Newbie Needs Advice, Consulting

corntornado · Post by **corntornado** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:13 am

Hi i am brand new to distilling and would love a little feedback on my plans. I recently ordered a pro series reflux column online,copper mesh packing, i am planning on using it with a regular 15.5 gallon sanke keg. At this point i have not altered the keg other than removing the inner workings of the tap, and am planning on attaching the column directly to the sanke tap. I know this will make cleaning the keg a major issue so i am looking for a good easy way to alter it without having to pay for a bunch of welding. I will be using a propane cooker to fire the boiler. I have been an avid home brew beer and wine maker for many years, and have about 6 gallons of homemade apple wine that is about 12 % that i am planning on running as my first batch. any thoughts on this? If that works than i am planning on ordering some turbo yeast and creating a sugar wash. Are there any speacial things i need to know to make this all happen. Are there any step by step resources i can refer to as far as cooking goes? What are your thoughts on ordering things from online living in the US? Ordering off of Ebay? I know these are alot of questions but i am very excited to get started. Thanks.

Post by **golden pond** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:40 am

The answers to all your questions are already here in these forums, all you have to do is look for them, read some first then ask questions if you can't figure things out.

Rocky_Creek · Post by **Rocky_Creek** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:57 am

You don't need to alter the keg for cleaning. a look at your fermenter. Put a filteration device on your fermenter, you only need to put liqiuds in ths keg. A simple waterhose and some sloshing around is all you need. A still does NOT need to be steril.

As far as ordering online, I do it all the time, rarely disapointed. Don't worry about someone tracking you down, ain't going to happen unless you order some C4 or similar.

Turbo yeast just follow directions. In the long run learn to use other yeast and neutrients of some type. Turbo is a good starting place.

jbrew9999 · Post by **jbrew9999** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:10 am

Unless you really don't like your apple wine, I wouldn't use it for your first batch. You are likely to make some mistakes and learn some things from your first few runs. I'd encourage you to start with 10lbs sugar, 20l water, a small can of tomato paste, a couple tablespoons of lemon juice and a couple packets of bakers yeast. If you get impatient while that is fermenting out (10 days or so at 20C ) you can run some cheap boxed wine.

possum · Post by **possum** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:00 am

Jbrew is on target...I sugest using water only for the first run or two. Checking for leaks and remaining flux from soldering should be done with a wash of little or no value.

Why waste something good to find out that the uncleaned flux is spoiling your run?

I started with recycling unwanted beer recipees that were low in hops.

Apple wine requires a nice big head cut (disposal of the first bits from your still) to remove the higher methanol content in this fruit wine.

I have several gallons of apple wine/cider myself, and plan to brandy it up soon.

richardan · Post by **richardan** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:22 am

thanks guys!
i am doing some testing, are there any recommendations for equipments for the testing of pH and SG?

i know about the pH paper, but i hope to get something permanent.

canadianmoonshiner · Post by **canadianmoonshiner** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:05 pm

I agree with jbrew... don't use your apple cider for your first batch... you may be dissapointed. Apple cider brandy can be very nice so don't risk it. Stick to cheap sugar till you are sure the still is free of soldier flux & you get the hang of it. Good luck!