StillSmart

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-29T13:03:36+00:00

Oh, and Robert, I had missed your post; it is indeed a great way to wile away a few hours. I fear the fishing may suffer for it. So much to do, so little time...
Cheers, inky

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Mon Jan 29, 2018 1:03 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-29T12:31:29+00:00

Sage advice all, well received. Water is something we need to cherish in these parts, so I will certainly take that on board. I believe I will need to up production to ensure cleanliness

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:31 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-29T06:04:04+00:00

Inky wrote:
That's good to hear Brewhunter I did wonder if they might develop with a bit of time. Mash- that's a good use for the paint stripper no bug could survive that surely...

When did you last see a bottle of gin go off!

Wouldn't go back to washing up. I try as far as possible to be water free. I use alcohol for washing all my brew junk too and then recycle it. Been doing it for years.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:04 am

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T23:19:23+00:00

Inky, welcome to something to do when not fishing.
Much playtime with a still.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:19 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T21:42:38+00:00

That's good to hear Brewhunter I did wonder if they might develop with a bit of time. Mash- that's a good use for the paint stripper no bug could survive that surely...

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:42 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T19:05:49+00:00

Inky wrote:
... washing bloody bottles...

You now have a solution to battle washing. A still.
Once you have emptied one, wash it out and then put a quick squirt of 40% in it and cork. Next time you are bottling, drain and use. No more washing up required.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jan 28, 2018 7:05 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T13:59:15+00:00

The flavour from essences will improve a bit after a week or so in the bottle, also I always use 1 litre of neutral per essence rather than 700mls.

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:59 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T12:58:38+00:00

Yep may have got a bit carried away there after the sampling session. I do like the idea of the alembic though and will work my way towards one after a self imposed apprenticeship. And now the good lady is asking for beer as well so back to washing bloody bottles. Much prefer the distilling in that regard, but mustn'tcomplain, I have basically got a licence to drink, which, if you knew my wife, is somewhat a miracle. As the song says, I'm a happy slave. Cheers all

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:58 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T06:53:40+00:00

Well done. I didn't rush to another still. You might find perfecting to one you have will be more much more rewarding. Good Neutral + flavours does work very well. You need to get boss of the recipes.

Millling flour and making cakes are 2 separate jobs.

A lot of commercial product is made this way, because its more controllable.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:53 am

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T06:11:46+00:00

...i bumped up the temperature just after writing the above and got about six drops more so called it quits. I blended into the hearts and think I came up with a decent drop. I have given my lady a drink and got the seal of approval and a kiss so it looks like I'm on a winner. I must say the whiskey and rum flavours from the kit aren't top shelf, but are certainly drinkable; the whiskey more so. I have done a bottle of rum with a sliver of the bourbon stave, one with about 5 times as much stave and one with a single clove, just for the hell of it. We shall see. I think after a few more washes through the refractive column I'd like to have a crack at making something with some flavour so have begun my campaign for approval to buy the alembic kit. Great hobby, this. Cheers, inky

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:11 am

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T02:03:49+00:00

Damn I wrote a reply but it didn't submit apparently.. Too late to pour her a drink- I did as you have suggested and have almost finished the run with cuts of 100,200,300,700,300,200 and 200mL so far. Mid 40's to 50 deg C. Definitely a difference in the nose.
By my calculation there should be 2.4L of alcohol so once I reach about that I thought I will bump up the temp to get anything remaining for the next boil? Thanks again for the advice it's really appreciated.

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Sun Jan 28, 2018 2:03 am

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-28T00:35:42+00:00

Inky, pour your lady a drink.
Dilute the rest to 30% and run again.
Make some cuts.
Pour your lady another drink.
Your product will be that much better.
She will make you special sandwiches for the fishing trip.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:35 am

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-27T22:09:26+00:00

personally I only remove the foreshots on the spirit run, others remove on the stripping run but either way it only needs doing once.

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Sat Jan 27, 2018 10:09 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-27T22:03:26+00:00

Thanks Brewhunter, great to have that info. I did wonder about what temperatures to aim for. I have so many questions but seem to become completely inarticulate when typing. I think I have overloaded on information and need to keep it simple.
One thing I'd like to confirm is whether to discard the first 100mL on a re run, when the methanol etc was removed the first time? For that matter, on a stripping run is the foreshore discarded, or just take the lot and get rid of it on the spirit run?
I'm thinking I might run the lot again and make the cuts. Otherwise I won't get to play until the wash finishes and I'm off fishing next weekend.
Cheers, inky

Statistics: Posted by Inky — Sat Jan 27, 2018 10:03 pm

Re: First run, comments/advice welcome.

2018-01-27T21:10:30+00:00

Sounds like you are on the right track, Anavrins advice will serve you well.

I usually aim for around 65c for stripping and 57c or below for spirit runs on the T500.

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:10 pm