StillSmart

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-26T19:56:51+00:00

Are you running that timer with a contractor? Most of them aren't rated to run large loads, and tend to fail on the on position (fused on) so wont cut off the power after the time is expired.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:56 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-26T19:08:50+00:00

Sorry for missing this Frank

You got it first time, to-be-sure-to-be-sure and begorrah!

It's kinda like the reason I use a mechanical timer on the socket my power controller is plugged into and set for just 1 hour. I never leave my still when it's running except to go to the bog or get a coffee etc., but that's when it's easy to get side tracked and lose track of time. Once I'm in my workshop a small alarm tells me when it's time to press the reset button. Simples!

Murphy's Law states anything that can go wrong, probably will, if you haven't anticipated it and put things in place to catch it.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:08 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-17T08:53:06+00:00

Aidan....good for you mate, its a functional w/shop for distilling and it looks like you're well on the way to 'settling in' re new abode.....

I've gotta ask though.....
re [i]but after some consideration I decided against that just in case of a puke spewing wash into the keg and forcing me to redistill the lot. [/i]
is this an issue for you anymore (given your attendant focus on quality ferments, etc?)....and, if it is, why?

(BTW I am gonna assume the answer is to-be-sure, to-be-sure )

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:53 am

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-16T00:07:23+00:00

Very nice. I am re-configuring my own still room too. Have a new controller built but have not got around to putting in the water supply yet.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:07 am

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-15T18:33:23+00:00

The postion of the parrot is original but very functional.

I love your set up, after workimg in my shed I would get Agoraphobia in your man cave. I am really envious, I only have room to run one fermenter but that has to stop if I want to build something. Not enough space to do both at the same time.

After putting a lot of effort into building my parrot, I never use it. Stripping runs, I use the thermometer. Spirit runs I check each of the cuts with a trial jar.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:33 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-06-15T17:28:30+00:00

My latest 'development' was to rebuild my parrot so that I can run my still for both stripping and spirit runs with the same arrangement and layout of equipment. As the parrot is only used on my stripping runs I needed to be able to place it under the output from my condenser.

On spirit runs I collect in 1 litre Kilner jars and need a clearance of just 9" to place the jar under the condenser output. To fit the parrot under the output I needed 17" and this meant either the condenser had to be raised or the parrot lowered.

As the object of the exercise was to have a standard configuration for all pot still runs and not have to move parts around I decided that the parrot had to be lowered.

Here's my solution...

The parrot has been provided with a slot in the worktop allowing it to be lowered to fit under the Liebig output.

This meant re-configuring my parrot from this..
to this...

It now fits snugly into the worktop and Liebig stand...

...and underneath to parrot output extends down far enough to fill DJs...

I had originally intended to have the strip feed directly to my Low Wines keg but after some consideration I decided against that just in case of a puke spewing wash into the keg and forcing me to redistill the lot.

Anyhow, after all that I think I deserve a glass or five of something absolutely fabulous that I made earlier

AM

P.S. You'd easily know I have plenty of spare time on my hands

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:28 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-21T17:54:14+00:00

We live out in the countryside where mains water is not available so we have our own well as we did in our last house which is 7 miles away as the crow flies.

Because we use water from our own well and not municipal supply we have filters on the well and a huge carbon filter at the house distribution pipe. We had the water tested just before we moved and which the new filters it is completely potable and low in calcium, iron and manganese which are common problems in Ireland. The lab said our water is better quality than mains supply in the county.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun Apr 21, 2013 5:54 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-21T16:33:34+00:00

How far did you move? Could the slow ferments result from a difference in the water supply?

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:33 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-21T14:24:58+00:00

After a long dry period where I couldn't make anything, due to the house move, I started out to rebuild my stocks with new product and decided that grain was going to play a big part in my spirits by the end of this year.

I'm fermenting some grain but mostly sugar at the moment but for some reason my washes are taking their sweet time to finish. Always the same, when I'm in a hurry everything else slows right down.

Going out today to buy a microwave for the workshop - it'll be handy for reheating my coffee when it gets cold

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:24 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-21T09:59:39+00:00

Hey Aidan, I too like your 'finally got it all going again' pics. Well done; and have fun.

Here's the thing, IMHO...please let us all know if your end product is suitably enhanced in accordance with your new 'playground'....

(PS: Bugger the microwave, where's the rack of oak barrels?! )

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:59 am

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-20T17:28:22+00:00

No Good.

You need to keep up with the technology.

Where's the microwave for nuking the oak?

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:28 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-20T14:40:53+00:00

Hey AM that looks tickety boo !

When we move the thing that me and SHMBO have agreed on is a large utility room !

Statistics: Posted by Admiral Toad — Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:40 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-18T13:44:32+00:00

nice set up you got there aiden,i wish i had summat like yours
contemplating of gettin a 8'x10' shed but i need to convince the missis
about it,ive already had the 1001 questions about why im enquiring about
copper pipes.and a tea urn (which i got misled into buying it)

nice pixs bud

Statistics: Posted by Magnu420 — Thu Apr 18, 2013 1:44 pm

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-18T00:03:21+00:00

I should post a picture of my shop. I don't even have water!

Statistics: Posted by chill — Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:03 am

Re: New Workshop/Distillery Shaping up

2013-04-17T23:39:13+00:00

@ dullahanbrewing first: yes I did and you won't believe how easy it turned out to be.

@chill: don't believe a word, but thanks for the sentiment, I really is appreciated

Talk to you all when I get some rest as I'm wrecked right now

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:39 pm