Some basic newbie questions?

[steveb]

Sorry these are so basic. I'm trying to read everything (including a lot of time on homedistiller.org) I can get before I purchase my first still. There are some phrases I don't understand yet.

If there's a clear book which gets into details but not at an advanced level, please let me know about it!

Stripping (I've seen it as a verb and a noun)?

Cuts?

Making a neutral?

Vapor path?

Why is it better to have a higher alcohol mash?

What does second distillation do?

Where do I find instructions on temperatures to use and when to change them during distillation?

Is it really important to use grain in a whiskey mash, or will a sugar wash do?

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Steve

[Tater]

Welcome to forum start here. http://homedistiller.org/static_menu.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[ScottishBoy]

Sorry these are so basic. I'm trying to read everything (including a lot of time on homedistiller.org) I can get before I purchase my first still. There are some phrases I don't understand yet.

If there's a clear book which gets into details but not at an advanced level, please let me know about it!

There are a few good books out there. I have seen a couple of reasonably priced ones at Mile High

Stripping (I've seen it as a verb and a noun)?

The act of seductively or slowly taking off clothes in a prelude to physical liason. Often cited as a primal ritual display or "mating dance" modern equivalent. Can also refer to the act of seperating low wines from mashes. AKA First distillation. Sometimes follows the imbibing of Strawberry Panty Dropper.

Cuts?

Small openings in the dermal areas common to digits and limbs. Characterized by size and depth, they fall short of actual lacerations and are rarely life threatening except in the case of high contagion areas.
Often the result of working with metal or paper and frequently a side effect of alcohol and scissor use. Can also be used to describe the process of seperating desirable alcohol byproducts from undesireable ones in the act of distillation.

Making a neutral?

Raising a male child as a girl, or vice versa. Can also describe the act of PH balancing liquids. Can also be used to describe the production of a pure ( relatively), non flavored, alcohol such as Vodka or grain spirit. Nuetrals are most commonly characterized by their lack of taste and their ability to seemlessly meld with flavorings of the mixer's choosing. Strawberry Panty dropper is a perfect example of a nuetral stimulating a very charged situation. Nuetrals very often produce children if unsupervised.

Code: Select all

Vapor path?

The trail left behind jets at higher altitudes commonly made of watervapor and trace hydrocarbons. Can also refer to the tendancy for steams and lighter ( less dense) than air gases to move in the path of least resistance toward their natural state. In maple syrup production, this is usually called a steam flu or hood vent. Steam driven locomotives may also leave vapor paths. In distillation terms this will be the path that Alcohol vapor takes to get to the condenser assembly. In order for maximum safety, it TOO should follow the path of least resistence.

Why is it better to have a higher alcohol mash?

Its not. You should keep your mash lower to the floor and somewhere easy to clean to reduce possible problems. Higher storage will only increase the chances of you dropping it. Thats alcohol abuse.
Some recipes call for certain percentages of alcohol in the mash, others do not. The theory is that if you have a higher concentration of alcohol in your mash, your get more end product. The most common reason to endorse this way of thinking is so brewer suppliers can sell turbo yeasts and overly expensive nutrients. It is generally thought that yeasts that can live in higher concentrations of alcohol may "stress" and put out off flavors that may effect the quality of your product. It is a matter of personal choice if you should use these or not. Most people find that once they have used a yeast with a dependable and reliable production rate, they swear off higher "turbo" yeasts. The above statement is a good way to get yourself on the path to greedy cuts and sub-par product. However, it should also be said that some folks do use these higher alcohol yeasts and have commented favorably on them. It may have to do with their local water or the method they brew with. The best way to decide this is to read the Yeasts section of the forum.

What does second distillation do?

If you are doing it right, the same thing the first one did...
In general, second distillation is the cleaning and refining of the low wines made from the first runs. These are generally done more slowly and with a larger number of cuts in smaller quantities so that you can decide what parts to keep and what not to keep. Since distillation is a continual refinement process, this can be done many times and can lead to a great improvement in your final product. Check the reflux and pot still sections for more ideas.

Where do I find instructions on temperatures to use and when to change them during distillation?

All stills will function differently with variances in temperature readings and performance. There are some hard and fast rules for the basic physics behind the process that can be found in the main site. Teaching yourself the variables of your still is commonly referred to as "learning to drive" or as an old friend once said "Gettin to know her".

Is it really important to use grain in a whiskey mash, or will a sugar wash do?

The first thing you want to do is go straight to a succesful run so that you can feel the sweet tingle of victory when you sample something you have made. Avoid quick and easy thinking and start with one of the recipes in the Tried and True section. They are tested and approved and they taste pretty damned terrific if done right. Later on, when you have got the basics under your belt, you can experiment with various grains and corns to get exactly the product you want. Some folks here just like to experiment and try different things. The tried and true section is your best friend and I highly reccomend the UJSSM. I never liked whiskey before I tried it. Now Im lovin it.

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Steve

Welcome to the group. Sorry for the smart answers. I am in a silly mood today and felt like joshing a little. This is a great group of people and the site has a wealth of information on it. Its a little spread out, but the search function is your friend. Read the main pages like you would eat dessert. A little at a time until you are satisfied. Then have some more the next night.
Good luck.

SB

[steveb]

Thank you very much!

Step by step, great suggestions.

Steve

[rad14701]

Welcome, steveb...

The parent site, pointed out by tater, has a wealth of information even if some of it is becoming a bit dated... Do your research and ask questions when you can't find answers here in the forums or on the parent site...

Good luck...

[blanikdog]

Welcome steve. SB's explanation is spot on and I have to admit it made me smile.

The terms you mention are indeed very basic and you really need to do a lot more reading before you embark on the voyage that this craft will lead you. Did you look at HD Wiki? What do you wish to make?

Bon Voyage.

[steveb]

Blanikdog,

I've started by bookmarking a lot of useful web pages across a few sites. I've printed out some material, read an eBook from Sweden, and ordered two books.

Some of the online information is either too basic (that is, not enough step-by-step recommendations), or is too advanced. I think it's just going to take time and a lot of reading (and experimentation).

My goal is to make great whiskey.

Thanks!

Steve

[steveb]

Scottishboy,

Where is the "tried and true" section?

Sorry, but what is UJSSM?

Thanks,

Steve

[Dnderhead]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=14
that should git you there. UJSSM is there with others.you can check out recipe development also.

[ScottishBoy]

The Tried and True section can be found in the root of the forums. You need to poke around a little more and get the layout of the site.
UJSSM is Uncle Jessie's Simple Sour Mash, a nearly foolproof way to reproduce a corn based sour mash that makes a solid and dependable whiskey.

Now for the advice...these are the 10 Rules I came up for learning from this site. They are just my personal rules from here and other forums, but its what I go by and it works for me.

1. Read through the base site a few times. Three is a solid number of times, but you will always refer to it. I will admit, it doesnt always make sense the first time around and it's perfectly normal to look at it all and go "Eeek! Thats a lot of information!". DONT PANIC. Read through it. Then read through it again. If something doesnt sound right, WAIT a day or so while you read more. It nearly always comes out with a little more reading.

2. Read it in sections. If you want to know about flavoring, then read that section...let it sit a while...then read it again.

3. Get to know the layout of the forums. If someone mentions a section, chances are its right in the root of the forums.

4. Dont ask without searching. If you havent searched for it, then you are just being lazy. The search function may be a little simple, but it works.

5. Treat the forum like a hot tub. Luxuriate in it for as long as you need to become relaxed. Wade around and read the threads and see how other folks look at things. Conversations will start naturally once you are relaxed.

6. Be respectful and polite and always approach the forum with the idea that everyone here does NOT get paid in any way and all effort is voluntary. They are giving you the gift of their time and wisdom and hard earned experience. Always keep that in mind. Sometimes feedback can be rough, but they wouldnt say anything if they didnt care.

7. Never be in a hurry. This hobby is one that is born of patience. The more patience you have, the better your spirits will be. Exercise this in the forums and you will be much more likely to get answered. If you want to just make some hooch and get ripped, go to your local liquor store. It will be cheaper and safer for you.

8. No Shortcuts. Do it right the first time. If it takes a few more weeks before you can decide what you want to do, then take that time. You will be glad you did. See Rule 7.

9. Always carry yourself the same way you would in the real world. Just because you are an anonymous Icon from halfway across the globe doesnt mean you should cheapen yourself by acting like a 10 year old.

10. SAFETY FIRST: The Cardinal Rule. Always keep your long term goals in mind and keep your safety above all else. Although the physics of this hobby are simple, the execution can be flawed. Observe, think, anticipate and react to any possible dangers. See Rule 7. A wrong move in this hobby can lead to as little as a bad hangover or something as serious as death to you and your family. If you are willing to put others at risk to make some hooch, then you really dont belong here.

These are my basic rules for getting the absolute most from this site. Take any, or all of them, and use them as you see fit. This a great group of folks with wealth of knowledge and experience.

SB

[rad14701]

Great list, ScottishBoy...

Can't stress numbers 1 and 10 enough... While some of the information on the parent site is getting a bit dated, aside from fundamentals, it helps define how much the hobby/craft has progressed over the years... Concepts, designs, and safety, have all evolved while basic distillation theory has remained a constant...

The three read of the parent site rule has always held true with me because of how much assimilation one gets by subsequent reads... Kinda like the show "Connections"... Things just start making sense and questions you haven't even thought of yet get answered...

[steveb]

Thanks a lot.

3 reads is probably inevitable. I've just done one (and making a short list of things that don't seem to be explained).

Thanks again,

Steve

[blanikdog]

... I think it's just going to take time and a lot of reading (and experimentation). ...

Steve, once you get into this craft experimentation will be your great teacher. You will astound yourself - well it did me anyway.

[ScottishBoy]

Its just like smoking a cigar; You have take your time and appreciate the pace the cigar dictates to you, to truly get to the heart of the matter. Reach an equilibrium with the cigar and enjoy like never before. This is an odd hobby, but I have yet to remember when I spent 5 hours doing very little with such a big grin on my face.
Trust us when we say that when it starts to come together, it kind of all makes sense. Its very much like the way pudding gels. Its liquid, then all of a sudden it gels. I'm hoping you will have that experience.

Your reading will be well rewarded.

Cheers to you! I'm off to read as well!

SB

[rubber duck]

That fuging Scotsman has got it right even if he's a bit of a smart ass like me.

This is going to be a adventure like no other. There are lots of folks hear to give you a shit ton of help and this forum is a wealth of knowledge. Hell I see things hear that make me go HMMMM on a daily basis.

Shit I'm loaded on rakie so I'll shut up and say welcome to the forum, If you need help I'm hear to give you a hand as is every one else.

[ScottishBoy]

That fuging Scotsman has got it right even if he's a bit of a smart ass like me.

Samrtass? me? ....Im certain I have no idea what you mean...

[steveb]

Thanks very much for all the help.

I'm reading like crazy because I'm trying to figure out if I should jump into this with all my time and non-discretionary money. I'm trying to get a sense if you've got to be a chemist or really mechanically-oriented to make decent stuff.

I'm no chemist and I'm not too mechanical-oriented. But, I love making beer and wine.

I'm getting more comfortable, however, as things sink in, bit by bit.

Thanks again!

Steve