New in town

[txcheddar]

Hello I am new in town. Distilling is new to me but I have been doing beer and wine for many years. . My still is a 26 gallon from MileHi. It's a great product, high quality and they treated me very well. I am wanting to build my own column but I have questions on diameter and height ratio or best practices. I have been studying up on the subject but there seems to be an less on information when you cross into larger stills and columns sizes over 3". Any information on the matter or point in right direction greatly appreciated.

I have watched just about every George Duncan Barley and Hops Brewing video on YOUTUBE that he has posted on the subject of Distilling. I have already read a lot on this site and I am ready to apply what I have picked up.

[LWTCS]

Welcome.
Can post your distilling questions in the relevant forum.

Enjoy.

[acfixer69]

Welcome to HD txcheddar. You will do best to leave George and B&H youtube at the door. It will slow your understanding how distilling works. This is a welcome thread to introduce yourself to the members. Read the required reading at the bottom of the page for a good start. Then post your questions in the proper forum as required.

[txcheddar]

I been looking into this for about 15 years. That's where I finally found the confidence to begin. Never said I understood everything or anything at that matter but I give him and forums like this credit for getting me over the hurdle of starting up this hill.

[jonnys_spirit]

Welcome to HD Tx! As they say - Read till your eyes bleed then read some more. 26gallons is a nice size and it'll produce quite a nice drop when you fill it with some quality low wines. Your experience with brewing and wine will probably be helpful for the fermentation part. Looking forward to seeing you around.

Cheers,
jonny

[NZChris]

I have watched just about every George Duncan Barley and Hops Brewing video on YOUTUBE that he has posted on the subject of Distilling.

Welcome to the forum txcheddar, (I'm a cheese maker in my spare time.)

I've only watched a couple of George's Youtubes. The best advice I've heard him give is to check out that what he is saying is correct. You really do need to do that because, from what I saw, it appeared that George hadn't taken his own advice and was passing on his own flawed logic, plus nonsense from other newbies that he'd been watching on Youtube instead of doing actual research.

Enjoy your journey.

Cheers
Chris

[Tummydoc]

Welcome txcheddar. Great new hobby. If George whetted your appetite, then thats good. Ignore his advice on any hardware issue related to distillation. Ferments, yeast washing, barrel reconditioning he might be ok. There is a lot of information here which can be a little overwhelming. It's kinda like reading George Martin's game of thrones series: so many damn characters and story lines at first that its confusing. But stick with it and it'll start to come together and make sense. If you're more of a visual learner, Jesse's you tube channel "Still It" is a more reliable option. He doesn't pose as an expert, and if he makes a mistake he'll post a video stating how he screwed up in his thinking or technique. Mistakes are our best and often most painful teachers! (George just doesnt seem to acknowledge his).