Search found 239 matches

by GreenEnvy22
Mon Oct 16, 2023 4:58 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First run for a year, new location
Replies: 4
Views: 395

Re: First run for a year, new location

The condenser has taken all I can throw at it so far (4500W). It's 1/2" inner pipe, 3/4 outer, split into two. The level gauge is currently a silicon hose (with some cut pex behind it for support and labeling), which I know isn't recommended in a still, but I figure it's out of the vapour path,...
by GreenEnvy22
Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:09 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First run for a year, new location
Replies: 4
Views: 395

First run for a year, new location

I've not distilled anything for about a year, when I distilled some apple cider I'd made from our apple tree, I'd only done a stripping run on it, and kept it stored since then. I've been mostly making beer since then. A few weeks ago I picked our muscat grapes, about 225lbs worth, and made 45L of w...
by GreenEnvy22
Sun Mar 20, 2022 4:04 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: What do you DO when you aren't mashing/stilling??
Replies: 65
Views: 4175

Re: What do you DO when you aren't mashing/stilling??

When not playing with the kids or doing other family stuff, I also grow a decent sized veggie garden (10 4x10 raised beds) with my wife. We can/preserve a lot of stuff like Salsa's, tomato sauce, pickled veggies, jams, and other stuff. I grow lots of hot peppers and make hot sauce from them, dry som...
by GreenEnvy22
Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:33 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Another -Fill A barrel- question
Replies: 8
Views: 735

Re: Another -Fill A barrel- question

Thanks guys, I'll definately try a gumball, never done one before but it makes sense to get more use from the grains. If I had more freezer space, I would save all of the spent grains from beer making too, and use those as well, as it is now I just give them to my cousin who has chickens, or make th...
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:18 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Another -Fill A barrel- question
Replies: 8
Views: 735

Re: Another -Fill A barrel- question

ok, glad to know I'm in the right ballpark. I also found a place nearby selling once filled 6.2 gallon bourbon barrels for about the same price as a new 5 gallon. That may be an interesting option too, get some extra flavour from whatever was in it before, but losing some of that new barrel flavour ...
by GreenEnvy22
Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:59 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Another -Fill A barrel- question
Replies: 8
Views: 735

Another -Fill A barrel- question

Hi all. I've made 8-10 different spirits now (and dozens of 5-gallons all grain beers), mostly all grain whiskies, some grappa/brandy (we have grapes and apple trees). So somewhat experienced now, but not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I have a pot still (50L), and a 30 gallon stainles...
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:06 am
Forum: New distiller reading Lounge
Topic: Heating element turned black
Replies: 18
Views: 2800

Re: Heating element turned black

141F037F-A10A-49AC-887C-AE4AF82FDDB9.jpeg Yep it’s a pid. That looks like it would be easy to swap out. With any luck the mounting cut out will work. I’ll check on that. Also included the element all cleaned up now after the sacrificial run. Thanks to everyone for the reply’s and info Ps.. I colore...
by GreenEnvy22
Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:18 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Sight level with silicone hose
Replies: 12
Views: 1554

Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Dancing4dan wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:36 pm Use a piece of hose on your boiler drain valve to check boiler volume during a run. Attach to your drain valve, hold the other end up to get a reading. Blow back into the boiler and close the valve.

I use this same idea to add liquid to a boiler mid run through a chugged pump.
Simple, I like it.
by GreenEnvy22
Fri Nov 26, 2021 9:29 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Sight level with silicone hose
Replies: 12
Views: 1554

Sight level with silicone hose

I'm working on a new build, and I want a way of being able to see how much liquid is in my boiler. Both for measuring (also make beer) and for ensuring I have liquid above my element. My old (beer only) setup had a 90 degree elbow coming out the side of the kettle, then a glass tube with markings on...
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:09 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hello from Ont. Canada
Replies: 6
Views: 299

Re: Hello from Ont. Canada

Hi from Niagara
by GreenEnvy22
Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:46 am
Forum: Fruit and grain season is here
Topic: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness
Replies: 2586
Views: 229552

Re: Lets get carried away with fruity goodness

We got about 170 lbs of apples/pears from our 3 trees. I froze them for a week and then thawed and pressed in my wine press, got 48L. I'm fermenting it now and will probably keep 20L as cider, and distill the rest. I also figured why not try to get even more from them, so I dumped all the pressed ap...
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Grape pomace and corn?
Replies: 10
Views: 724

Re: Grape pomace and corn?

Thanks for the replies. I'll holdoff a bit and try to use it with the leftovers from my apples/pears when I make cider from those.
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:05 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Grape pomace and corn?
Replies: 10
Views: 724

Grape pomace and corn?

I have some leftover muscat pomace ( fresh, not fermented yet). Not enough to do a whole batch of just that (I have a 5gal bucket full), but too much to freeze. I usually have way more grape pomace and I make grappa from it, but decided not to make as much wine this year, so not much pomace. So look...
by GreenEnvy22
Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:07 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hi from Canada!
Replies: 8
Views: 612

Re: Hi from Canada!

Hi from near Niagara falls, welcome aboard.
Je ne parle pas francais :) That's one of the few things I somewhat remember from school.
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Jun 21, 2021 5:38 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Fusti / Milk Can / Olive Oil can as boiler
Replies: 7
Views: 1057

Re: Fusti / Milk Can / Olive Oil can as boiler

Thanks for input folks. I'll post a followup if I get one of these.
by GreenEnvy22
Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:19 pm
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Grape Brandy - Cabernet & Blackbery
Replies: 10
Views: 958

Re: Grape Brandy - Cabernet & Blackbery

9542FCDC-A8EB-4D2F-B7F5-BB4826942831.jpeg I made some grappa/brandy last year from leftover Muscat and Syrah/Shiraz grapes (I make wine so might as well use the leftovers). The Muscat was fresh (not fermented) pomace, about 35 lbs, from our own grapes. I aged in glass with two 1"x1.5"x6&q...
by GreenEnvy22
Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:26 am
Forum: Fruits & Vegetables
Topic: Grape Brandy - Cabernet & Blackbery
Replies: 10
Views: 958

Re: Grape Brandy - Cabernet & Blackbery

I made some grappa/brandy last year from leftover Muscat and Syrah/Shiraz grapes (I make wine so might as well use the leftovers). The Muscat was fresh (not fermented) pomace, about 35 lbs, from our own grapes. The Syrah was left over pumice from a batch of Wine I had made, so already fermented, tha...
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Jun 14, 2021 11:24 am
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Fusti / Milk Can / Olive Oil can as boiler
Replies: 7
Views: 1057

Fusti / Milk Can / Olive Oil can as boiler

I see a couple threads over the years asking about this, but not much feedback from anyone who's actually used one. So looking for input from users who have one of these as their boiler. There are two main types. Fusti tanks have a screw on lid: 311MiMdloHL._SX466_.jpg Milk/Olive oil style have 2 or...
by GreenEnvy22
Fri May 21, 2021 5:45 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Oat all grain, corn or no?
Replies: 17
Views: 3923

Re: Oat all grain, corn or no?

So 6 weeks into aging, this is developing well. It has a distinct nose, palate, and finish. There is some oatmeal and brown sugar on the palate. Still some new make on the nose. I proofed it down to 50% for tasting.
by GreenEnvy22
Sun May 09, 2021 5:50 pm
Forum: Tried and True Recipes
Topic: Rye bread whiskey
Replies: 478
Views: 147783

Re: Rye bread whiskey

So some whisky buddies and I sampled some of this recently, now that it's been on oak a few months.
We got very strong Christmas fruitcake on the nose and pallet. I think we proofed it down to about 45% for that tasting.
I'm happy with it, will give it a few more months and try it again.
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:42 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot
Replies: 19
Views: 1625

Re: Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot

Maybe my first post sounded ignorant but you’re asking distillers and beer makers what you should do with a big metal vessel. IMO a better topic would be “Look what I did with this” instead of what should I do with this. You’ve obviously been here a while, certainly longer than me, show us new guys...
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:06 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot
Replies: 19
Views: 1625

Re: Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot

Maybe my first post sounded ignorant but you’re asking distillers and beer makers what you should do with a big metal vessel. IMO a better topic would be “Look what I did with this” instead of what should I do with this. You’ve obviously been here a while, certainly longer than me, show us new guys...
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:55 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot
Replies: 19
Views: 1625

Trying to figure out a use for this barrel/pot

In the fall a friend dropped off a bunch of apple juice from his apple trees and I turned it into cider for him. He came over today and we bottled it, and he gave me this as a thankyou. Trying to figure out what to best use it for. I think it's too large to be of use to me as a boiler, I have a 16 g...
by GreenEnvy22
Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:19 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738323

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

IMG-20210409-WA0000.jpeg
After cuts, about 6L @ 66%.
Another 4L of feints.
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:08 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738323

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

did 2 more stripping runs today, and then the spirit run.
Sprit run started with 5.6 gallons @ 39%. Collected 12L across 30 jars. Will do cuts tomorrow.
I recorded the % and temp from top of the column every 1L collected, makes an interesting graph:
spiritrun1.PNG
by GreenEnvy22
Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:07 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738323

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Stripped the first 9 gallons of my 27 gallons of oat whiskey. Got about 1.5 gallons at 41%.

IMG-20210407-WA0006.jpeg
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Oat all grain, corn or no?
Replies: 17
Views: 3923

Re: Oat all grain, corn or no?

IMG_20210405_105654_2.jpg
Pressed this in my wine press today, collected 29 gallons. I'll likely split this into 3 stripping runs, as my still maxes out at 16 gallons, and don't want to risk running it at 14.5 gallons full.
by GreenEnvy22
Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:39 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Oat all grain, corn or no?
Replies: 17
Views: 3923

Re: Oat all grain, corn or no?

So not sure if it's the distillers yeast or the enzymes, but this has fermented down way better than any all grain I've done before, now at 1.003.
Not quite as good as my wines usually do (0.994-0.996) but a lot better than the 1.01-1.02 I often get.
by GreenEnvy22
Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:11 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Anyone ever ferment in a green house?
Replies: 18
Views: 5184

Re: Anyone ever ferment in a green house?

plants do seem to love the CO2, everything is growing well.
IMG_20210330_194513.jpg
by GreenEnvy22
Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:55 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Vinegar cleaning - what is it doing?
Replies: 4
Views: 881

Re: Vinegar cleaning - what is it doing?

Yep as deplorable said, 244 may be pure vinegar boiling point, but a mixture like you made is much lower. Lots of vinegar would have evaporated and the acid in it will have cleaned off oils and other chemicals that may be in the vapour path.