What lessons have you learned from distilling?

[orpheus16]

Hey all, thought it would be fun to have a lessons I have learned from stilling thread in here.

1. Do your research, I have a pretty nice little pot still thanks to a lot of reading on here
2. Just because you have done a lot of research doesn't mean you KNOW squat. Book learning is great and all but there is nothing like experience to help you out. Someone (I wish i could remember who) recommended adding a little oil to the flour paste I was using. Made a huge difference when cleanup time rolled around, it just pulls off like overcooked pasta now.
3. Patience... some things just can't be rushed. Really... I promise... (patience right, how long does that take to learn?)
4. Relax. People have been fermenting things forever. You might make some mistakes but usually it still all ferments out fine anyway
5. Keep things clean. Having said what I did in number 4, why take chances
6. don't be stingy. Plan on only being able to drink 60% of what you distill then you will be happy when (if) you have more than that.
7. when making cuts,if in doubt leave it out (this is kind of a corollary to number 6)
8. the number of buckets you need is always one more than the number you have

That's all I have so far... how bout you?

[Mud Mechanik]

1. If you need to buy a column, parrot or a flute, Kentucky shinner or Olddog is your best bet ( Condinsificator turns out first class work as well )
2. If you need an electric controller, Mulekicker is the man.
3. If you need something researched, Father William takes the prize.
4. If you want to be prooved wrong, wait for LWCTS, Dnderhead or Rad to reply to your thread ( they are the brains of HD )
5. If you want to start a fight, post something like " is a PVC column safe " or " can I use silicone as a sealant for my pot lid "
6. If you want a well written story published, Scottishboy is #1.
7. If you need a tutorial put together and posted in a professional manner, Samahon takes first prize.
8. If you want your ass chewed out, Blanikdog or Rubber Duck should arm wrestle for the championship here.
9. Hookline is the master coil winder.
10. Mulekicker wears underwear and a hat made out of aluminum foil!
11. Don't piss off Tater, Husker or Uncle Jessie.
12. I hope all those listed above can take a joke
13. There are many more, this list is just for starters.

[bgrizzle]

Mud... No shoutout to GooseEye?????

That's F$%#ed up!

So I'm Tole

[Caprimulgus]

My list is long. So I'll shorten it down to not bore anyone with stuff already said.

1. The very dificult art of waiting. (for the right part, the right yeast, the right temperature....the right....everything)
2. If you do your homework. You can make stuff that doesn't make you shudder like the storebought does. (thought it was mostly boasting, but I was pleasantly surprised))
3. Nice bottles are everywhere, when you don't need them. (But when you DO need them......*poof gone*)

[guittarmaster]

1) Patience is a virtue
2) Don't get greedy
3) I can do better

[nevadadrifter]

"Learned" from my wife- Our guest bathroom is not a place for me to sit buckets of my.... "concoctions" for a week at a time. "It makes the whole room smell like someone crawled inside a bakery and died."

[Mud Mechanik]

Mud... No shoutout to GooseEye?????

That's F$%#ed up!

So I'm Tole

Your right bgrizzle

14. If your after the ultimate wisdom, Goose eye is the man.

Sorry Goose