Search found 612 matches

by elbono
Sat Apr 06, 2024 2:33 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Now that distillation is becoming legal in WV
Replies: 28
Views: 3287

Re: Now that distillation is becoming legal in WV

I guess I'm above average in TN, my gripe is that bar just keeps getting easier to jump over.

Those "Tennessee thumpers" work great because they have a dope tik tok showing them doing their stuff!
by elbono
Sat Apr 06, 2024 12:52 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Now that distillation is becoming legal in WV
Replies: 28
Views: 3287

Re: Now that distillation is becoming legal in WV

Let me first say, no disrespect intended in the following... I suspect you want this more because "it looks cool" and thats ok, but these small "Tennessee thumpers" I'm from Tennessee and was tempted to feel disrespected by that name, then I looked around.a bit and decided you a...
by elbono
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:57 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Voltage control of immersion heaters
Replies: 5
Views: 564

Re: Voltage control of immersion heaters

Will an SCR voltage control an appropriate load immersion element output or do I need amperage control via phase angle I'm not sure what your question is. A heater element will have a resistance (my 5500 watt 240v element is about 11 ohms) it will draw 22 amps at 240v. Resistance is the ratio of vo...
by elbono
Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:48 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: How to connect the ends of CSST
Replies: 12
Views: 1674

Re: How to connect the ends of CSST

Some users of CSST fill the corrugations with RTV and hose clamp tubing over that like your pictures. I was never satisfied with how that came out so I soldered brass hose barbs in the ends. There's some pics here https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7706415#p7706415 and other ideas too. ...
by elbono
Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:32 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Why CCVM?
Replies: 80
Views: 7305

Re: Why CCVM?

What would the total reflux be, if a gate valve is added before the product condenser, on a CCVM column? At that point you have a combo VM/CCVM. Not much point in moving the condenser so to me it's a VM. VM/LM/CM are different ways to adjust the reflux ratio. How you adjust it determines the ratio ...
by elbono
Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:25 pm
Forum: Materials Safety
Topic: Newbie with new still and already made mistake?
Replies: 7
Views: 605

Re: Newbie with new still and already made mistake?

You may be able to use a cork instead of the rubber bung. Just make sure it's natural not agglomerated.
https://www.widgetco.com/collections/xxx-cork-stoppers
by elbono
Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:04 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Hydrochloric Acid and Stainless Steel
Replies: 5
Views: 3212

Re: Hydrochloric Acid and Stainless Steel

While some may find the fast reaction times worth dealing with hydrochloric acid it isn't something for the casual user to consider. In the US many toilet cleaners use hydrochloric acid. "The Works" is one that jogs my memory. We used to put strips of aluminum foil in a 1 liter soda bottle...
by elbono
Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:00 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Oaking and aging the T-Pee way
Replies: 554
Views: 161776

Re: Oaking and aging the T-Pee way

4) Should I not use the disk on the mason jar lids? I had intended to put a coffee filter between the lid and the jar for a loose seal, but didn't want to remove the disk. Someone here said the sealant on the disk can do harm. Really? I definitely don't. The sealant is usually plastisol which is ve...
by elbono
Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:01 am
Forum: Whiskey
Topic: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?
Replies: 47
Views: 4579

Re: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?

does rye malt need any additional enzymes? rye malt has a DP of 75 in my grain database. the glucan rest and maybe the addition of β-glucanase could be important. Probably not, good point. I'll probably put in a dose of GA for safety though. I've never used LD Carlson before I hope their beta gluca...
by elbono
Tue Jan 16, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Whiskey
Topic: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?
Replies: 47
Views: 4579

Re: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?

Forgot the on topic part, I'm running a 5500w ulwd element. Scorching hasn't been a problem with corn/rye/barley mashes. I can run on propane if needed. Is 100% rye going to act the same as a 60/30/10 corn/rye/barley if it looks the same? My high rye bourbon runs haven't had issues. They look pretty...
by elbono
Tue Jan 16, 2024 3:17 pm
Forum: Whiskey
Topic: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?
Replies: 47
Views: 4579

Re: High rye wash in an electrical boiler?

I plan to do similar this weekend. It's my first rye mash so I don't have advice I'm just following along. My plan is to do a large batch method with 25 lbs rye malt at 2 lb/gallon. Shooting for 7-8% after ferment. Plan is: 12.5 lb rye malt in insulated blue barrel. Add 3.125 gallon 120F water, hope...
by elbono
Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:30 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Angel Yellow yeast and corn flour
Replies: 19
Views: 1712

Re: Angel Yellow yeast and corn flour

There's a ton of info in https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7583579&sid=203d696719f4eb52c757c25abb21bc89#p7583579 but it is 28 pages of posts. My take on your plan: I would save the malt for a more conventional mash. But that's just me doing me. My YLAY ferments have finished with l...
by elbono
Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Yeasts, Enzymes, Fungi, Nutrients
Topic: shocking yeast ?
Replies: 7
Views: 1058

Re: shocking yeast ?

sadie33 wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:38 am I always thought it had to be refrigerated after opening.
You probably believed what you read on the label.
by elbono
Wed Dec 27, 2023 2:41 pm
Forum: My First .....
Topic: first run (vinegar) on new still
Replies: 32
Views: 1739

Re: first run (vinegar) on new still

I am so nervous of exposing the element and have no idea how to figure that out. I did figure out 2 gal will cover it so I guess as long as I don't take out more than 3 gal on a 5 gal run, I'll be safe. There are lots of ways to calculate this but you have the simplest, most foolproof method to kee...
by elbono
Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Struggling to find copper build parts in Canada
Replies: 38
Views: 3325

Re: Struggling to find copper build parts in Canada

In the US the plumbing wholesalers will do "counter sales" to the general public. The biggest issue I had was the shortest piece of 2" copper they sell was a 10 foot stick. When you call know what you want like "10 foot stick of type m copper" and know if you want cup or ftg...
by elbono
Sat Dec 16, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Easy Large Batch Mashing
Replies: 385
Views: 171815

Re: Easy Large Batch Mashing

Question about transferring boiling water to fermenter: I set my fermenter on a bench/pedestal I was thinking I would transfer boiling water with a transfer pump instead of trying to pail it or set the fermenter on the ground under the hot water heater spigot. 1/2 hp pump with cast iron body, unsur...
by elbono
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:32 am
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: Stills for sale in Canada
Replies: 6
Views: 2748

Re: Stills for sale in Canada

I'm in moonshine central in Tennessee, there's so many people selling large quantities I don't worry much about my little setup in the basement. I wouldn't consider selling but it would probably be a long time before it caused me any trouble. Funny part is a TN craft distilling license cost 3000 USD...
by elbono
Sat Dec 09, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First Copper still and first thumper…flame?
Replies: 7
Views: 835

Re: First Copper still and first thumper…flame?

If the hotplate surges (glows red then doesn't glow) don't use it. You need steady heat.
by elbono
Thu Dec 07, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: 2" ferrule fittings right OD size?
Replies: 15
Views: 4238

Re: 2" ferrule fittings right OD size?

I work with Type L copper a lot and annealing and banging with a BFH sure makes a super-tight fit but doesn't create the proper gap for solder to flow. For me a 0.005" difference on diameter is the sweet spot. 0.010" is doable but difficult. I think you needed more patience or a bigger ha...
by elbono
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Volt amp meters
Replies: 68
Views: 6532

Re: Volt amp meters

mine turned out to be even easier to kidify than the one in the video. Most of the video's stuff is so he ends up with three screw terminals to connect wires to from the outside. I have visions of some hackery to sniff the internal signals in there. Been on other adventures lately though. The 0.8v ...
by elbono
Thu Dec 07, 2023 9:09 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: 2" ferrule fittings right OD size?
Replies: 15
Views: 4238

Re: 2" ferrule fittings right OD size?

You will need to enlarge the ID about 0.020".

I would sand/grind about 0.010" off each side but you can bell the end by hammering the outside with a mandrel inside. You can do it on hard copper but annealed copper is easier.
by elbono
Mon Dec 04, 2023 2:31 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Easy Large Batch Mashing
Replies: 385
Views: 171815

Re: Easy Large Batch Mashing

Mine has a translucent yellowish layer on top in between stirrings after the AA. It's sweet and gives me a red result with iodine which indicates dextrin. After malts and GA it gives a faint brown result.
by elbono
Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:08 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: Easy Large Batch Mashing
Replies: 385
Views: 171815

Re: Easy Large Batch Mashing

Boil 6.6 gallons of water Mix 8.3 of the cornmeal Do that twice putting in the rest of the meal. Use the last 6.6 gallons to cool it down. Using the enzymes discussed in this thread My fermenter is wrapped in insulation and I’m putting a sleeping bag over that. I do similar with some differences. I...
by elbono
Thu Nov 30, 2023 11:08 am
Forum: General Stilling questions
Topic: Thumper question
Replies: 17
Views: 2198

Re: Thumper question

I started with a Amazon still similar to the vevors. Most of their "thumpers" have an inlet and outlet that are the same. For it to work as a thumper the inlet meeds to reach near the bottom so it is submerged so the vapor will bubble through the liquid in the thumper. Mine came with a loo...
by elbono
Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!
Replies: 27
Views: 2505

Re: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!

@elbono You are awesome! No one seemed to talk about whether you could use a smaller breaker in series with a larger breaker. That's the way power distribution works, your panel in the wall has a main (200a?) that feeds the lower rated breakers. In an industrial system this may go several layers de...
by elbono
Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:06 pm
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!
Replies: 27
Views: 2505

Re: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!

My Questions: 1. Can I run my 5500w heater element with a Ssr and control module on a 40A circuit? Sure, you say 40a circuit, I assume it's fed from a 40a breaker with 8 awg wire. Any thing below the breaker should be rated to carry the current the breaker can supply (40a). Make sure your cord matc...
by elbono
Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:23 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!
Replies: 27
Views: 2505

Re: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!

A little more info on US copper tube & stainless sanitary fittings: 2" type m to 2" ferrule is doable but not easy. (0.009" dia diff) 1" type m to 1" ferrule needs a shim (0.055" dia diff) 1 1/2" ftg x cup reducer to 1 1/2" ferrule piece of cake (probably ...
by elbono
Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!
Replies: 27
Views: 2505

Re: Overbuilding? Advice welcome!

I vote for simple in the beginning, leave yourself open for options but get up and running first to see what you want or don't want. The still dragon kit is a good basic controller. The thing I wish I had was a receptacle and inlet on the box instead of the cords being permanently attached. It's on ...
by elbono
Sat Nov 25, 2023 10:28 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: 9kw element wired as 3kw?
Replies: 53
Views: 5170

Re: 9kw element wired as 3kw?

MooseMan wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:35 am Is that what you would call series parallel?
I suppose but since people may name things differently I just draw it out. :D
by elbono
Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: 9kw element wired as 3kw?
Replies: 53
Views: 5170

Re: 9kw element wired as 3kw?

so that I can crimp ring connectors on the cable ends and bolt them to the brass for a better connection? And if I'm not able to run 4kw, can I wire up in some way to get over 2 but under 4kw from the remaining 2 loops? If you have a proper crimp tool that will work fine, if not you'll get a better...