Search found 1634 matches

by Ayay
Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:07 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Do You Consider Yourself a Heavy Drinker?
Replies: 34
Views: 2375

Re: Do You Consider Yourself a Heavy Drinker?

I weigh about 170 lbs and drink. Is 170 too light?
by Ayay
Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:11 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: need some boka neutral help
Replies: 11
Views: 727

Re: need some boka neutral help

.... - Thinking I could let equalize...dump open the valve to empty liquid level, re-equalize...repeat dumping until the dump loses that sweet smell....then take off at a moderate rate? Thinking this would reduce any smearing Equalising is more important than smearing. The packed column needs time ...
by Ayay
Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:59 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: bokakob
Replies: 37
Views: 4452

Re: bokakob

BigSwede wrote:
Ayay wrote:
BigSwede wrote: ...You are correct, what I said was misleading and not accurate...
This is discussion, not correction! Your sincerity is more valuable than gold.
by Ayay
Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:27 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: bokakob
Replies: 37
Views: 4452

Re: bokakob

2b) Or, don't replace anything. Simply turn the boiler on full blast, open the needle valve fully, and even with packing, it'll be a pot still. The packing will be overwhelmed with hot vapor, and there'll be little to no reflux occurring. Heating full blast with valve wide open is a pot still in st...
by Ayay
Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:51 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Question about second and 3rd runs, heads and tails
Replies: 8
Views: 2378

Re: Question about second and 3rd runs, heads and tails

Quick answer...Depends on the purity of the stilling:- -Strip runs are the least pure and everything has to be re-stilled. -Slow careful pot spirit runs...throw the fores and the earliest heads unless you want them at 95% from a reflux still. Drink the hearts and re-still the rest. -Slow careful ref...
by Ayay
Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:40 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: All theories, and no hard data.
Replies: 18
Views: 1834

Re: All theories, and no hard data.

I misread...your heading is referring to you and not the forum...so sorry.
Yes, it's hard to get the data while theories are swimming around as they do in the beginning...a wonderful time when anyting is possible...and anything is possible :)
by Ayay
Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:07 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: All theories, and no hard data.
Replies: 18
Views: 1834

Re: All theories, and no hard data.

Everything written is theory. Hard data is got by doing it.
by Ayay
Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:15 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Propane burner recommendations???
Replies: 18
Views: 8650

Re: Propane burner recommendations???

If you are not sure your burner needs a regulator, look at the gas orifice...the small hole the gas comes out of just before it's burnt. If the hole is microscopic, barely visible with the naked eye then it is an unregulated burner; that is, the tiny hole IS the regulator. If the hole is clearly vis...
by Ayay
Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:05 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: to much cereal
Replies: 14
Views: 1609

Re: to much cereal

Too much cereal won't hurt.. the excess cereal will be more sediments at the bottom which may be used again in the next brew. If your brew tastes dry, not sweet, it's done. Continued activity happens after the sugar is all gone and the yeasts are chewing on the grains. When dry, lower the temp to st...
by Ayay
Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:38 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Cheap needle valves in AU
Replies: 14
Views: 1992

Re: Cheap needle valves in AU

All stainless is the way to go with your needle valve, and look at the angle of the taper. A short blunt taper on the needle is harder to adjust; a long slender taper will give more finer control. Also look at the thread pitch on the threads of the needle. A coarse thread gives coarse adjustment whi...
by Ayay
Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:19 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: got a headache from corn
Replies: 25
Views: 2944

Re: got a headache from corn

It's not the corn's fault.
by Ayay
Mon May 05, 2014 3:03 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Sealing the arm
Replies: 11
Views: 931

Re: Sealing the arm

The experienced will see a leak sooner and fix it sooner. Leaks must be fixed immediately...shut it down and fix the leak whatever it takes...some flour paste or a re-build. Then carry on.
by Ayay
Sun May 04, 2014 3:12 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: shutting it down during the run
Replies: 3
Views: 425

Re: shutting it down during the run

Extreme long runs are no problem with the reflux column. Shut it down whenever you have to go. Fire it up later, restabilize, and carry on where you left off. The longer you go, the longer it takes to fire up again and that's all...a bit more gas or electricity.
by Ayay
Thu May 01, 2014 1:55 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Curious Brewer
Replies: 5
Views: 465

Re: Curious Brewer

Brewing for the still is not so fussy as brewing for beer or wine, but your brewing habits will pay when it comes to stillin. Stillin gives you a wide choice whether to go for the alc, or the flavor, or both. The first half is the brewing, the second half is the stillin, the third is the cuts, and t...
by Ayay
Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:55 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Screw this! (propane)
Replies: 272
Views: 18135

Re: Screw this! (propane)

This is why I like gas. Awesome BTU's are available, and the control of the heat is a simple tap or valve. Here at the bottom, electricity is 'competitive'...meaning the electricity supplier extracts the absolute max it can from the consumer and then some. The danger with gas is leakage both of prod...
by Ayay
Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:57 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: wash too hot at 112f
Replies: 15
Views: 814

Re: wash too hot at 112f

If it's bubbling then all is not lost, it's not ruined. Now you know the error factor just factor the error in.

Digital thermometers are pretty good, it's hard to find fault with them. Do check elsewhere for any other faults..
by Ayay
Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:30 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: New to Forum. Question about reflux column.
Replies: 12
Views: 963

Re: New to Forum. Question about reflux column.

A liebig is not for reflux. A reflux column needs condensates going straight down into the top of the column. The reflux condensor is at the top of the column sending the condensates from the top. This condensor needs to be short and squat. Leibig is long and thin. Leibig is essential in other appli...
by Ayay
Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:13 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: I just cant drink it...
Replies: 30
Views: 2991

Re: I just cant drink it...

Beers and wines are brewed super slow at low temp to minimise the heads an tails. Stillers brew fast an dirty at high temp, because they make the cuts during/after the stilling. Stills concentrate the alc, and separate the alcs if the stillin is done right. Still so you can find the cuts because it'...
by Ayay
Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:34 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: must be doing something right
Replies: 16
Views: 727

Re: must be doing something right

We take credit for bringing them into this world, but many things are beyond our credit. Your daughter owns what she did. She done good on her own :)
And you sure done something right!
by Ayay
Wed Apr 09, 2014 1:37 am
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: Dutch action
Replies: 18
Views: 4938

Re: Dutch action

Great that you are exploring making it legal, but we carry on regardless. Legality depends on enforcibility. The enforcers have big problems.
by Ayay
Wed Apr 09, 2014 1:19 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: New to the talk, been walking the walk
Replies: 2
Views: 379

Re: New to the talk, been walking the walk

This site has all you need. Searching for the core takes longer because it's diluted by the sheer volume of postings.
by Ayay
Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:50 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: Heating the mash
Replies: 5
Views: 1509

Re: Heating the mash

Looks like your machine heats a circulating liquid, and maintains a set temp. If so, a great machine! The other half is how the heat is tranferred into the masher/fermentor. I heat/maintain my ferment within a closed box equipped with a 200W heater and a thermostat. Your machine appears capable of d...
by Ayay
Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:55 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Condenser sizing
Replies: 10
Views: 2828

Re: Condenser sizing

The exit tube from the boiler is best at 2". A boka will fit straight on, and your pot still riser better be a reducer from 2" gradually down to 1/4" if your pot is quite small. A 1/4" riser belongs on a 5L pot.

Go for a 20+L pot, and a 2" riser.
by Ayay
Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:27 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: How Often Do You Run Your Still?
Replies: 51
Views: 4241

Re: How Often Do You Run Your Still?

No legal issues with the size of the fermentation, so big brews are naturally better. Add a still and suddenly the 'beer/wine/wash' is classified as potential moonshine and becomes an accessory. The existence of a still must appear as little as possible. In summary...big ferments...in-frequent still...
by Ayay
Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:20 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Wow what a run. Did I do good?
Replies: 4
Views: 660

Re: Wow what a run. Did I do good?

A run is the distillation. The brew has some meaning but the distillation has a far greater meaning if there is distillation involved.

A good brew leads to a good run, and a good run can rescue a bad brew by delivering whatever the bad brew has to offer.
by Ayay
Sat Mar 29, 2014 4:05 am
Forum: Legalization of Home Distilling
Topic: Trading for a used still legal?
Replies: 9
Views: 2044

Re: Trading for a used still legal?

Used or new - makes no difference. Possessing a still is where it's at in the final analysis according to current folklore.

Where you got it may lead directly to you. If you got it by the purchase of miscellaneous bits and pieces then you're more likely to succeed.
by Ayay
Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:14 am
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Is it OK to allow all of the heads in on a pure sugar wash?
Replies: 44
Views: 9386

Re: Is it OK to allow all of the heads in on a pure sugar wa

Take the heads off even if they aren't there. You never know until you take them off. You never know if you took them off until you done the cuts.

Cuts are for getting hearts. Hearts are all those things that contain no heads nor tails.
by Ayay
Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:21 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Centering rings?
Replies: 27
Views: 3654

Re: Centering rings?

My thinkin is a centering ring is needed when a 2" column exceeds 40" in height. The further the reflux has to flow, the more likely it will stick to the walls of the column. The first centering ring should be at mid point. Other centering rings should be below the mid point. Centering rin...
by Ayay
Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:23 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Howzit goin eh?
Replies: 5
Views: 790

Re: Howzit goin eh?

Your rig appears to be a hybrid, with various reflux condensers and a product condenser...nicely made! The lingering after-burn in the taste is a symptom of tails in the mix. Tails contain 'feuzal oils' which can be detected in the early stages in the transition between hearts and tails....or can be...
by Ayay
Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:31 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Moonshine drinkers?
Replies: 30
Views: 3365

Re: Moonshine drinkers?

I drink my own white dog. Good taste, mouth feel, and no hangover...(not to be confused with long-term debilitating effects). Nice & easy brew to 10%alc all settled & cleared, strip it fast and furious, and then reflux the ***# out of it. Now really-truly find the the hearts cut from the ref...