Newbie from Colorado

[hausflicker]

So I've spent this past summer reading the parent site, lurking the forum, and experimenting on my own, and I finally got around to signing up for my own account.

I've been a lifelong maker (only 24 years...I'm still young) and fell in love with home distilling a few months ago. I know I'm new, but I'm thoroughly enjoying every bit of the process so far.

Like I said, I've spent the past summer experimenting, and have ended up in the past few weeks settling in on an all-grain mash that I have had fairly consistent results with so far. I'm running my wash on a ~7 gallon pot still that I acquired second hand and am currently trying to collect 5 gallons of low wines so I can go ahead with a spirit run (currently 3/5 of the way there!).

I'm anxious to learn more, and to experiment with all the variables I can. As I near my first full-scale spirit run I'm becoming more and more interested in aging options for my whiskey. That's led to a lot of time spent browsing this forum. I've been particularly interested in the experiments of Badmotivater and Bain-Marie "barrels." That's where my research is currently focused and I'm interested in anything about oak, char/toast, seasoning, SA/V...etc.

I know as I go forward I'll expand my curiosity to other areas. Alternative grains and the intricacies of mashing are something I'm thinking of. I know I'd also like to work on building a new still...It's my ideal to have a hand in every part of the process that I can, but with all that I've currently invested, I'll stick with my second-hand still for the time being--it's getting the job done after all. But when I get around to it, I'm sure I'll be coming here with all my progress and questions.

Thanks for all the help I've already gleaned and cheers.

[HDNB]

welcome in!

a 24 yr old liver? you are making some people here pretty jealous. (at least one anyway)

watch out for that badmotivator, he will lead you to all sorts of vice

[Mikey-moo]

watch out for that badmotivator, he will lead you to all sorts of vice

That's why we love him so much!

Welcome to the forum!

How old is the 2nd hand still? If it's old old then you should check the soldering for lead. Post a couple of pictures up so we can drool over it or give you safety tips as appropriate

[Bushman]

+1 on Mickey Mo's comments. Buying second hand is a risk and we here at HD take safety very seriously (show us some pictures).

[Badmotivator]

Welcome to the forum! I'd be more than happy to help you in any way you need on your barrels. PM me or ask questions in the main Badmo Barrel thread, or here if it suits you. Cheers!


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[hausflicker]

watch out for that badmotivator, he will lead you to all sorts of vice

That's why we love him so much!

Welcome to the forum!

How old is the 2nd hand still? If it's old old then you should check the soldering for lead. Post a couple of pictures up so we can drool over it or give you safety tips as appropriate

I can see why. That thread's had me enthralled for the past week or so...

The still's not old, maybe a couple of years...and I've been assured that it's silver solder, though I guess I haven't tested it myself (is there an easy way to do that?). It's not my ideal still either, it's got a cylinder made of rolled copper and a simple smaller cylinder for the head, a narrow cap-arm, and a worm condenser. They're all over the internet. I'll see if I can get a photo or two on my next run. I would eventually like to build something along the lines of the traditional Kentucky pot still with a wider arm and body, but the price was right for my current still, and it does do the job.

[hausflicker]

Welcome to the forum! I'd be more than happy to help you in any way you need on your barrels. PM me or ask questions in the main Badmo Barrel thread, or here if it suits you. Cheers!


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Thank you! I certainly have some questions. Once I get my thought's and everything organized I'm sure you'll be hearing from me. I look forward to hearing the progress of your experiments.

[rad14701]

The still's not old, maybe a couple of years...and I've been assured that it's silver solder, though I guess I haven't tested it myself (is there an easy way to do that?).

Lead test kits are available at most paint stores and many hardware stores... The swabs are for testing for lead, regardless of the potentially contaminated material... Some county health departments have them available for free...