Got me some supplies ordered!

[Aaron_the_distiller]

I finally broke down and ordered 1lb of DADY distillers yeast, a test set(hydrometer, alcohometer, graduated cylinder), ad a novice book to help with some difficult questions. I think i made a good purchase. What about yall?

[Aaron_the_distiller]

All good purchases, what book did you order?

The book was "Moonshine!". Best one i could locate on the website for all the specifics and directions i needed, and best one for the price. Had several great reviews on it. It cost me $49.50 total, which was $8.95 for yeast, $14.95 fo the book, and $12.99 for the test set(on sale i believe). And $10 shipping and like $2.?? in taxes.

[T-Pee]

Here's a cheap one.

Stop by the stationery department the next time you hit the store and pick up something to use as a logbook and a dedicated pen. You'll thank me later.

tp

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Here's a cheap one.

Stop by the stationery department the next time you hit the store and pick up something to use as a logbook and a dedicated pen. You'll thank me later.

tp

Ok will do. I work at Brookshires Grocery here in texas. The largest grocery company in the arklatex area. Over 600 stores. We carry stationery so ill pick some up

[Aaron_the_distiller]

This is the link to the book i bought: http://www.brewhaus.com/Moonshine-P1006.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
I bought all of the above supplies from Brewhaus. Ive heard they are a great company.

[DuckofDeath]

Make sure you have a GLASS cylinder for your tester

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Make sure you have a GLASS cylinder for your tester

I think the one ordered in the kit is glass. Not sure. Ill look and see

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Yes its glass

[S-Cackalacky]

Sounds like the same one I bought. Only problem I had with it was that the base (green plastic stand) didn't fit the test jar very well. I made my own stand by drilling a 1-1/4" hole in a square piece of 2X4. I had to expand the hole slightly with a dowel and coarse sand paper. I glued a piece of 1/4" plywood on one side to block the hole and applied a few coats of polycryl to prevent moisture expansion/contraction. Makes a very stable platform for the sample jar.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Sounds like the same one I bought. Only problem I had with it was that the base (green plastic stand) didn't fit the test jar very well. I made my own stand by drilling a 1-1/4" hole in a square piece of 2X4. I had to expand the hole slightly with a dowel and coarse sand paper. I glued a piece of 1/4" plywood on one side to block the hole and applied a few coats of polycryl to prevent moisture expansion/contraction. Makes a very stable platform for the sample jar.

Ok. If mine doesnt fit, ill make a stand. Ive got plenty of wood pieces around the house from biulding a new porch

[Domiz]

"The complete distiller" is the best book I have ever red, is perfect for beginners and who want understand the chemical processes under this hobby

[Aaron_the_distiller]

"The complete distiller" is the best book I have ever red, is perfect for beginners and who want understand the chemical processes under this hobby

Well i mean im not a complete novice. Ive bee doing it with my grandpa for the past few years and ive made about 10 successful runs of my own, but i just need the specifics of the art. I have all the old timer shining skills but want to make a consistant quality run

[T-Pee]

My guess is that due to a better understanding of the process and in our materials we can make a better drop more consistently than the "old-timers".

Progress, ya know.

tp

[Aaron_the_distiller]

My guess is that due to a better understanding of the process and in our materials we can make a better drop more consistently than the "old-timers".

Progress, ya know.

tp

Yes, exactly. Not raggin on gramps, but im almost certain i can make some interestin discoveries with the assistance of the book. And the book contains proven theories and plans, not homegrown unknowns

[T-Pee]

Don't get too wrapped up in the book. I've found that if it's been done, you'll find it here on HD...many times with pictures.

tp

[Domiz]

The compleat distiller is not only for beginners, but it explains everything from the basic to the best techniques. If you search on Google you can find the pdf for free so you can see it and value yourself. I quote t-pee, because one of my uncle do a typical italian spirit, Mistrà, and he think that the foreshots are good to drink and they are the best part.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

The compleat distiller is not only for beginners, but it explains everything from the basic to the best techniques. If you search on Google you can find the pdf for free so you can see it and value yourself. I quote t-pee, because one of my uncle do a typical italian spirit, Mistrà, and he think that the foreshots are good to drink and they are the best part.

Ok. Note taken.

[Hound Dog]

Yea, I drank plenty of nasty shine before. Then I found this wealth of knowledge. I followed some advice and experimented to figure out some of what I did not understand. Now I make better liquor than I used to buy in the store and still experiment to see what else can be done for fun. I haven't even gotten into all grand mashes. Just sugar heads, cereal washes and such. They are way easy! I am going to try a Rice Crispies vodka soon.

[BigSwede]

It's truly amazing the sheer number of "extras" that get ordered if the plan is to build a still from the ground up. Budgets have a way of bloating hugely.

The list goes on and on... Everything from plugs and cables and elements for electric heat, to hydrometers, fermenting vessels, yeasts, hoses, pumps, fittings, etc.

[T-Pee]

Ain't it wonderful??

tp (big boy toy addict)

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Yeah i just ordered another $35 i dint have ( bloated budget ) on a 1lb bag of amylase and a jar of anti foam. I have invested roughly $500 in just the past month on my still, and ive only had it for about 1.5 months. I just dont even make a budget anymore. I just go with it. Im saving now to build an all copper still, like the one posted in the Moonshine! book. I just cant find a 3'x3' 2oz copper sheet anywhere. I could make a thicker/thinner walled, but its what the plans call for. And the 3'x3' is rare too. All i can find is 2'x10' and 2'x18.

[S-Cackalacky]

Not to mention all the extra tools if you weren't into metal working before starting the hobby. I think I've probably spent more for tools than for materials.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Yeah no kidding. I had most of my tools but did have to purchase a few things. I cant decide if it cheaper to buy a copper still kit from clawhammersupply.com, or build the same myself. The materials cost about the same as te kit does, but the kit is already predrilled and cnc-cut to fit. .......long and hard thinking.......

[woodshed]

The Moonshine book you ordered is a decent primer and your kids will dig the cartoons. The Parent Site here is a much better source of info. As is the rest of what we consider mandatory reading.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Foy your information, i have already read the parent site, more than once. Its not taught me anything that i have t learned yet, other than complex language. Ill give it a try again, but im not sure that its gonna help any

[woodshed]

That's good and bad. Good that you read it, bad that it hasn't been of use. Maybe Google search would be better?
That being the case I doubt the book will be of much help.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

The book did help a little. Ok i went back and found the calcs. That helped a good bit. I must have missed them before

[woodshed]

I know I have been kinda hard on you on your other topic. Remember the hard ass teacher you had in school? That's me. Only cause I really want you to get it. This is a very rewarding craft but it takes a lot of research and studying. Very few of the masters here (this does not include me) will make an effort to help if it appears the only way you are looking for it is by asking questions you would know the answer to by digging in deep.

I have been around distilling for over 40 years and read/research all the time.

[Aaron_the_distiller]

Ok. Well thanks for the help you did give. I used the calc and jave found out that a 12lb sugar wash at 4gal will cause a 21% potential. I believe ill use this from now on

[T-Pee]

Which of course is way too damned high. "Quality over quantity" my conscience Jimbo sez.

tp