Home Distiller

I was shopping in my local Winco (discount grocery) last night and was really struck by the wide variety of items available in the bulk (bin) section. The prices seem fairly reasonable for one-off, smallish (10 gallons or so) batches. So far I've only used corn, rolled oats and mixed feed. There are a lot of other options here...can anyone with a much longer distillation record point out any good single or combo ingredients I might want to try? Sorry the list is so long and full of stuff we probably would never use, but I'm curious about some of these as ingredients you may have tried but most don't know about... I doubt nuts are fermentable (or are they?) but I know they make a great infusion (walnuts & cognac) so I left them. Also I know MR is working with noodles, so I left pasta as well...

Looking forward to your expertise or even speculations!

NUTS

Almonds,whole $3.78
Almonds, chopped $3.67
Almonds, slivered $3.52
Almonds, salted $3.48
Almonds, smoked $3.48
Almonds, Timari $4.58
Almonds,sliced $3.44
Brazils $5.18
Cashew pieces, salted $3.48
Cashew pieces, raw $2.87
Cashew Whole $5.15
Hazel Nuts $4.58
Macadamia $12.22
Mixed Nuts, unsalted $3.56*
Mixed Nuts, with peanuts $3.58*
Mixed Nuts, deluxe mix $5.08
Mixed Nuts, honey roasted $4.08
Pecans halves $8.55
Pecan pieces $7.47
Peanuts, unsalted $1.42
Peanuts, dry $1.48
Peanuts, roasted $1.42
Peanuts, salted Spanish $1.64
Peanuts, raw Spanish $1.42
Peanuts, in shell $1.14
Pine nuts $19.98
Pistachio Kernels $9.22
Pistachios, in shells $4.69
Soy nuts, salted $1.26
Walnuts, medium pieces $3.30
Walnuts, halves, pieces $3.32
Walnuts, glazed $3.77

Dried Fruit

Adriatic Figs $3.19
Apple rings $2.75
Apricots $3.14
Apricot Coconut Logs$4.00
Bananas $1.51
Black Mission Figs $2.83
Blueberries $7.46
Cranberries $3.67
Cran-cherries $3.65
Cran-strawberries $3.65
Cherries $6.39
Dates, whole $2.33
Dates, chopped $1.73
Mangos $2.75
Mango Pineapple $1.37
Mangos with Chile $3.60
Papaya Spears $1.82
Pineapple $2.03
Pineapple with Chile $2.68
Prunes $1.83
Raisins $1.56
Raisins, golden $2.28
Strawberries $3.65
Tomatoes $3.90

Pasta

Angel hair $0.74
Bowties $0.93
Cous-cous $1.78
Cous-cous,tricolor $1.88
Duros $1.44
Eggnoodles, extra wide$1.10
Eggnoodles, whole wheat $1.35
Fettuccine $0.79
Fusilli $0.78
Lasagna $1.26
Linguine $0.74
Macaroni $0.74
Macaroni, whole wheat $0.92
Macaroni, salad $0.74
Gluten Free Elbow Macaroni $1.55
Orzo $0.74
Penne Rigate $0.74
Penne Mostacelli $0.74
Penne, whole wheat $0.94
Rainbow Radiatore $1.08
Rainbow Rotelle $1.09
Rigatoni $0.74
Rotini $0.74
Rotelle, whole wheat $0.91
Shells, small $0.74
Shells, medium whole wheat $1.91
Shells, large $0.74
Spaghetti $0.74
Spaghetti, whole wheat $0.98
Spaghetti, organic $1.23
Wagon Wheel $0.78


Tricolor Tortellini $4.43
Cheese Ravioli $4.43
Parmesan cheese $3.76
Parmesan Romano cheese $3.98

Beans

Adzuki $1.67
Black $0.87
Black Eyed Peas $0.90
Flor De Mayo Beans $1.76
Garbanzo $0.77
Great Northern $0.79
Hominy $0.49
Kidney $0.75
Lentils $0.73
Lentils,red $1.22
Lima, baby $0.81
Lima, large $1.21
Maya Coba $1.08
Navy $0.74
Pink $0.91
Pinto $0.55
Red, small $0.80
Soy $0.70
Soup Mix, beanland $0.90
Soup Mix, 13 bean $1.08
Split Peas, green $0.48
Split Peas, yellow $0.49


Rice


Arborio $1.76
Basmati $1.18*
Basmati, Brown $1.29
Bistro Blend Rice $2.95
Brown, short $0.74
Brown, organic $1.76
Converted Rice $0.61
Jasmine $0.88
Jasmine, brown $1.12
Jubilee Rice Mix $2.07
Lentil Rice Blend $2.65
Long grain, White $0.48
Long grain, brown $0.53
Pearl rice $0.75
Pearl barley $0.40
Wild Rice $8.18
Wild Rice, lemon Herb $3.90
Wild Rice pilaf $3.53


Spices

Allspice, ground $5.24
Allspice, whole $5.06
Basil $2.20
Bay Leaves, whole $4.00
BBQ seasoning $2.33
Beef Soup Base $3.92
Bacon Salt $8.90
Brown Gravy Mix $2.30
Cardamom $14.18
Cayenne $2.41
Celery Seed, whole $2.22
Cheese Sauce Mix $5.31
Country Gravy Mix $2.59
Chicken Gravy Mix $2.76
Chicken Soup Base $3.32
Chili Powder $2.84
Chili Powder, extra hot $2.99
Chives $11.10
Cilantro $8.80
Cinnamon $1.64
Cinnamon Sticks $2.40
Cloves $6.13
Cloves, whole $6.98
Cracked Peppercorn Herb Blend $3.71
Cream of Tartar $5.67
Cream Soup Base $4.78
Croutons, cheese/garlic $2.69
Croutons, small seasoned $2.48
Croutons, large seasoned $2.51
Croutons, Multi-grain Cheese/Garlic $3.18
Crushed chili peppers $2.38
Cumin $3.38
Curry $2.67
Dill Seed, whole $2.32
Dill Weed $6.13
Falafel Mix $3.15
Garlic, minced $2.58
Garlic, granulated $2.58
Garlic salt $1.43
Garlic powder $2.66
Ginger, ground $3.20
Ginger, crystallized $2.31
Ground pepper $3.53
Hummus Mix $4.50
Imitation Bacon bits $1.49
Instant Refried Beans $4.46
Instant Potatoes ( flakes )$1.08
Italian seasoning $4.35
Lemon Pepper $3.52
Mustard, ground $2.49
Nature’s Burger Mix $3.01
Nutmeg $8.08
Onion Salt $1.46
Onion, chopped $3.38
Onion, minced $3.29
Onion, granulated $3.38
Onion Powder $2.76
Onion Soup Mix $2.76
Oregano $3.11
Paprika $3.82
Parsley $4.97
Peppercorns $4.18
Peppersteak Seasoning $4.49
Pickling Spice $2.58
Poppy Seeds $4.17
Poultry Seasoning $4.37
Pizza Seasoning $3.98
Pumpkin Pie Spice $3. 11
Roasted Garlic Pepper Blend $3.71
Rosemary $2.58
Sage, rubbed $5.27
Salt, Iodized $0.23
Sea Salt $0.21

Yeast, instant $3.09

Spice Bottle, small $0.84
Spice Bottle, medium $1.16
Spice Bottle, large $1.32


Honey & PB station

Clover Honey $3.32
Blackberry Honey $3.54
Orange Honey $3.45
Almond Butter $3.96
Peanut Butter $1.48



Baking

Baking Powder $1.01
Baking Soda $0.48
Bitter Sweet Chocolate $4.38
Brown Sugar $0.60
Buckwheat Flour $1.68
Buckwheat Grouts $2.88
Buttermilk Biscuit Mix $0.84
Bulgar Wheat $1.21
Brownie Mix $1.07
Butter Scotch Chips $2.28
Carob Chips $2.01
Chocolate melty $2.28
Chow Mein Noodles $1.53
Chicken Breading Mix $1.22
Cinnamon Imperials (red hots) $1.55
Cocoa $2.78
Coconut, Sweet flaked $1.77
Coconut, unsweetened $1.45
Corn Grits Polenta $0.76
Cornmeal $0.50
Cornstarch $0.76
Cracked Wheat $0.36
Dark Chocolate melty $2.23
Dark Chocolate chips $2.63
Dark Chocolate chunk $3.07
Dark Rye Flour $1.15
Demerara Raw Cane Sugar $1.10
Farina Cereal $1.19
Flax Seeds $0.56
Flax Seeds, golden $0.84
Flax Seeds, meal $1.57
Fructose $1.43
Gluten Flour $2.56
Granola $1.58
Groats Whole Oats $0.85
Hulled Millet $0.43
Instant Nonfat Milk $2.52
Italian bread crumbs $0.74
M&M,Minis $4.26
Milk Chocolate chips$2.76
Milk Chocolate chunk $3.21
Muffin mix, corn muffin $1.76
Muffin mix, blueberry $1.06
Muffin mix, spiced apple $1.26
Nutritional Yeast $6.94
Oats, Steel Cut $0.86
Oats, 5 grain $1.06
Oats, 7 grain $1.03
Oats, 10 grain $1.10
Oats, organic $0.92
Oatmeal, Scottish $0.46
Oat Bran $0.85
Old Fashioned Oats $0.51
Organic Cane Sugar $1.18
Pancake Mix, 10 Grain $1.55
Pancake Mix, buttermilk $0.69
Panko Bread Crumbs $1.51
Piloncillo Wrapped $0.70
Pie Crust Mix $1.35
Pizza Crust Mix $0.77
Potatoes, Shredded $1.56
Potatoes, Sliced $1.54
Powdered Sugar $0.63
Quick Oats $0.50
Quina Grain $3.52
Rainbow toppings, (Sprinkles) $2.42
Rolled Red Wheat Flakes $0.64
Reese’s PB Chips $2.88
Semi Sweet chocolate chips $2.52
Semi Sweet mini chocolate chips $2.52
Semolina Flour $1.57
Soy Flour $1.22
Spelt Flour $1.38
Sugar $0.47
Tapioca Pearls $1.55
Tapioca Flour $1.28
Triticale Berries $0.63
Vanilla Chips $2.19
Vanilla melty $2.28
Wheat Bran $0.39
Wheat Berry Kernels $0.42
Wheat germ $0.90
White Flour $0.27
White Flour, unbleached $0.27
White Rice Flour $1.04
White Cake Flour $0.37
White Bread Flour $0.42
Whole Wheat Flour $0.41
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour $0.68
Whole Wheat Bread Flour $0.52

Breakfast Cereal

40% Bran flakes $1.47
Breakfast Orange Drink Mix $1.22
Bunch ‘O Crunch Cereal $1.62
Cherry Vanilla Cereal $2.41*
Cocoa Mix, Hot/Cold $1.02
Cocoa Munchie Cereal $1.75
Coffee Creamer $1.31
Corn Flakes $1.57
Crisp Rice Cereal $1.67
French Vanilla Cereal $2.41
Frosted Shredded Wheat Cereal $1.50
Fruit & Nut Granola $2.21*
Fruit Whirls Cereal $1.74
Granola, Almond Cluster $1.61
Granola, Almond Raisin $1.63
Granola, Apple Pecan $1.58
Granola, Blueberry Flax $2.41*
Granola, Cinnamon Raisin $1.58
Granola,Cranberry Almond$1.58
Granola, French Vanilla $1.63
Granola, Honey Almond $1.45
Granola, Honey Raisin Cashew $1.58*
Granola, Lowfat Apple Cinnamon $1.58
Granola, Lowfat Strawberry Raspberry $2.28*
Granola, Peanut Butter $2.88
Granola, Maple Nut $1.58
Happy Shapes Cereal $1.88
Honey Nut Toasted Oats $1.79
Granola $2.28
Muesli Cereal $1.78
Punch Drink Mix $1.21
Raisin Bran $1.91
Soy Protein Powder $4.97
Sugar Frosted Flakes $1.59
Toasted oats Cereal $1.68
Cereal Bowls $0.48Each
Apple Cinnamon Cereal Bar $0.26 Each
Strawberry Cereal Bar $0.26Each

Tea Bags $0.09 Each
Camomile Tea
Chai Spice Tea
English Breakfast Tea
Eral Grey Tea
Green Tea
Peppermint Tea
Orange Spice Tea
Raspberry Tea

Flax Seed Corn Chip $2.41

Tamari Almonds $4.28
Taste of the Orient Mix $2.28*
Toasted Corn $1.82
Toasted Corn, Ranch $1.83
Toasted Corn, Cajan $1.87
Vanilla and Chocolate Wafer Cookies $1.82
Wasabi Peas $2.05
Whole Wheat Fig Bars $3.63


Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Salt $2.96
Sunflower Kernel, no salt $1.34
Sunflower Kernel, salted $1.37
Sunflower Kernels, Honey Roast $1.61
Sunflower Kernels, Raw $1.00
Sunflower seeds, raw $0.83
Sunflower seeds, salted $1.03

Frosteecat


I like the way you think bro!

Thanks! Im not sure of the chemistry of foodstuffs in regard to fermentation...I guess sugar % =
Alcohol yield, so you'd have to evaluate from that standpoint. But just seeing the difference in flavors (extreme!) between say rolled oats and corn (smooth and nutty vs. sweet and carmalized), I look down that list and see a lot of possibilities!! All can be used to flavor, good or bad...but which have enough sugars to try and ferment...? Hmmm...

Sure I think all you really need is starch and malt and or amylase for the conversion, I guess anything would work beans, pasta, vegetables, fruit even nuts you name it.......acorns even and those can be got for free provided you can survive a drunken brawl with the enraged squirrels that is!



http://www.mannaharvest.net/millet-orga ... lling.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This millet sounds interesting, in Ian Smileys book he claims it makes for one of the best whiskey's...it seems its mostly sold as a bird feed so if you can locate a good source it could be cheap.



What I plan on trying is getting some small fermenters going say one gallon jugs a number of air locks and stoppers and trying many different types of things to see how the conversion and fermentation goes and what the yields are etc.

This would also be a good way to get the tried and true recipes down without doing whole big batches.

Call up Cargill and ask them if they have food grade or animal grade millet and see if they have safe products in processing them, if so, ask for a wholesaler/distributor. Go from there.