Home Distiller

see below.

Now is the time you will find Seville Oranges in your local super market. They taste awful(bitter) and full of seeds, not much juice, however, people, including my wife, buy them to make marmalade. I have read that they are also the main ingredient of my favorite liqueur, Grand Marnier. I have searc...

I have been running my still for about two months getting mediocre results (a drinkable product that goes well with apple juice) trying to "fix" my still and distilling technique, to refine my end product. never thinking for a second, it could be the crappy turbo yeast I have been using t...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Use fresh lemon juice. I'm also using a couple of tablespoons of epsom salts, rather than nutrients. Buy at any drugstore. Epsom salts are made up of a naturally occurring mineral that is found in water. More properly known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts derives i...

Just a follow up on my 40l batch, used the airstone and I *think* it finished in about 4 days. Thought it got stuck at 1.012, but then after a few more days, realized that the hydrometer just bottomed out in the container I was using. Duh! :roll: It was actually at .995. I'll probably keep using th...

On the subject of adding air, i.e. air stones or pond pumps; with the BW wash recipe, I really don't believe this step is necessary nor does it improve the process. The activity of the wash alone, after the yeast is added, creates enough circulation. I sometimes give the wash a stir, say daily, just...

Sounds good. The airstone is interesting and I will try it, but I really don't think it accomplishes anything. Remove it and you will see your wash churning away, just on its own. Watch your temperature and keep us posted.

Good luck and Seasons Greetings to your family and yourself.

G

I've got my first 25 litre batch fermenting nicely and it's now the 6th day. I divided the ingredients down (used 75g of active dried yeast & 130g of tomato paste) and decided to use a total of 5.5kg of sugar, but noted an earlier post on this and decided to put 2/3 of the amount (3.7kg) in on ...

Enjoy and seasons greetings.

G

Follow either my recipe or wineo's and you won' t have a problem. The aeration as described is an interesting idea which I've thought of trying.

I didn't because the wash is so active anyway, there's no need.

Don't mess with it now, just let it finish. Good luck and keep us posted.

Cheers,

G

Sounds good.

Good luck.

G

I'm on my third 25l Birdwatchers and I'm finding that a steady 30C does the job best for me. I've got a heating pad under a plastic fermenter. I just started my 4th today in a 20l bucket while the 3rd finishes - got bang on the 1.09 SG to start and it's got a lovely thick heaving layer of something...

Yes. A steady 30C simply speeds up the process. I do 80 liter washes in about a week. I've been using an aquarium heater through a hole in the lid my container. Seems to be working fine.

Enjoy.

G

21 C to 23 C is pretty cool for room temp. This means your wash is probably a touch less, In my mind that the reason for the 18 days and not knowing other details. Adding more yeast is not the answer. Shaking at this stage is questionable at this stage. I'd say leave it be for another few days. Cert...

Thanks for the tip.

I just heard from my friend and he says they are shag bark hickory, known locally as ironwood. About 5'' in diameter.

Cheers,

G

Thanks Fecus, for you interesting reply and lucky you that you have hickory available. After yew and orange osage, it seems to be the wood of choice for North American primitive bowyers. There has been a new ground swell of interest in this ancient craft that has been with us and our ancestors for t...

Well my friend, if you can build that still out of 3" pipe, Then post detailed plans of a workable still on this site management could/might consider this refinement qualifying as the " Lurch Still ". I think the collection cup in the Stillhead still is simply secured by solder in one...

Beautiful it is, but I didn't design or build it. Contact Stillhead for specifications. I have no idea where you would find 3" pipe or fittings and I doubt it would be worth the extra cost. I use converted water heaters, but stainless steel kegs or two restaurant grade stainless pots welded tog...

Take a look at Rubbermaid opaque white storage containers with lids. I use a 106 liter for 80 liter sugar washes.

Containers are available at Canadian Tire in Canada. Probably Walmart in the States.

Cheers.

G

I have recently become interested in bow construction. Is anyone into this?

Cheers.

G

I know Stone's book says to agitate your wash constantly, however, I have never found it nessesary in the Birdwatcher Wash. I do stir at least once daily during fermentation and I used to shake gently, after transferring to 23 liter carboys. Now I do my entire wash (80 liters) in a 106 liter Rubberm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykqWMl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This url is not bringing you to the joke. When you reach U tube, type Australian Radio Joke About The Scottish Painter into the search; it's worth the effort. Hilarious. G

I agree with all the above replies.

Thanks for your interest and good luck.

G

With Winter approaching, looking forward to getting active again.

I have just had two sets of friends return recently from Cuba. I always give them $25.00 to bring me back Cohiba cigars. I now have a box of 5 panetelas and 3 Siglo 111s in boxes. (about a six inch panetela. My cost was in fact $55.00. I'm sure these puppies could be simply mailed to the States with...

What kind of yeast do folks use to make bread in Australia and can you not buy it in bulk at health food stores. In Canada it is Fleishmans, in bulk; not the little bottles you find here in grocery stores. Just curious, as this topic is often discussed. Trust me, using bakers yeast will in not cause...

Regular unleaded where I am in Canada was $1.109 per liter yesterday.

Oil is over $111 per barrel today.

G

HookLine wrote:Forget the 1118 for plain sugar washes. Use baker's yeast.

I second the motion. Save your money and use fresh bakers yeast from your
local health food store.

G

I would be a good idea to run a cheap alcohol wash through your still if it is newly constructed, simply to clean it.

Many a good wash has been ruined by running it through a newly built still.

I know, from sad experience.

Good luck and have a good day.

G

Hey'all, looks like a great community going on in here - greets. Looking at joining in on the fun and sharing the knowledge once I'm set up and producin' et al. Been reading and looking around and sparked my interest, so am at the decision point of making a purchase, but not sure which place to buy...

new_moonshiner wrote:if ya make a good clean run ya dont need carbon to polish ..

I agree. I have never filtered with carbon.

G