Search found 68 matches

by Alkyholik
Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:44 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm
Replies: 11
Views: 755

Re: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm

Getting great results now. Just got 5 litres of about 80% average ABV of neutrals from 3 runs.did stripping runs then a slow spirit run. Turned out really nice! I can't imagine drinking any of it without stripping it 1st lol. I'm keen to try doing a grain mash or something but dont know where to buy...
by Alkyholik
Sat Nov 07, 2020 6:58 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

Alkyholik, With a 25kg bag of malted barley, you could add a couple of 25 kg bags of corn and make a great bourbon. But you’ll have to learn how to mash the grains. So you better start reading right away. I know....it’s much easier to ask us and have us do your homework, but it is really time you o...
by Alkyholik
Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:07 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

Another thing worth trying is using a recipe that contains some grains, as they help a lot with buffering. Do you have a reflux still, or just a pot still? If you're trying to pot-still something as neutral as possible, the sugar washes are good, but if you don't mind a mild grain character from po...
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:48 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

Chris Ive just bought some crushed oyster shells online so will see how I get on with it. I will give making a yeast starter/bomb another go for next wash I reckon. I have to say I find it a bit weird that folk say do not stress the yeast, then the same folk boil their water n add yeast to it etc. I...
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:48 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

Martincash yeah every wash seems to stall nearly at about the 1.020 level for some reason and its confounding the hell outta me. I end up adding more dap and yeast to get it going again. Can I ask,for a 23ltr wash how much dap would you guys add? I throw in a few vitamin B complex tablets as 2well. ...
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 8:21 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Are these stills as bad as some people say?
Replies: 43
Views: 3391

Re: Are these stills as bad as some people say?

In general yes RevA. I've done 4 runs now and I get quite high % abv and after my spirit run the alcohol is quite good (after doing cuts). I might have a few drinks tonight hopefully
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 8:19 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

I just bought sodium bicarbonate and added a half tsp and a little yeast and its back to bubbling away. Ph meter is ordered
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 7:42 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast bomb making
Replies: 16
Views: 1665

Re: Yeast bomb making

See my other post. Yes they're decreasing not increasing. Shady its your recipe I'm doing. What can I add besides oyster shells as I can't get any
by Alkyholik
Fri Nov 06, 2020 7:35 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Re: Ph levels keep rising in wash

Sorry,when I said they're increasing they must actually be decreasing as I used the litmus strips until I can get a meter and they're changing to a dark colour. I'm colour blind lol so I cant distinguish between the darker colours so stupidly presumed it was high(wrongly). So,presuming the levels ar...
by Alkyholik
Thu Nov 05, 2020 11:00 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Ph levels keep rising in wash
Replies: 21
Views: 1705

Ph levels keep rising in wash

I've done a few successful washes now but 1 thing I keep getting is rising ph levels. I've bought ph strips to keep an eye on them.can anyone give me advice on how to keep levels down low enough or what they add to it to drop the ph? I have added a lemon like recipe suggested but level still seems t...
by Alkyholik
Thu Nov 05, 2020 10:56 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast bomb making
Replies: 16
Views: 1665

Re: Yeast bomb making

It seems to be my ph that keeps rising that stops my fermentation. I've ordered a meter so I can keep an eye on it
by Alkyholik
Thu Nov 05, 2020 10:22 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast bomb making
Replies: 16
Views: 1665

Re: Yeast bomb making

I'm particularly interested in those who are boiling their yeast and making a starter that way. Anyone tell me how they do it? Here's my "yeast bomb" for a 20 gallon sugar wash I use yeast that has been boiled, epsom salt, multi-vitamins and DAP Bring a pan of water to a rolling boil, tur...
by Alkyholik
Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:16 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast bomb making
Replies: 16
Views: 1665

Re: Yeast bomb making

Cheers Chris. Up til now I've always just added half and sprinkled half of my yeast on top of wash. Sorry when you say 2 or 3 times the quantity do you just mean 2 or 3 times the amount of yeast only? Plus when you say follow manufacturers instructions that's kinda difficult because its for making l...
by Alkyholik
Tue Nov 03, 2020 10:52 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Are these stills as bad as some people say?
Replies: 43
Views: 3391

Re: Are these stills as bad as some people say?

Well,from my chinese still I just ended up after 2 x 20l sugar washes with 3.5 litres of 100 proof vodka/very nice neutral.
Well impressed for a newcomer!
(Thru my spirit run it ran from 76 odd % ABV down to 40 odd).
by Alkyholik
Tue Nov 03, 2020 10:45 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Yeast bomb making
Replies: 16
Views: 1665

Yeast bomb making

Can anyone tell me their way of making a yeast bomb?
by Alkyholik
Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:01 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm
Replies: 11
Views: 755

Re: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm

No. Boiler to top hole then from lower hole to coil Yes this occurred to me earlier on as well about doing it the other way. But something tells me I'm going to have problems doing it like in that pic for some reason. Someone else said it's not a true thumper and maybe better not to use it as one. I...
by Alkyholik
Sun Nov 01, 2020 5:00 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still
Replies: 37
Views: 18350

Re: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still

Saltbush Bill wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2020 3:27 am Less time begging and groveling ....and more time using your brain will get you further.
If you don't like the Forum rules feel free to move right along.
Take this as friendly advice to help you understand how things work here.
No problem cheers
by Alkyholik
Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:12 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Are these stills as bad as some people say?
Replies: 43
Views: 3391

Re: Are these stills as bad as some people say?

Well,anyway. To anyone that's thinking of buying 1 just to get going I say go for it. 2.7l of 50 odd to 60odd % out of mines last night and have 2 more sugar washes on the go for it again. Will definitely buy or make a better 1 in the future tho
by Alkyholik
Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:05 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still
Replies: 37
Views: 18350

Re: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still

I grovel before you,writhing on the ground,begging forgiveness lol
by Alkyholik
Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:05 am
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still
Replies: 37
Views: 18350

Re: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still

Yummyrum wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:10 am
Alkyholik wrote: Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:53 pm Btw the seals are all food grade silicon.
Well thats one good reason not to buy it right there .
Some folk are too picky lol. I'd drink liquer out a shitey cloot haha. Someone else put up something about the seals the guy uses. They're totally safe seemingly. I'm not worried in the slightest
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:53 pm
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still
Replies: 37
Views: 18350

Re: Hello Everyone! -Notsoproud owner of Chinese Still

You been sold a pup, maybe its ok for oils but thats about it. A good copper pot still built yourself will give you change out of a 100 bux and there it no paper trail for revenuers to chase up I have this exact same still and yesterday it worked brilliantly. 1st stripping run yesterday produced 2....
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:45 pm
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: new guy looking for a still
Replies: 2
Views: 7869

Re: new guy looking for a still

Did you end up with one?
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:21 pm
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Pot Still Progress
Replies: 17
Views: 3309

Re: Pot Still Progress

20201101_071923.jpg
Can I ask where you got these parts from
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:04 pm
Forum: Stills and still building information
Topic: Chinese still worth it?
Replies: 10
Views: 2438

Re: Chinese still worth it?

I just did my 1st wash with a similar still from china and worked great. Mines is a 3 pot version. I posted about it asking if they were any good, before I did my 1st wash.
From 18l I got 2.7l of fair neutral alcohol
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm
Replies: 11
Views: 755

Re: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm

How about a picture if your still . As they say , a picture tells a thousand words . Or saves a thousand guesses Theres a pic on 1st post. It's not a super expensive 1 or anything but it does the job. I'm looking for a better 1 but cant seem to find anything that's not chinese(same as I have!). I w...
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 2:12 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm
Replies: 11
Views: 755

Re: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm

I know what you're saying when you say about the numbers seeming fishy. My mate who was here just said my highest number was 64% not 70%. But I too think the numbers didnt add upto what I've read before but those are the numbers. I have the 3 jars here and can take pics or a video of those numbers i...
by Alkyholik
Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:33 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm
Replies: 11
Views: 755

Just did my 1st stripping run. Hmmm

I had about 18L of sugar wash that was about 10.5% I put it through a stripping run. Strange thing or 2 happened. Firstly, nothing came out till about 86 deg C (from the Chinese thermometer on the pot lid!), then when it started to dribble, it went quite well. Threw away the 1st 150ml of foreshots, ...
by Alkyholik
Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:53 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Go to neutral wash?
Replies: 27
Views: 2631

Re: Go to neutral wash?

IDPotatohead wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2020 4:13 pm Wow. This recipe from shady is voracious. Within an hour or so of pitching yeast it was vigorously boiling away.
And quick to drop too. Making recipe day 1.085 day 2 1.040
by Alkyholik
Thu Oct 29, 2020 2:21 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Anyone sell stills?
Replies: 2
Views: 517

Re: Anyone sell stills?

I'm in the uk. If anyone can message me if ya get my meaning
by Alkyholik
Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:50 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Anyone sell stills?
Replies: 2
Views: 517

Anyone sell stills?

Does any of the old timers on here actually make and sell stills on here? Is it allowed?