Distilling rookie!

[kronikbud]

Hi all, im very new to the world of distilling and only know what my local brewshop has told me. I bought a turbo500 reflux still around a month ago and have run 3 washes through it so far. I was told to use 6kg of dextrose suger and a turbo yeast for the wash then i was told to use a turbo clear once i got a special gravity reading of .990 or lower, once i have done that i distill and have been averaging around 93-95% @ 3-3.5L once distilled i dilute to around 40% then carbon treat. I have only used essence so far but do have a few litres flavouring with jack daniels oak chips at the moment. I was relativly happy with the results but from what ive been reading thats a bad way to do things, im not a veteran spirit drinker but would like to produce good quality whiskey, bourbon, vodka and gin, will this be possible using this method??? im an absolute beginner so any advice would be much appreciated... thankyou!

[rubber duck]

Welcome aboard.

Looks like you have fallen into the brewshop trap. In my opinion turbo yeast is garbage, essence is garbage, and why are you using dextrose? The brew shop guy told you to use dextrose didn't he? That's one of the most expensive ways to make neutral. Don't go back to the brewshop until you have a handle on what your doing. In fact I wouldn't ever go back.

Head over to the new distillers reading lounge and check out the tried and try recipe section, the deathwish and bird watchers recipies make good neutral. That will get you in the right track.


RD

[kronikbud]

Thanks, yeah they told me dextrose was the best sugar to use! i probably should have done more research before i rushed out and bought a still. I will definetly try some of the recipe's in the tried and true forum, thanks for the info i will be doing alot more reading from now on...

[kiwistiller]

Don't sweat it, I started out with a brew shop still. Once you learn the limitations and the ways around them, you can probably make some nice product with it - at least the vodka and gins, anyway. once you've outgrown it, it'll fetch a large amount of your purchase price second hand, and you can move on to bigger and better things.

Welcome, anyway.

[Austin Nichols]

Head over to the new distillers reading lounge and check out the tried and try recipe section, the deathwish and bird watchers recipies make good neutral. That will get you in the right track.


RD

Yep I can vouch for those two recipes, just ran a DWWG today and got 6.5 liters of 40% once diluted for about $11.00au, and the Birdwatchers is a bit cheaper, but both are real cheap when you consider no carbon filter required.

I have been using a T500 as well, at least you (kronikbud) got a decent shop bought still that can be improved from standard.

Welcome aboard

Cheers.

[Bayou-Ruler]

I'm a neutral man myself. I haven't tried Birdwatchers wash yet but, I have had great success using Winos Plain Old Sugar Wash.
One thing is for sure, once you do try either of these recipes and get away from Turbo Yeast, You will be amazed how clean and odor free your distillate will be. Turbo Yeast are great for making fuel, but are horrible for making straight from the condenser drinkable spirits.

[Samohon]

Yeah, as Kiwi said, 'dont sweat it', kronikbud. You made a decision and now move on. The good news is that your learning process has already begun.
Tried and True/Novice reading lounge. Good luck with your journey, an keep us posted, were here to help...

Oh, nearly forgot, Welcome to HD....

[rad14701]

Greetings, kronikbud...

It's a shame that there are ruthless folks out there like those commonly found in brew shops... You go in there and cast your eyes upon a still and they've got you... They play it up like they are you newest best friend and you take the bait because they are in complete consent of your newfound illegal hobby (in most countries)... The next thing you know they have provided you with the best of everything you need (they are your newest best friends, right?), and have collected everything but the lint from your pockets... And, of course, they welcome you to stop back again, or to call should you have any questions (because they'll have an answer that they can sell you)... Damed nice new friends, or so you are left to think...

Now that you have found where you really needed to be before you plunked down your cold hard cash, read up and benefit from the wealth of information being made freely available to you...

Welcome, and good luck...

[Kentucky shinner]

several recipies in the tried and true section. one of my personal favorites for nutreul is rad's all bran.
KS

[kronikbud]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, i will be trying one of the tried and true recipe's on my next go and will let you all know how it goes... I want to create fine quality sipping spirits so i will be here asking many more questions some of which will probably be stupid one's but i will try and find the answers before i do. thanks all

[kronikbud]

Here i go again, i have had problems reaching a sg of .990 on my last two washes. i got it on my first go but the last two have stopped just below 1000, is it something im doing wrong or does it even matter? I didnt notice a big difference in taste maybe a slightly more chemical taste if anything, i have the temp at around 20-23c...

[kiwistiller]

How long are you waiting for it to finish out dry? Feel free to drop by for a drink / yarn if you're ever over remuera way.

[rad14701]

An SG of 1.000 or lower is fine... Don't fret if you don't get to 0.990 every time... There are lots of variables in play, your somewhat low wash temperature being just one of them... 24C/75F - 30C/85F will keep most yeast strains happy and active, resulting in a faster and more complete ferment... Also remember to take temperature compensation into consideration when taking SG readings...

[kronikbud]

Thanks again for all the advice, hey kiwi id definetly be keen to pop over for a yarn at some stage. im on the shore but it would be worth the trip to speak with someone other than my local brewshop, thanks...

[Samohon]

They play it up like they are you newest best friend and you take the bait because they are in complete consent of your newfound illegal hobby (in most countries)... The next thing you know they have provided you with the best of everything you need (they are your newest best friends, right?)

Yeah Rad, I had a, "Brew Master", trying to sell me a smart still. I told him that it was illegal to distill spirits in Scotland/UK and he was very adament that it was NOT... To the point that he wanted my email address so the he could, 'post me recent legislation'... I declined... If the UK government had made it legal, I think I would have heard about it...

"At the same time the smartstill will give you 65% abv and the full range of turbo yeasts available are just amazing...", he said, "Not to mention all the flavours from our vast range of essences...". Please, I only went there for a glass wine thief... Maybe they should read the law pertaining to our illegal hobby... And have they ever tasted some hooch from their amazing turbo range....?

Could'nt wait to get into the car.....

[kiwistiller]

Thanks again for all the advice, hey kiwi id definetly be keen to pop over for a yarn at some stage. im on the shore but it would be worth the trip to speak with someone other than my local brewshop, thanks...

If you need a decent brewshop, Brewers Coop are alright. They still do the essence / turbo thing, but I've found them to be a cut above the 'your shout' chain and the likes. Especially good for beer supplies, and the owner (Mike) is a good sort. They also sell peated distillers malt

[kronikbud]

Hey thanks kiwi, ill check em out. Ive been dealing with Hauraki Brewing seems they are close to where i live.
I havnt been for awhile though ive been steering away from the old essence as ive been experimenting with vodka and fruit, much more fun!!!