Home Distiller

This is my second intro since my first was very vague and pointless

Hello all, im new to the hobby. I have been reading on the forums for several months now and recently purchased Smileys book "making pure corn whiskey". I am still in the research stage of everything still ( im a fast learner and thought i could just pick out a style still and a recipe and be on my marry drunken way ) well the more i read the more i realized im lost and don't have a clue. so before i kill my self or someone else im in my 5 month of reading and searching. (3+ hrs a day reading)

So a little about myself here, Im a handy man, I know how to mig and tig weld, ive been to school for sheet metal fabrication and feel as if im a fast learner and a teachable person.
So far I have gone out and bought two stainless steel kegs, one is 15.5 gal and the is 7.5 gal. (went the legal way of doing this by the way ) and for the bigger keg my thoughts are to make a 2" pot still with a worm and the smaller keg doing boka or a Nixon offset.
My reasoning behind these is cause,for the pot still make whiskey, I love my whiskeys, the boka or Nixon I can also use to "strip" with and then make vodkas , etc., with.

Also I am looking for so direction or input on the best way about making "white lightning" there are just so many things on here about it that im lost and confused about it. I had lightning yearssss ago and have since been dying to make my own.

so fellas i am open to all criticism and help! thanks for the time and all the wealth of knowledge you guys have put on here

-Pot Belly Shine

Ps it's also my intro I took off another site I use

Welcome to the site - I think there is a point where everyone has that "ah-ha" moment and it all comes together.You will get there.

I would say that you are well on your way. IMHO, put your still together and get some wash started.

I have a saying as a wood worker when something breaks or goes wrong. It's only wood, it can be fixed. My point is this....you may not like what you build the first time out, but it sounds like you have skills that many of us do not possess and you can always change something down the road. So long as you cover your bases and be safe you will learn as much by doing at some point as you will by reading.

Just my opinion.

Hey there PBS, I also started off with Smiley's book and it can be quite confusing to a beginner. My reccomendation is to skip all parts about building the still he has layed out in the book. It's a big and complicated still build for a beginner and a lot to take in, so I would start with a simple pot still. Read up on the principles of distillation and the "no-cook" method for whiskey.

I think you will find that after you get into making some sour mash or sugarhead, Smileys book will be a great reference to you when you have some questions. I read the damn thing two times, but it really didn't all start coming together until I became a member on here. There is tons of great info on here, read it over on the areas you are unsure about, and if you still have questions, ask.

Thanks Fellers for the insight! I tend to a perfectionist and want to be the best right out the gate. But like many tradesmen I tend to learn best with my hands. (High school was never my strong point) ill get all my copper together order up my supplies (triclamps, fittings, etc.) and be on my way. One last thing, I can get 100lb bags of cattle corn straight from the silo for $15!!!. It's not sweet corn and is not treated with chemicals but can I use this for making my sour mash?!


~Pot Belly Shine

Yes you can use it for Sour Mash, but I would get it cracked if you can. It will release more corn flavor for you if you do.