Distilled water

[lucky45acp]

My question is, Is it necessary to use Distilled Water when making your mash?,Or is well water OK? Thankyou

[Coyote]

You need the minerals and such in the water.
Distilling removes the good stuff

Coyote

[T-Pee]

Only use distilled water when diluting finished product.

tp

[shadylane]

As wisely pointed out distilled water isn't good for fermenting.
Also water that has been boiled will be short on the oxygen yeast needs at first.

[CoolHand]

You can use city water as long as your PH is around 5.2-5.5. PH is one of the most important factors.

[Candleworks]

Distilled water has a lack of minerals needed for a good mash and fermentation.
Most water supplies will work for a mash. You may help it along with a teaspoon of Gypsum. The added Calcium will react with the grain and lower the pH.

[lucky45acp]

Thankyou for answering my first question my friends. I have 2 more questions
First, after my first run, Is It SAFE to distill my first run in my copper pot still since it is mostly Alcohol? Or should I add water with it?
Second, Is it a good idea to run my finished product through Activated Charcol? and Is the charcol that you can buy at a pet store OK to use? Thankyou

[Coyote]

Lucky45acp,
Pard I am going to suggest you throw that thing in PARK and settle back
in the New Distiller Lounge and do some reading. A lot of reading.

The questions you are asking are pretty basic and should have been
covered/learned in your "Before Loading a Still" research.
You are going to get blasted, in short order for not having done
enough studying before firing that thing up.

I understand the desire, we have all been there.
We want you to enjoy this journey and not kill or injure yourself
or your family and friends, burn down your house, mentally scar the cat
for the next 8 lives, ect. . . .

Read my signature lines

Good luck

Coyote

[T-Pee]

Read my signature lines

Good luck

Coyote

And when you get done with those, read the links in my signature. See you in a few weeks.

tp

[HDNB]

since coyote is updating his sig lines, read t-pee's twice. you'll be glad you did!
(don't waste time on mine, they be aPhd in bullshit.