Buckeye blunders

[Uffucowboy]

When I started this very addictive hobby, I just wanted to see if i could do it. I spent a whole day ( lol ) looking on google to see what I needed. I looked at the science and mechanics of distillation. I watched the TV show. At this point, I figured I was an expert so I set to finding materials. I bought a stainless steel stockpot, found a plastic drum, 30 ft. of 1/2" copper tubing, and a handful of sharkbite connectors. I assembled what I believed to be an adequate setup. I got a food grade 5 gallon bucket and put an airlock on top of it.
I used corn ground fine and cane sugar. I used Bread yeast ( have since upgraded ) and put my mash to work. I checked it three or four times a day until it stopped bubbling.
when i ran it, I watched my temps precisely and 2 hrs later I had the most god awful tasting 130 proof concoction I had ever tasted.

That was 7 years ago. I have since upgraded ingrediants and equipment. I now run a keg still with a 2" column and I designed a really cool condenser. Which i will take pictures of and post later. thanks for reading this.

[rparody]

I had a very similar story myself. But man... you would be surprised at the level of detail and things that you can continue to learn as you get more experience in this hobby. There are physics and just overall general knowledge that really can help you put out some really good stuff. My crutch (originally) was fermenting. Took me a lot of understanding yeast and how they work etc. Now my achilles is the still. I designed one without anyone's help (2" LM Offset Nixon-Stone) and learned the hard way about what all it taxes to do refluxing correctly. I am still in the process of re-building a new still so I am excited to see what comes from it

The tried and true recipes here are pretty decent actually. I would personally point you to Wineo's Plain Sugar Wash. Others would have you check out Uncle Jesse's Sour Mash. Haven't done UJSM myself personally, but Wineo's has worked out well for me.

Welcome to the forum btw! If you were anything like me, I stalked this place many many many times before I became a member.

[Uffucowboy]

Guilty, I definitely stalked first. Thanks for the advice about mash.

[Chucker]

I hear ya on the learning and experience stuff. I was thrilled to make my first batch of terrible hooch and I sure knew there was a lot to improve upon. The results every season are better and better the more I keep learning. It’s a steep curve, to be sure, but it is it’s own reward and I look forward to soon getting the weather needed in the garage to get a batch started with the refinements applied from last season’s “class”.

[Truckinbutch]

It's a dance you learn as you go . I've achieved acceptable results through the info and good folks available here . Hope you have the same experience .