Looking to make a wash and need a bit of help

rcmpayne · Post by **rcmpayne** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:21 pm

I have the new 4-liter stainless steel electric countertop distillation unit; will be here in 3 days. What I want to do is get a wash on the go and am not sure if I should do sugar, Grain or molasses. What I am looking to do is try to get something as close as I can to Gibson’s witch is a whisky.

Could some one please give me a idea on what to start with, I know this may be a process to get what I want and like.

P.S. I have made 10 or so batches of white wine

Gibson’s Site
http://www.gibsonsfinest.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:25 pm

youre answer can be found here http://homedistiller.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow there are lots of recipes and suggestions under the preparing wash section
I would think a few simple sugar ferments and runs would be a good idea before doing a grain wash ... but thats just my take on it ..

Uncle Remus · Post by **Uncle Remus** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:49 pm

To start with, a 4 liter capacity still is nowhere near big enough to make anything except distilled water. It would simply be too hard to make any kind of head and tail cut. If you put in 4 liters of mash or wine with 10% AV you would end up with only a small amount of drinkable spirit.

You gotta go bigger.

Post by **Usge** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:45 pm

If you are looking for whiskey....I'd give UJSM a go. It's hard to mess it up.

Here's a subdivded 1/4 recipe UJSM that should work for your 4L still:

1.25 gallons of water (5 quarts)
1.75.lbs sugar (1lb-12oz)
1.75 lbs cracked corn
1.5 tablespoons of WD distillers yeast with AG--pitch it dry (you can get it at Brewhaus) This will give you a consistent 10-13% wash with good flavor.

Use 1-2 quarts backset to 3-4 quarts water

You can read procedure for this in UJSM instructions.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:55 pm

I have to agree with Uncle Remus on the size also , a 4 liter wash that contains 10 percent alcohol run in a still that can collect @ 80 abv will result in 0.48 liter total and you cant get it all out .. now when ya toss foreshots , and make the heads cut and the tails.. you might have enough for a few ounces of Body (middle cut) left as product .. Hardley worth the effort ..but I guess would make a good science project..by the way good to see Uncle Remus ..been a while since I seen ya around, Busy I take ..

Post by **Usge** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:42 pm

On a 4L wash, I avg about 750-850ml collected (that's after foreshots of 35-50ml are tossed). I think if one did conservative cuts on that they'd end up with something like 450-500ml. Taking it on out...maybe 600-650ml. That seems to be about avg what I'm seeing.

I have a 5L copper alembic..as well as a recent purchase of one of these water distillers. Because I live in a very small apt, with a very small galley kitchen, I have to completely assemble, run and tear down my entire setup for every single run I make. Thats "why" I bought a small still to start with and also why I bought one of these little distillers. Beause they make great wash strippers. NO hoses, no making biscuits to seal things up, etc., etc., Just turn it on like a coffee pot. It does a decent job of stipping a wash, fits on my counter, and other than rinsing it out there isn't a lot to clean up and put away.

You are absolutely right to point out..that such a small size in and of itself is an extremely limiting factor because it is. But, then, so is living in a very small apt with no room and bad ventilation, etc., etc., I'd love to have a 20 gal or 40 gal still...but it ain't gonna happen. I have no where to put it....and just the vapor alone would probably set this place alite. Probably 20-30L Max. to do it safely and so that it wouldn't be too much trouble to setup and tear down.