North of 49

[Rich S Brews]

Greetings from the left coast. I think there are a few other Canucks on here. Since I've been a serial lurker for about 3 years thought I ought to join up at least to say thanks for all the info over that time. Been a 2inch pot stiller for about 4 years and the site really helped my progress alot faster than I wouldve on my own. Just got some free copper and upgrading to a 3inch modular, also building a better mash tun cuz Im suspect of the anti-fungal chemicals in beer coolers. Im a scotch fan so I deal with malted barley almost exclusively except for maybe the occasional rum batch from feed molasses, or malt mixed with chicken feed for an irish whisky. Considering perf plates but really love the simplicity of the empty column. Use it for my second run maybe?

Got into this because
1: although im a blue collar worker, Im secretly a science geek trapped in a blue collar body.
2: the libertarian in me is saying, no victim no crime, and avoid tax

Obviously there are many more knowledgable people than me here so Ill try to keep my rants and rambling slightly under my breath most of the time. Thanks again everyone

[Truckinbutch]

Welcome . Keeping rants to your self will extend your time here . That rule is pretty inflexible and the Moderators are honor bound to enforce it . Don't place them in the unsavory position of enforcement and we all live in harmony .

[corene1]

Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to hearing some of your ramblings. Sometimes that is where the best ideas come from.

[Wiz of Oz]

Welcome from another left coast Canuck!

I too am a pot stiller and have been for the last few years now. I have been making rum exclusively until recently when I decided in my head that I want some gin so I have been working away at Rad's All Bran trying to get a good stock pile of neutral while my latest 6 gallons of rum is aging away.

I also love me a good scotch and one day hope to make some.

Cheers!

Wiz

[Rich S Brews]

Wiz of Oz --decided in my head that I want some gin

How do you get a clean enough product with a pot still for gin , or am I missing something. Ive never done gin or vodka because I thought you needed a plated still? Or do you just use packings in your column

[StillerBoy]

Welcome to HD.. from a fellow Canadian

You will learn even more as you post the issue or problem you have not been able to find a solution to..

Enjoy the journey
Mars

[StillerBoy]

Wiz of Oz --decided in my head that I want some gin

How do you get a clean enough product with a pot still for gin , or am I missing something. Ive never done gin or vodka because I thought you needed a plated still? Or do you just use packings in your column

You are posting in the wrong section.. and you are high-jacking this thread..

Mars

[Wiz of Oz]

Rich S-You don't need a plated still and no I don't have any packing.

This is my first attempt and I am still working away at it but there are a few guys on here that are quite successful at making a neutral on their pot stills and that is what gave me the idea to try it myself. The thing with a pot still is that you need to keep running it until you achieve a product you are happy with.

From what I have read, most guys that are making a neutral with their pot stills are doing 3, 4 or sometimes even 5 spirit runs. I've stripped and done 1 spirit run on 225 liters worth of All Bran wash. After cuts I have roughly 12 liters of 75%abv which I will dilute with water back down to 30% abv or so and give spirit run #2. Again I will make cuts, dilute with water and do spirit run #3. After that I will make cuts and see whether or not I need to do a 4th spirit run. I've read that you basically keep going until your backset is clear after your spirit run. I have also read that some guys do put baking soda in their low wines to help the process along but I have not done that.

For sure it is a time consuming process but it's a process that I enjoy and since I mostly make rum I have yet to feel any need to make another still. That may change depending on how this all goes, we will see.

The HDGoogle search will help you in your search for the finer details. I went with All Bran for my neutral as Odin mentioned this would be a good one for a gin base and I want to start my gin explorations with Odin's Easy Gin recipe in the Tried and True section.

Edit-I was writing this and didnt see Stillerboy's post till after I responded. Not sure if you can hijack your own post but technically speaking this is the Welcome thread so I will apologize in advance if I am ruffling feathers by responding to your question.

[Grappa-Gringo]

More and more of us west coasters are coming out of the woodwork....welcome aboard