Search found 232 matches

by ThomasBrewer
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:42 am
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: A bit of good news for home distilling
Replies: 54
Views: 8437

Re: A bit of good news for home distilling

It really comes down to the old wisdom of "don't commit two felonies at the same time". Don't invite LEO over to your home by doing other stupid stuff (selling liquor, beating your spouse, etc.).
by ThomasBrewer
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:53 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Can a boiler have too much head room?
Replies: 10
Views: 651

Re: Can a boiler have too much head room?

The extra headspace can be very useful if your wash decides to foam up during the stripping run!
by ThomasBrewer
Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:13 am
Forum: Continuous Stripping stills
Topic: Positive displacement pumps for continuous
Replies: 38
Views: 1814

Re: Positive displacement pumps for continuous

Any insights on perstaltic pumps for this application? are they a good choice @lwtcs? I'm not sure if he's a member here, but user "tight" on YouTube has some good information about tubing material/flowrates/longitivy using peristaltic pumps. [utube]https://youtu.be/l6k6p6_Lx5w?[/utube]
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:30 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Methanol
Replies: 59
Views: 3072

Re: Methanol

I think it's important to differentiate the batch distillation that most hobbyists and small distilleries do, versus continous distillation where methanol-containing wash is continously introduced. With a judicious heads cut during batch distillation, methanol is almost entirely removed. Continous d...
by ThomasBrewer
Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:51 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Methanol
Replies: 59
Views: 3072

Re: Methanol

Methanol doesn't form azeotropes with water or any of the common yeast metabolites so there's no reason to believe it has any substantial presence in the run after reaching 78C. I'm not sure where the disinformation began, but it needs to end. It’s not a ridiculous thing to say. There’s investigati...
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Jan 02, 2024 9:29 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Methanol
Replies: 59
Views: 3072

Re: Methanol

Methanol doesn't form azeotropes with water or any of the common yeast metabolites so there's no reason to believe it has any substantial presence in the run after reaching 78C. I'm not sure where the disinformation began, but it needs to end.
by ThomasBrewer
Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:41 pm
Forum: Boilers
Topic: Heating this still
Replies: 3
Views: 494

Re: Heating this still

A separate hotplate, controlled with a router speed control works well for this type of application. You can find the controller at most big-box hardware stores in the US. Menards - Variable Speed Controller for Power Tools at Menards® https://www.menards.com/main/tools/power-tools/routers/variable-...
by ThomasBrewer
Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:33 pm
Forum: Steam Mashing and Distilling
Topic: Yummy’s Steam generator
Replies: 36
Views: 1717

Re: Yummy’s Steam generator

Since steam baths have become very popular in the last few years, there are a bunch of commercial steam generators with safety controls and whatnot, available for under $300.
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:53 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: Something Happened With This Ferment
Replies: 6
Views: 459

Re: Something Happened With This Ferment

LAB and spore-forming bacilli are able to survive the mashing process and are very common on malts. If you've got the ability, mashing-out at 170F after saccharification can really help with that. I like to mash on the thick side, and then cold sparge to help bring the temp down to pitching range.
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Troubles running my new CM still
Replies: 74
Views: 5912

Re: Troubles running my new CM still

I've never seen a perf plate with a bubble cap as a downcomer vapor lock. Definitely an interesting hybrid.
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:47 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Troubles running my new CM still
Replies: 74
Views: 5912

Re: Troubles running my new CM still

Folks, he already explained in the OP that he ran his cooling flow at 100%, brought the power up, and was only able to increase the power to the point the the plates were "sputtering". He needs more cooling power, but the RC he currently has isn't up to the task with the temperature and fl...
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:36 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Cremated remains as…. Yeast nutrient??
Replies: 13
Views: 790

Re: Cremated remains as…. Yeast nutrient??

The calcium phosphates would sparingly dissolve in acidic backset.
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:57 am
Forum: Other Hobbies and Projects
Topic: Photography
Replies: 11
Views: 1072

Re: Photography

Make something like this to attach to a drill and blend it into a pourable slurry.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/thre ... 971/page-2
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:58 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Peltier Device ( TEC) discussion for condensers
Replies: 22
Views: 1005

Re: Peltier Device ( TEC) discussion for condensers

You need an even bigger cooler on the other side of the Peltier to keep it working. You not only move the heat from the "cold side", you also have some resistive heat from powering the module that gets added to the hot side. I think this rule is about chemistry but it seems to apply here ...
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:56 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Ferrule not fitting with gasket
Replies: 9
Views: 640

Re: Ferrule not fitting with gasket

Opdog wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2023 12:57 pm I just took a close look at that picture. As D4D mentioned it is hard to tell how you flanged the riser. Another pic of the end of the pipe might help us help you.
Agreed. I assumed he had an actual ferrule on the column.
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Nov 14, 2023 6:23 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Ferrule not fitting with gasket
Replies: 9
Views: 640

Re: Ferrule not fitting with gasket

IMO, the best way to fix that is to solder a 2" ferrule into the keg coupler and use a regular triclamp gasket. A 2" ferrule will drop right in.
by ThomasBrewer
Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:23 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Anybody get any good deals lately?
Replies: 2882
Views: 274471

Re: Anybody get any good deals lately?

Someone posted these on one of the brewing groups recently. They let you convert some of the more fun bottles (or cheap beer bottles) into flip top. Neat idea.

by ThomasBrewer
Fri Nov 03, 2023 2:02 pm
Forum: What Not To Use/Do
Topic: Aquarium Heater Danger
Replies: 52
Views: 8429

Re: Aquarium Heater Danger

I use aquarium heaters in my washes since getting an infection isn't a big deal. I use the built-in thermostat, and that seems to work pretty well. Their intended use is fish, and fish are pretty picky about even a few degrees swing. For beers, since I don't want to introduce bugs, I wrap the vessel...
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Nov 02, 2023 4:01 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Peltier Device ( TEC) discussion for condensers
Replies: 22
Views: 1005

Re: Peltier Device ( TEC) discussion for condensers

You need an even bigger cooler on the other side of the Peltier to keep it working. You not only move the heat from the "cold side", you also have some resistive heat from powering the module that gets added to the hot side.
by ThomasBrewer
Sun Oct 22, 2023 6:23 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Volt amp meters
Replies: 68
Views: 4095

Re: Volt amp meters

If you use something like the Auber DSPR220 distillation controller, a panel meter is sort of superfluous. You tell it what percent of the boil element power you want to use, and it outputs an appropriate duty cycle. If you set it to 20% while connected to a 5500W element, you can be reasonably cert...
by ThomasBrewer
Wed May 24, 2023 8:23 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Seen on tv
Replies: 61
Views: 9667

Re: Seen on tv

Seems like a clever way to cook your lunch while doing a run. 😆
by ThomasBrewer
Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: I hate when you guys are right! 😂
Replies: 16
Views: 1013

Re: I hate when you guys are right! 😂

Steve - If putting an element into your boiler is daunting, you can use a hot plate set to high (so the internal thermostat doesn't operate) and regulate the output with a "router speed control" properly rated to 15A or more. I will caution that all hotplates aren't even in terms of qualit...
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Mar 28, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?
Replies: 45
Views: 2646

Re: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?

Yes Steve I found something similar, but I was thinking about something like this, you see the bolts on the ferrule base? Clipboard02.jpg He's mounting the ferrule upside down and attaching it with small bolts, but claims to have a welder that's able to permanently connect the lid to the pot. Why o...
by ThomasBrewer
Tue Mar 28, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?
Replies: 45
Views: 2646

Re: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?

Depending on how big your forearms are, 4" fittings are often big enough to get your arm in there to clean things out. I'd strongly suggest not going with an odd-ball size like 5" and trying to find reducers and fittings to match. As Yummy said, 4" or 6" are common sizes. There'...
by ThomasBrewer
Mon Mar 27, 2023 8:47 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?
Replies: 45
Views: 2646

Re: Screwing the ferrule to the pot lid?

Depending on how big your forearms are, 4" fittings are often big enough to get your arm in there to clean things out. I'd strongly suggest not going with an odd-ball size like 5" and trying to find reducers and fittings to match. As Yummy said, 4" or 6" are common sizes.
by ThomasBrewer
Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:58 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Canadian supplier of a controller
Replies: 15
Views: 920

Re: Canadian supplier of a controller

Canuckwoods wrote: Sat Feb 18, 2023 3:42 pm unfortunately, I need 20 amp.
Canuck - There are 20A versions as well. They're a little more pricey.

https://a.co/d/j7JGw5e
by ThomasBrewer
Sat Feb 18, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Canadian supplier of a controller
Replies: 15
Views: 920

Re: Canadian supplier of a controller

If you're sticking to 120v and 15A max, these speed controls work great. If you've got an indoor gardening shop nearby, they probably sell the same thing for controlling exhaust fans.

https://a.co/d/gCrQti2

Image
by ThomasBrewer
Thu Feb 09, 2023 8:55 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Thumper Drain back….?
Replies: 3
Views: 459

Re: Thumper Drain back….?

Cap'n - I've never seen something like that. A photo might help.
by ThomasBrewer
Fri Feb 03, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: No Mash No sugar
Replies: 819
Views: 107676

Re: No Mash No sugar

BUT. what I’m real excited to try is bananas. I did a search and saw a mention early on in the thread about angel bread improver being used for them but no yellow label. If anyone else is interested, I’ll write up my process and the results when I finish up with the rice and corn bags I got. I woul...
by ThomasBrewer
Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:23 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: No Mash No sugar
Replies: 819
Views: 107676

Re: No Mash No sugar

What's the best process with wheat flour? Are folks simply mixing it with warm water, or are you bringing it to gelatinization temp? I have a couple bags of expired flour that I'd love to try this stuff on.