Hello from NC!

[ChefAngel]

I'm new to the home distilling scene and also new to North Carolina. I'm considering using my new Air Still to produce some Sweet Potato-based 'shine. Any tips or suggestions?

[theholymackerel]

Howdy, and welcome!

[rad14701]

Welcome, ChefAngel...

My advice is to do plenty of research here now that you've found your way here... You can do much better than purchasing an air still...

What type(s) of spirits do you intend to make...??? Flavored spirits like whiskey, rum, etc, or neutral spirits like vodka, or infused spirits like gin or absinthe...???

Good luck...

[ChefAngel]

The Air Still is just my initial route into this new hobby, my backyard is already packed with a gigantic garden, so putting a still outside just isn't an option, that and I'm smack in the middle of urban Charlotte, so I have to be inconspicuous. As to my research, I'm looking into making scuppernog and muscadine brandies, as well as port made from both of those varieties. Also making some lightning-based Apple Pie liquor, some barrel-aged rye and oddly enough, some tomato 'shine from my more than 20 varieties growing. Herbal infused 'shines (basil, cilantro, hyssop, sage, shiso) are also on my radar.

Chef

[rad14701]

I honestly don't see an air still getting you where you want to be... For the amount of money you'll spend on one you could easily have a more versatile setup... It doesn't have to be huge... See the rig linked in my Sig... It could even be scaled up as required...

The problem with the air still is its size... It sounds like you know what you want for spirits and the air still is simply too small to produce the amount and quality of spirits you are seeking... An air still is just a small air cooled pot still, nothing more... Now this is only me personal opinion but air stills are designed so individuals can prove that they can extract alcohol from an already alcohol laden wash... And those folks either get bored and quit, dislike the resulting spirits and quit, or discover that they need to go bigger and more complex to end up where they wish to be...

Keep an open mind and don't get sucked in by the turn-key appeal of the air stills... We have quite a few members here who have gone down that path and have shared their experiences...

[Bushman]

Welcome to the forum, as suggested earlier do your research here it will save you a lot of money investing in the wrong thing for your needs. Decide what you like to drink first then make a decision on type of still and size to fit your situation. We have members that are in condo's with limited space that make it work. Good Luck and be safe.

[Dnderhead]

totally agree with rad, that still holds a gallon. a gallon of 10% wash has 14oz of alcohol.
then out of this you mite keep 7.then cut to 100pr you have 14oz..not much. I do
thank there is a use for that type of still but the actual distilling is not it.

[rtalbigr]

ChefAngel - I too live in an urban setting and have to be discrete and do my cookin' indoors. When I started I had a 1 1/2 gal still and thought that was fine. I now have a 7 gal pot still because I finally realized I was killing myself tryin' to get enough likker outa that little thing. And I cook on my stove top. I really think your just goin' to end up frustrated with that air still.

Big R

[Samohon]

Welcome to HD ChefAngel...

+3.. Gotta agree with Rad and Dnderhead on their advice..
Besides, by the time you shell out for an airstill, you could have built a very nice stove-top pot still to make your brandies...

Have fun doing it, but be safe...

[elctrohomebrwer]

i too live in nc now. i'm not from the south, and couldn't find shine when i got out here. so i had to figure out how to make my own and have been doing it for years

[elctrohomebrwer]

I'm new to the home distilling scene and also new to North Carolina. I'm considering using my new Air Still to produce some Sweet Potato-based 'shine. Any tips or suggestions?

since you are in charlotte, go to ebrew.com that will give you directions to both of their stores, they have a better still there than the air still, it lasted me about two years before it started giving me trouble, but it will get you started, and it is totally discreet. it will hook up to your sink and it will make up to 170 proof or you can use it as a crude pot still

[NcHooch]

Hey Chef,
Welcome to the forum....and the fine state of NC ...where did ya come from?
No suggestions for sweet taters, but there's all kinda recipes to get started on in the tried n true section.
Cheers,
NChooch