Greetings from NE Illinois "nudder new guy"

[snideman]

I've certainly learned alot from this informative site and it is an indispensible resource for all talent levels. I am awaiting my new still from Milehigh it should arrive tomorrow. There seems to be a general concensus against turbo yeast, reason why? Although I have never distilled, I have been homebrewin' for about 15yrs or so. I am really looking forward to my first run. Any suggestions about prep, procedure, or recipes for beginners would be much appreciated.
I will post pictures of the still when it arrives. It is a 3" reflux w/ milkpail boiler and electric heating element electronically controlled, well we'll see. Hope it works.
Thanks in advance!!!

[LWTCS]

There seems to be a general concensus against turbo yeast, reason why?

I can only respond based on fellow member's experience with the turbo solution.
I have read and read and concluded that much of what I have read is correct. So when I read that the turbo solution is not the best solution time and time again from trusted members of this community,,,,,,I believed the prevailing recommendations to be correct,,,,,again.

*I have read that turbo washes often need a clearing agent added to clear a completed wash (cha ching).
*I have read that the high ABV preference desired by folks who use turbos often results in a shity tasting and smelling distillate.
*I have read that by not shooting for an ABV any higher than 10 or 12%, One can get a superior distillate. Don't need a turbo when you shoot for 10 or 12%
*I know for fact that we have turbo free recipes here that will ferment to completion in 3 to 4 days time.
*I know for fact that my turbo free washes require no additional purchases of extra clearing agents or filtration equipment.

[Braz]

Welcome to the fold.

The turbo yeasts, as I understand it, tend to produce a harsh product. I just took the advice here and never tried them. So far, I've done OK using plain ordinary bakers yeast available from the grocery store. I have a restaurant supply outlet store (GFS) nearby so I buy it in 1lb packages.

For starters I'd suggest a few recipes in the "Tried and True" section, Wino's Plain Ol Sugar Wash (WPOSW) or Rad's Gerber or All Bran. WPOSW is dead easy and you probably want to use that one first for your cleaning run in your new still. It will make a pretty good pure spirit if that's what you are after.

I've been running All Bran and I like it. Easy to ferment and carries over just a hint of "wheatiness" in my vodka.

Braz

[Kentucky shinner]

I tried the turbo's before I found this site. My stuff was undrinkable. I think the turbos are more for making fuel, taste does not matter. I actually had a friend of mine try my first run where I used turbo with a sweet feed wash and he actually threw up on the spot. It was I mean awful. dumped all down the drain. I still have some turbo in my cabinet that I would give away. It would be great if you want to make lantern fuel or something like that. If you want a really good tasting spirit, stay away from turbos. All I use now is Red Star, Fleischman's and I have used some distillers yeast for some grain recipes. Let me suggest that you go to the tried and true recipes. They work and taste really nice. If you want a whiskey try Uncle Jessee's sour Mash, if you want some nice neutral try Rads All bran or Gerber wash. you wont be sorry. I hope I did not rant to much about the turbo's but it taste like shit.
Welcome , Kentucky Shinner

[WalkingWolf]

I actually had a friend of mine try my first run where I used turbo with a sweet feed wash and he actually threw up on the spot.

aaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh

I still have some turbo in my cabinet that I would give away.

I have a pack or two in the cabinet also if someone would like to conduct their own experiment. I bought it then found HD before I had a chance to use it. I guess being a greedy bastard is just part of human nature. Not greedy no more, just a bastard.

WW

[snideman]

Nuff Said, I guess the 3 bags they are sendin' me will be used as cleaner. Anybody out there actually split the wash as I read on another thread and product came out good? Wonder if I can run my John Deere wit it? But then again I'd just be wastin my time. Out to buy some Red Star.

[LWTCS]

Anybody out there actually split the wash as I read on another thread and product came out good?

You'll prolly have your best success if your refluxing. Recon the reflux crew might say strip it first, then dilute before you push it through the column. Then do it again.

If your just pot stilling, there might be a fella that'll tell ya to "pour it on the ground".

[rednose]

Why Turbo if you have as a homedistiller all the time of the world you need to make your own great booze; without having hangovers next day after you' had a party?

The destination should be to make the best likker not the fastest.

JMHO

Joe