the next barrel.
I’ll keep you posted....
by Stew8
Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:27 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Raspberry Pi Temp Controller
Replies: 37
Views: 11666

Re: Raspberry Pi Temp Controller

This is the output from the first attempt - I'm really pleased. The glitch in temps as it was rising was becuase I needed to add something and turned it off and lifted the lid. Sensor 1 is at the top of the column Sensor 2 is the bottom just above the boiler Sensor 3 is ambient The yellow line alcoh...
by Stew8
Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:30 am
Forum: Rum
Topic: Storing Vanilla Beans
Replies: 9
Views: 1447

Re: Storing Vanilla Beans

Bought some in Bali and kept him in a plastic tub in a drawer and went mouldy and musty.. It’s worth checking on them now and then.
A sad day,,,,but I guess I’ll need to go back and buy some more... :D
by Stew8
Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:27 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Baked apple wash
Replies: 7
Views: 1926

Re: Baked apple wash

I’ll try it with the next batch -I’ve mountains of apples on the trees
Thanks for the suggestion Mr Cranky
by Stew8
Sat Sep 08, 2018 10:20 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Baked apple wash
Replies: 7
Views: 1926

Re: Baked apple wash

The apples were soft enough to mash easily. The sugar had caramelised and the smell was like mama’s apple pie.
I tipped it into a tub added water and bread yeast and it’s off like a rocket.
It’s got a really Apple pie smell....may take a week or so to ferment out.
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:51 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

:thumbup: thanks
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:41 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

Thanks again for the comments, advice and help
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:40 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

The new gas ring has more halved my warmup time. I think the burners with three gas controls rather than one offer more control when you’re at temp This is a stripping run and the photos shows the temps 89.9 is top of column started at 70% 50ml/min 91.6 is top of boiler not the liquid but the gas at...
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 4:19 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

Mea culpa. User error
There is a silver metal ring with the specs and approvals just at the gas control that blocks the airflow
By blocking the airflow the flames are yellow and all over the place
When unblocked have a hot blue flame at the same rate of gas flow
Perfect !

The burner is ideal
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 3:51 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

Thanks for all the help and yes I’ve just moved the electric cables. :thumbup:
The btu is around 27500 / 8kw.
What I meant by the size of the boiler keep it around 5gal but change it’s shape to be shorter and fatter. No ideas how to manage 55gal....

More photos to follow with a bit more data. :D
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:25 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Re: Burner too big or pot too small?

When it’s low it’s very yellow rather than blue and is easy to control.
The best lab is to compare against the “wee” one.
I’ll also keep an eye out for a larger diameter boiler, Something like a 55us/44uk gal drum is a tad big
Thanks for the prompt help
by Stew8
Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:01 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Burner too big or pot too small?
Replies: 14
Views: 2109

Burner too big or pot too small?

My gas burner was a camp stove and I thought I’d upgrade. The boiler is a stainless 5 gal milk churn.
Flames coming up the sides is not ideal and that’s only turned on about 3/4
Burner too big or pot too small?
by Stew8
Fri Aug 31, 2018 9:46 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Baked apple wash
Replies: 7
Views: 1926

Baked apple wash

I’ve loads of apples and rather than make cider from apple juice, (crushing and pressing) I thought if I popped the apples in a oven (the aga is in all the time), let them soften and caramelise, into a fermentor with sugar and use a paint paddle to mush them up, may work.
What do you think?
by Stew8
Thu Aug 30, 2018 10:09 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Failed wash x 2!
Replies: 36
Views: 2556

Re: Failed wash x 2!

I had a 5 kg 25 marmite wash stall at about 1020 from 1080. By adding more marmite (nutrient) it kicked it ha k to life.
by Stew8
Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:09 am
Forum: Continuous Stripping stills
Topic: inline stripping flange
Replies: 99
Views: 38725

Re: inline stripping flange

Just ordered a 9kw gas ring.
by Stew8
Wed Aug 29, 2018 4:13 am
Forum: Continuous Stripping stills
Topic: inline stripping flange
Replies: 99
Views: 38725

Re: inline stripping flange

In theory this works, I built it and it failed :( ..and in hind sight it’s obvious - not enough heat....so I’ve disassembled it to play with on a rainy day. In my view here is the crux of the problem; (sorry it’s metric) if you’re collecting say 60ml a minute at 80% ABV that’s about 50ml a minute at...
by Stew8
Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:15 am
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: Where is the cheapest place to distill
Replies: 6
Views: 2993

Re: Where is the cheapest place to distill

The Canary Islands look good....