Home Distiller

hello in my neighborhood is a very little quince tree, i already made a proper ferment last year with the fruits, this stuff tastes amazing. But this year, it had very few fruits, like 1 Kg or so. So i thougt about trying a maceration. I read already, but maybe someone can help to do it right: I hav...

Thank you so much, then it was to little grain, problem solved. I thougt, the gravity reading at end of fermentation should be possible, as my "beer" was quite clear, but well... PH was about 4 (strips) at end, just with shells, but they where all gone, i have now some marble slab to put i...

So my first YLAY wash kind of stalled at 1.01. (started Oct. 04.) I tried different things, like raising the temperature, and even adding some bakers yeast. I ran it anyway, no big deal, maybe lost some yeald (one strip to go, i guess i will have about 13/15 Liters of low wines + lots of "sweet...

Ok, i will see how the grain bed looks like when it's finished, then i will decide. Worst thing to happen would be that there is not much taste in it, isn't it? But maybe you're right, the process with YLAY is so easy, it's not worth wasting the time, better start a new batch with fresh malt. If i d...

so i finally also joined the "YLAY-Club" :-) so far, everything works fine, there's just a bit of strange smell in the ferment kind of sour, but i guess it's normal, as i read in this thread. Just one question, i read the hole tread back an forth, but don't remeber or find the answer again...

mind you: there ist most probably not enough space for a 6" ferrule next to the original hole on top of the keg (the clamp takes also a lot of space!)
Maybe it's possible, but i'm not sure.

i asked some treads bevore about plums, voila, i called the farmer of my choice if he's got some plums. And yes, he said there is one tree that a storm just has broken down some days bevore, i can have all the plums for a small tip if i pick them myself, whitch was easy as the tree was more or less ...

I have 2 questions about fruits: 1. I can buy fresh pressed apple juice locally (in autumm). How much would i need for my 50 l keg still to have 3 strip/1 spirit run? For ex., if i make rum, i go with 3x 35 l = 105 liters total, i get about 25 liters low wines, thats perfect for a spirit run. Is the...

would granite work also? I just was at a stone-working place, and they don't have any marble, can't belive it, they make lots of kitchen tops, but only granite.

No way in hell I’d be nearby when he pulls that trigger. I grew up on Looney Tunes, and I KNOW what’s about to happen! Damn me! I didn’t know Acme made rifles! The gun is supposed to shoot dynamit, but it will most probably explode inside the gun! Btw: these guys are on the ledge of a high cliff......

one day later it's the same proof. I have a store brought unopened absinthe with 70%, would that be fine to "calibrate" my hydrometer? I know that "stuff" in the likker (like sugar or whatever) can throw off the measering. it just doesn't let me sleep, well well, i will buy anoth...

Im just off to much, i just did another test: start 0.6 liter with 70 %, calculater says to add 0.1 liter water, should be 60% (note: in the one liter vessel, the sample is "missing"!), i get 63 %, well not so much off, but still 1/3. i even pour a little in the vial, because there is alwa...

What am i doing wrong, i just don't get it: had 4 liters with 74 % alcohol, 2 different calculaters say: add 0.55 liter water, should get 65 % alcohol, total volume 4.55 liter. but i measure now 70 % (used distilled water, even checked the hydrometer with tap- and distilled water, both show 0 % with...

just a quick question, didn't want to open a new topic: i have 105 liters of rum wash, it's running since 2 weeks, (30 liters molasses and 2 kg raw sugar, total volume 105 liters, sould be 9.5 % alcohol) first 3 days, it was fermenting very fast at around 32 celsius, then temperatur dropped to aroun...

So, if 5500 watts are not possible, i would be happy with 2x 3800 Watt elements on two separate circuits (more expenses, "uff"). But i will wait if my friend has a solution with the 5500 watt element that i already have. For the moment, i will insulate the boiler and see how much improveme...

Thank you for the quick answers, i hope he can install it now. I admitt: I don't have a clue, but my friend certainly has! Thats why i let him do it. I think Yummyrum is right, it sounds we have the same wiring, old houses are ratet 10A, newer houses, like where i live 16A. The "single line fro...

as the title says: i have a 5500 W heating element, rated for 240 Volts. now my electrician is a bit confused (i my self have not much knowledge anyway): here in Europe, 240 Volts have 16 Amp fuse, but this seems not to work, my friend said it needs minimum 400 Volt and about 22 Amps. So my question...

Got some nice bottles in different sizes. one had about 3 liters spirit in it, the label says: plum, 2016, 53 %, couldn't resist to try it, it tastes very good, and smooth, even at 53 %. (Would YOU drink it, i guess I will ... ?) And there is one plastic canister, i guess it's heads, no label on it,...

Controller box finished (didn't test it yet, i'm waiting for approvement from an friend who is electric expert) The wooden box took me a while, but i love doing stuff like that. The wiring was easy. Little detail: The box is from a well known spirit producer :D I have also the black control box ment...

This guy was f...ing kidding me! Look what he brought to me TODAY, just a few hours after i brought the stuff to him. No warping whatsoever! For me it looks perfect. Of course i have to test for leaks, we will see. I just have to passivate the weldings, any tips for that? I'm searching the web for a...

Thanks for the tips, i gave them to him, and gently asked if i should ask someone else....

yesterday, i brought the keg to the welder. He warned me, that the 6" ferrule could (or will) warp. TIG welding. Do you think it really will happend? Is there a better way than TIG welding? Or should i find another better welder? My first choice is more of a "hobby" welder, besides he...

oh well then, i will need a band saw on my shopping list... just kidding. The holes for the elements are drilled, as well for the 6" cleaning port, (watch the space if you are doing this, so you have enough place for the clamps between the 2" und 6"!! Someone had a problem with this, ...

tank you MoosMan, does it need a fan?

Another question: Can i use this to control a 2500 Watt heating element? I would install a van to its side.

THAT'S what these bends a for *hahahah* (not only, i know, also for reducing the lenght) i didn't think about that.

Thank you so much, glad i did ask bevore drilling the holes!

i want to install 2 heating elements in my 50 liter beer keg, one as deep down as possible, of course, and the second on top of it. Where would you reccomend this? Direct on top, or in a 90 degrees angle? Is there any difference? I thought i ask bevore i drill the holes for the elements.... Thank you

i'm finally planning on building a bigger still, my plan is: Pot still with 50 l beer keg, liebig about 1'200 mm long (better 1'400 mm?) 22 mm inner diameter, 28 mm outer tube, 5'500 watt internal heating element with SCR controller. Are my numbers correct? I think i read here, stripping can be don...

i'm finally planning on building a bigger still, my plan is: Pot still with 50 l beer keg, liebig about 1'200 mm long (better 1'400 mm?) 22 mm inner diameter, 28 mm outer tube, 5'500 watt internal heating element with SCR controller. Are my numbers correct? I think i read here, stripping can be don...

i'm finally planning on building a bigger still, my plan is: Pot still with 50 l beer keg, liebig about 1'200 mm long (better 1'400 mm?) 22 mm inner diameter, 28 mm outer tube, 5'500 watt internal heating element with SCR controller. Are my numbers correct? I think i read here, stripping can be done...