HEY EVERYBODY!

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

WELL A LITTLE ABOUT ME. I HAVE BEEN MAKING WINE FOR 3 YEARS AND IT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! I CAME ACROSS THIS SITE IN MY QUEST TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT WINES AND ALCOHOL. IT HAS INSPIRED ME TO BUILD A STILL.
FUNDS ARE TIGHT. SO I HAVE HAD TO START CHEAP. I HAVE TOOK A 2.5 GAL STAINLESS STEEL FIRE EXTINGWISHER WITH A BRASS TOP, PUT A TEMP GAUGE IN THE TOP, RAN A COPPER TUBE (QTR IN.) WHERE THE NOZZLE HOSE WAS, RUNNING MY LINE THRU A COOLER FULL OF ICE AND INTO MY COLLECTION JAR . IT WORKS GREAT WITH WATER. I FOUND UNCLE JESSES SIMPLE MASH RECIEPE, JUST STARTED IT TODAY. I'VE GOT SOME REAL GOOD FIG WINE AND WOULD LOVE TO TRY MAKING BRANDY OUT OF IT. WHICH EVER I CHOOSE. THIS IS MY FIRST RUN OF ANYTHING. I KNOW THE FIRST WINE I MADE TASTED LIKE SHIT, IT WOULD PUT YOU WHERE YOU WANTED TO BE, IF YOU COULD HANDLE THE TASTE , NO PROBLEM NOW. I COME FROM THE SOUTHERN US, IN THE LAND OF THE FAMOUS MOONSHINER NAMED PERCY FLOWERS. WISH I HAD PAID MORE ATTENTION TO MY GRANDDADDY! ANY HELP OR COMMENTS WOULD BE GREAT, I'VE GOT MY TEMPS DOWN RIGHT (I THINK), BUT I HAVE ALOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT FORESHOTS, HEADS, TAILS, CUTS AND SO FOURTH. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE, HOPE TO HEAR FROM YA SOON.

[rad14701]

Welcome to the forums, CAROLINASHINE 69...

Stop shouting... All Cap's are very hard to read...

Have you one a lead test on that fire extinguisher...???

Good luck...

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

no , but i'm going to run vineger in itn now, the more i read the more i think i need too.
don't want to waste my brew.

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

how do i do a lead test?

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

sorry, adout the caps, i wish i had copper, but i don't so i got to use what i have , will vinegar work?

[Dnderhead]

you can git a lead test kit from a hardware store used for paint.

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

thanks, found a lead test kit at lowes home imp. using an open air gas burner, got a fire ext., is there anything else i might need to know before try my first run?

[Dnderhead]

hydrometers, one for wine/beer, and one for alcohol.some times called alcohol meteor or proof&tralle.
assorted jars/bottles , larg spoon or paddle, a larg pot to heat water/cook grains.
something for a fermentor, siphon hoes. some stuff you should have in your kitchen measuring cup,spoons etc

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

i think, i got all that , my issues are what to throw and what to keep. i'm working with 5gal. wash and a 2.5gal. still. which leaves me with about 4gals. of wash, that i can cook only about 2.25gals. at a time, leaving some head room in the still, don't want it to puke.
i don't have an alcometer, always done my wine, by taste and time fermenting. i'm using a simple grain mash wash, so i'm letting it sit for 7 days. i still feel like i'm flying by the seat of my pants. if i don't throw out the first 5oz. can i mix it back in with the rest and it not hurt me . if i can drink my wash as beer then what would that hurt? also i've been told that when the temp. gets to 200 degsF. stop my run, that is mostly water, is that right?

[Dnderhead]

"" can i mix it back in with the rest and it not hurt me ""
yes if you like a hangover, but then your better off not taking it out to begin with.because if you keep adding fore shots back they will
keep accumulating. heads and tales can be added back but sounds like your not taking heads out.
if you had a alcohol meter you could tell if you were getting all the alcohol out or stopping to soon.

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

ok about the alcometer, i think the first time, i'm gonna try for a headache, waste not want not!

[olddog]

Sounds like your gonna learn the hard way

[CAROLINASHINE 69]

always done everything the hard way, not sure about the first 5oz. don't want to hurt myself but so much

[Fester]

Toss out the first few ounces. You won't miss it. Use it for charcoal starter or something (because thats what it is).
Collect in small jars and only keep the ones you think taste good. The rest you can add to the boiler in the next batch so you don't feel like you're wasting it.
The first chance you get, try to pick up an alcohometer (sometimes you can find one at the UBrew store for $8-10). Its hard to work this hobby without it.
Welcome, Carolinashine 69. Have fun.
Fester

[Hillbilly Bill]

You won't go wrong listening to Fester... I always toss my first 50 ml... it isn't worth it to take a chance with this stuff. Check that fire extinguisher for lead... I have a bro-in-law who is crippled from lead poisoning. You're too young to be taking a chance on the same fate. If you can't afford an outfit that is lead-free, wait until you can. It really isn't expensive getting started, but you really have to watch your p's and q's until you know where all of the spiders and snakes are.
Good luck,
Bill