Hello everyone. I've done my best to familiarize myself with this forum before introducing myself. I have found this forum very helpful. I hope to someday be able to offer as much advice as I have read here.
I'm a guy in my mid thirties living in the UK. I'm originally from South Texas. I've always (probably too early on) been interested in beer/wine/spirits/alcohol in general and thought it was high time I got off my back side and attempted to master the mysteries of distillation. I've never brewed beer (well ok, once in college me a few buddies bought a kit but I hardly count that as experience) or created any alcohol whatsoever. I've recently found that I have the time, motivation and income necessary to do this the way I would like to do it. I hope to be able to learn to do it very basically and acquire as many skills across several disciplines as possible. Then slowly progress to more advanced methods as I feel the urge.
My still - or what will be my still - was purchased on line. It's an all copper kit, with 5 gal boiler and 1 1/2" x 12" (I think) column that I'll assemble some time in the next few weeks. It's essentially a bunch of flat copper cut outs. I have a few more tools to purchase and some soldering practice to do before I start to assemble her in earnest. I can't wait. She'll only be a 5 gallon still when completed. I have no more ambition at the moment than to be able to produce a few jars of simple corn alcohol that is drinkable. If that's all I am ever able to do I'll be happy...but that being said, I've always loved a dry white rum so I'm probably opening a can of worms here.
Currently, I am attempting to dry out about 25 pounds of corn that I "malted". I use the quotes because I can only guess that it's malted. Probably 1/4 of the kernels have rootlets and acrospire after being soaked twice for 24 hours at a time then kept moist in a burlap sack. I'm hoping that will be sufficient. Not sure how I am going to grind this stuff if it does dry out? Worst case scenario I've got a decent albeit small mortar and pestal if I can't think of something else soon.
This is my first attempt at everything in the process so wish me luck and thanks again for the resource. Any and all advice is always welcome.
My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
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SoTexSurfer
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Truckinbutch
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Re: My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
I'd say that you are off to a good start . Go slow , be safe , and keep reading here . Any question you would have is asked and answered here already if ya spend the time to look .
If you ain't the lead dog in the team , the scenery never changes . Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
Re: My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
Welcome and enjoy you reading 
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SoTexSurfer
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Re: My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
Thanks very much!
Re: My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
Welcome to HD! There's some rum recipes in the TnT section. Haven't tried any of em but if there in that section there proven. Also read member BuccaneerBob's rum recipe in his signature. It sounds really good. Good luck be safe and have fun.
"If your gonna be stupid, you better be tough"--My dad
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SoTexSurfer
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Re: My First Post and I am Thrilled to be here.
Can anyone recommend the best way to search for topics and at what point I should just post any questions I have? I feel like I have been searching through corn malting/fermenting related posts for days. I've read a lot but not found anything specific to my situation. I'm sure the answers I seek are here somewhere but I feel like I am missing something when it comes to being able to find it? Any suggestions? Thanks.