Am I missing something???

[DistillerofDisdain]

So, what I think I might be missing here is a complete step by step guide for some simple mash's and runs. Is there such a thing as a "Distilling for Dummies"thread that I'm missing?

I have been able to piece a few things together from numerous threads, but I would love to see a rather simplistic guide to, say, a 6 gallon whiskey run. Step by step, point by point. I know this may sound a bit needy, but something like this would help me build a foundation to further distilling success.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

DoD

[Dnderhead]

whisky is not that simple.
most start with a sugar head of some type.and there is a few of them on "tried and true"

[Prairiepiss]

If you had distilling for dummys you would be back here asking why it didn't work.

There is to much to know to put in a step by step thread. There is more then enough info here in many different threads to get you safely started.

The new distiller reading lounge should be your section to read.

[DistillerofDisdain]

If you had distilling for dummys you would be back here asking why it didn't work.

There is to much to know to put in a step by step thread. There is more then enough info here in many different threads to get you safely started.

The new distiller reading lounge should be your section to read.

Mr. P, I would agree. There is so much info here, all that can be said about distilling and developing amazing products is listed somewhere in the forum. The problem is figuring out where that "somewhere" is. I have poured over the New Distillers Lounge. The "cuts" thread has revolutionized how I will develop my product.

Here's an idea: What if we created a "Masters list". The list would consist of 1-2 people per distilling topic (fermenting, distilling, cutting, diluting, bottling/aging, etc). The entire list would agree on a type of run, and each topic "chairman" would write his/her piece on the run. After each is written, we create a thread with each respective topic in order. Clearly defining every step along the way, and helping move us amateurs into artisans.

Would it take a little work? Probably, but I think the group as a whole would benefit from it.

DoD

[Washashore]

I think the "step by step" guide you are referring to is in the Tried and True Recipe thread?

Check out NChooch's Carolina Bourbon.

[Dnderhead]

you can git grandma's recipe but it wont be the same..
several ways to mash,,numerous ways to distill.and much goes by taste.

[maheel]

several ways to mash,,numerous ways to distill.and much goes by taste.

right there is why there is no definitive thread

[King Of Hearts]

I'll put together what I do later. It's really not that hard. Generally, mash 145', cool to 90', ferment, separate liquid from grain, distill. But that's just the basic steps with flaked corn, no whole corn boiling.

[Prairiepiss]

There are already many threads on how different people mash their way. You also got to take into account what grains your using. What kind of drink you want to make. What equipment you have available. What ingredients you have available. So many variables so many ways.

[King Of Hearts]

+1 PP, I take shortcuts, I have post somwhere already.

[King Of Hearts]

For ten gal of clear wash after its settled out I use

12lbs flaked maize
4 lbs distillers malt or 6 row
4 lbs rye malt or wheat malt ground finely

mash at 145 degrees with 7 gal water for 1-2 hrs
top up with 21lbs ice & water to 13 gal level with grain
when 90 degrees pitch dry ale yeast, Safale 04 or bread yeast
add 20 grams gluco amylase enyme add 20 grams distillers nutrient
about ten day when hydrometer reads 1.000 seperate grain using a nylon bag
let wash clear and siphon off solids
strip sort of fast but cool to touch
collecting 2 gals low wines 36% abv
next do a spirit run cool to touch
thro out foreshots first 200ml
next liter will be heads
next two liters hearts
next liter tails

ballpark figures yours may vary, let your nose and tastes be your guide.
Cut sample with distilled water to 40% abv to evaluate.

Age @ 55% abv heavy charr American Oak 100 sq in of wood.

This is my process others will do it their way,
Cut with distilled water to 55% abv. In a 1 gal glass jug, age with 3 medium toast american white oak sticks alligator charred 1in wide x 8in long x 3/8 thick and 1 stick medium toasted all split in half to fit in jug, 2 or more months, longer the better.

[HolyBear]

YES, YOU ARE... mainly lots of reading....

[NcHooch]

About the closest to a step by step is my Carolina bourbon recipe, but It's recommended to learn the science of all grain first.

[rad14701]

I have to agree with everything posted thus far... This isn't a "paint by numbers" hobby here and you get out of it what you put into it, including reading/research, and it's not so simple a caveman can do it... We have no intentions of compiling/condensing these forums into a concise book on how to go from start to finish... Just like there are countless cookbooks on the market it's the same for fermenting and distilling... How I would do things and what I expect in the end is going to differ from others... Because our focus is on hobby scale home distillation we expect everyone to study up and determine what works best for them... There are plenty of books on the subject available and I have either read or at least perused many of them, yet I don't agree 100% with any one of them... You glean what you can and go from there... And you can read all you want but until you put concepts into practice things will never gel in the gray matter... Some over-simplify and others tend to over-complicate because that's the way they are wired... Find where you float in that pool and go from there...

[OlympicMtDoo]

Just one small suggestion DistillerofDisdain, Keep really good notes of everything you do then you'll have your own history of what doesn't work and when you do get it right you'll have your own note book of what does work and come out like you want it. Keep at it and good luck.

[rtalbigr]

So, what I think I might be missing here is a complete step by step guide for some simple mash's and runs. Is there such a thing as a "Distilling for Dummies"thread that I'm missing?
DoD

After literally hundreds hours of doing this I have changed my procedures many times, so in essence, my step by step has changed many times. What I might have described 6 months ago is going to be a little different than what I am doing today. Furthermore, my step by step will change depending on what I am working with. I also know from reading the forum almost daily for almost two years that I do some things a little differently from what others do.

Research, experiment, formulate. Understanding what is happening at each step is just as important as doing each step.

Big R

[RevSpaminator]

It shouldn't take much reading to figure out that there are a LOT of ways to do things and more than one way is correct.

Read as much as you can mentally handle, make sure you are safe, pick something in the tried and true (or whatever) and try it out. You will make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes. I learned a lot from my first couple runs smelling like nail polish remover. (If you search for nail polish remover, you find some educational information.) You will find the reading more meaningful after you've done a couple of runs. I know I did.

[DistillerofDisdain]

It may sound like I am looking for some easy way of distilling. Although it would be nice, that's not really what I'm looking for. Rather looking for some solid pointers with little "lingo" that is easy to follow. The Tried and True Recipes are great, and I'm trying one now, but often there are little things left out that send me chasing an answer, which cause more questions. I do not have the luxury of a friend who can show me the ropes, or a grandfather who made a small fortune in the prohibition days.

Thanks for the help guys!

DoD

[Prairiepiss]

Most of us have not had a one on one trainer. Your not alone. But part of the learning experience is failure. My first two AG mashes were not perfect. But I learned a lot from them. And got lots of help from the gurus around here. I have a thread around here somewhere. You mite get a kick out of reading it. You mite also learn from it. Odin had one going the same time. Both are full of good information.