A nice overview of the distillation process

[Sulaiman]

[Bushman]

One of the better videos I’ve seen on the process. My first still was a VM and I also recycled with a pond pump. My water was in a large garbage can and I froze 1 gallon plastic milk jugs and would add one to the water and as it melted would replace it with another one. In the video they used a lot more ice water than I did and we do have threads on using too cold of water. He really does a good job in his description and later I will watch his next video on making rum but these videos are over a 1/2 hour in length.

[OnceAlive]

In the video they used a lot more ice water than I did and we do have threads on using too cold of water.

I should first say that I didn't read on using water that could be TOO cold. I see his point though on using a kind of overkill setup to make sure the water temp stays the same no matter what you send back in it. Once that's done the tuning is much easier to manage since there's a lot less variations to deal with.

[Bushman]

In the video they used a lot more ice water than I did and we do have threads on using too cold of water.

I should first say that I didn't read on using water that could be TOO cold. I see his point though on using a kind of overkill setup to make sure the water temp stays the same no matter what you send back in it. Once that's done the tuning is much easier to manage since there's a lot less variations to deal with.

The video is well done, not all of us can dedicate a freezer to distilling. I am on a well and since I built my CM still I know longer recycle with a pond pump. When I used a large garbage can filled with cold water with my VM still I could run 8 hours by adding frozen milk jugs to the water and rotating them. I was always feeling the water and dumping some out and adding cold water to keep the temps constant. With my new still and my 4” diameter column my runs are about 3.5 hours and I recycle the warm water into my garden. Being on a well I am just using a little electricity but not charged for water use.

[BrewinBrian44]

I also watched that video and a couple others of his. It’s definitely geared towards people with not much understanding of the distillation process in an easily digestible, more scientific manner. Different than Jesse on Stillit.

When it comes to youtubers, I’m left wanting more… but considering legality of the hobby, some of the best guys on here are working quietly in their shed without anyone’s knowledge, until it becomes legal. I won’t hold my breath on that.

I get a vibe from Jesse that’s a bit more loosely goosey, touchy feely, artsy fartsy about the hobby, which is nice at times and probably attracts more viewers. He started making videos as a clear novice, which isn’t always the best approach. He should have a disclaimer to not watch some of his old videos. Haha. At times, it reminds me of someone making soup, not precise, throwing a dash of this and a pinch of that into the pot til it tastes right. It is cool seeing his journey into becoming a more competent distiller, which we can all relate to.

I feel like he’s backtracking a bit with some of his T500 videos of late… His new videos of going back to dumping copious amounts of sugar into his all grain recipes, as a failsafe makes me cringe a bit, but again, he’s trying to attract novice viewers. My BIGGEST MISTAKE in this hobby was starting with a T500. The same amount of money could have gone into the keg boiler setup I use today.

Good ole’ George’s videos interested me when I was new to the hobby, but after countless hours of research on here, it’s clear he’s a bit of a charlatan. Case in point his way of automating his still, clearly not the best method.

[Saltbush Bill]

The bottom line is that they all do it to try to make money.....i guess thats the difference between a forum and Youtube.
No one here gets payed to push products or give advice that may or may not be best.

[Swamptrout]

Different than Jesse on Stillit.

I get a vibe from Jesse that’s a bit more loosely goosey, touchy feely, artsy fartsy about the hobby, which is nice at times and probably attracts more viewers. He started making videos as a clear novice, which isn’t always the best approach. He should have a disclaimer to not watch some of his old videos. Haha. At times, it reminds me of someone making soup, not precise, throwing a dash of this and a pinch of that into the pot til it tastes right. It is cool seeing his journey into becoming a more competent distiller, which we can all relate to.

I feel like he’s backtracking a bit with some of his T500 videos of late… His new videos of going back to dumping copious amounts of sugar into his all grain recipes, as a failsafe makes me cringe a bit, but again, he’s trying to attract novice viewers. My BIGGEST MISTAKE in this hobby was starting with a T500. The same amount of money could have gone into the keg boiler setup I use today.

I come here for education. Go to stillit for entertainment.
I am the opposite. I liked his earlier videos because he wasn't a sell out trying to push his merch and patreons crap down your throat. He was just a dude like me trying to make some home brew and learning along the way.

And that beard now with the little bow in it. Fark me.

[BrewinBrian44]

I agree about the pushing of merch, it’s a bit much. I get the incentive to turn a profit for the amount of time and energy that goes into producing the content though.

It would be awesome if a super competent distiller made some videos, with a bit of entertainment along the way.

One of beauties to the hobby is cuts… no matter how much you read about them, you can only learn on your own and screw up up a batch to know how far you can push.

I came into this hobby as a hyper-competent home brewer, making completely dialed beers. I wanted to start off making excellent spirits, but man, I definitely learned you’ll make some crap before you make gold, regardless of how much you nail that mash/wash.

Hell, I’ve still gotten cocky, dumped my unaired jars in the keeper pot right after a run, then bam, wet socks 3 days later.

Success in this hobby requires a right of passage in time spent learning and a real test of patience. I love it. I’m kind of obsessed now lol

[BourbonStreet]

Jesse knows his stuff; his videos on cuts and blending are pretty good. However, he’s getting spoiled by that YouTube fame and fortune. Making a wash from M&M’s or Hot Tamales candy is just clickbait. The merchandising and Patreon money is addictive…

[LWTCS]

I also watched that video and a couple others of his. It’s definitely geared towards people with not much understanding of the distillation process in an easily digestible, more scientific manner. Different than Jesse on Stillit.

When it comes to youtubers, I’m left wanting more… but considering legality of the hobby, some of the best guys on here are working quietly in their shed without anyone’s knowledge, until it becomes legal. I won’t hold my breath on that.

I get a vibe from Jesse that’s a bit more loosely goosey, touchy feely, artsy fartsy about the hobby, which is nice at times and probably attracts more viewers. He started making videos as a clear novice, which isn’t always the best approach. He should have a disclaimer to not watch some of his old videos. Haha. At times, it reminds me of someone making soup, not precise, throwing a dash of this and a pinch of that into the pot til it tastes right. It is cool seeing his journey into becoming a more competent distiller, which we can all relate to.

I feel like he’s backtracking a bit with some of his T500 videos of late… His new videos of going back to dumping copious amounts of sugar into his all grain recipes, as a failsafe makes me cringe a bit, but again, he’s trying to attract novice viewers. My BIGGEST MISTAKE in this hobby was starting with a T500. The same amount of money could have gone into the keg boiler setup I use today.

Good ole’ George’s videos interested me when I was new to the hobby, but after countless hours of research on here, it’s clear he’s a bit of a charlatan. Case in point his way of automating his still, clearly not the best method.

Not a bad observation.

If there is a space, it's going to get filled. Just will.
Good to be far enough along to see who is who and what's what.

[BrewinBrian44]

I definitely enjoy watching YouTube vids. Reading my post, seems like I’m knocking Jesse a bit, which I kinda feel bad about. I definitely watch a lot of his content, it’s entertaining and he seems like a good dude. I can only imagine how much time goes into making his content, so he does deserve financial benefit from it. Hopefully more distillers come out of the woodwork and help the hobby along with some great videos.

I wish there were more people making videos though,

[NormandieStill]

I still watch the Still It videos although I often don't make it all the way through to the end. I do think that the problem with YouTube (or any video format) is the same problem that you get with university professors. Being a competent or even exceptional distiller does not necessarily make you a good teacher or presenter. The ideal situation would perhaps be a decent presenter coupled with a distiller who could provide the technical details, but now you're into high-budget production.

[Yummyrum]

To me , the perfect You-tube is less than 3 min long .

I don’t have more time in my life to watch someone crap on . Getting to the nitty gritty is what its all about . The rest is pointless crap .

Distilling you-tubers lost me very quickly …. In fact all you-tubes unless they are from Autistic Scientists that get straight to the point annoy me .

I know , I’m a sad fucker

[BrewinBrian44]

Yeah to make it on YouTube, you need to have that x-factor of personality to keep people interested. You’re spot on that some people that are great at things, don’t make great teachers.

As for video duration, I don’t mind a bit longer if it’s very informative and it takes that amount of time to get the message across. When I’m doing a spirit run, sittin right next to the still, YouTube is a great way to pass the time when I’ve got her dialed in.

[jonnys_spirit]

I’ve watched a few StillIt videos but don’t particularly enjoy sitting through a 30min+ video when I could read the info here from a number of first hand perspectives.

I appreciate the lab approach with the nitrile gloves in the OP - synthetics notwithstanding…

Cheers!
-j

[BourbonStreet]

I criticize Jesse for making goofy recipes, then he comes out with a video on making an all-grain mash from store-bought ingredients. It looks really good…

[Bushman]

To me , the perfect You-tube is less than 3 min long .

I don’t have more time in my life to watch someone crap on . Getting to the nitty gritty is what its all about . The rest is pointless crap .

Distilling you-tubers lost me very quickly …. In fact all you-tubes unless they are from Autistic Scientists that get straight to the point annoy me .

I know , I’m a sad fucker

I watched the whole thing but had the same feeling. I thought it was important to make sure the information was correct for our members.

[fzbwfk9r]

To me , the perfect You-tube is less than 3 min long .

I don’t have more time in my life to watch someone crap on . Getting to the nitty gritty is what its all about . The rest is pointless crap .

Distilling you-tubers lost me very quickly …. In fact all you-tubes unless they are from Autistic Scientists that get straight to the point annoy me .

I know , I’m a sad fucker

+100

I absolutely HATE a video where the first minute or two is just crappy music and pushing their channel

Who do they think they are??? Universal Studios?

if I don't start to see information in the first 20 seconds, I tend to close the window.... and assume it is more about clickbait $$$ than anything else.

I guess I'm a sad fukker also!