StillSmart

Found a guy near me who uses a T500 and he kindly allowed me to watch how to do it....
WoW, what a machine, is this the best machine around? Might buy one of these and bollox to making a copper still...lol

He buys flavourings local.... Anyone recommend a few good ones to try and the best place to buy.

BB

The Prestige Irish Cream Essence is great, I use 200gr sugar, 300ml of single cream, one bottle of the essence, then top up to 1 litre with 40% neutral, it tastes better after a day or two but it never lasts that long.

You'll also find many essences will flavour upto double what the little bottle says.

a fav of mine and the missis and other people
who tried my spirits is caramel vodka from SS
add this to 2L of 30% and some sugar
yum yum

Easy there tiger the T500 is nice i have one but getting them to work like you've seen takes a little getting used to and a PRV. T500 can make great neutrals but if you want to make a rum or whiskey you may want a pot still attachment too. i know i want one. I'm not saying don't get one as i like my T500 but just be sure thats what you want. i had to i couldn't build a house of cards so it was only choice
Good luck
Jag

I don't think that I would describe the T500 as the "best machine around" -- though T500 owners might disagree. I'd advise patience and research rather than jumping on the first running still that you have seen. The T500 might be right for you, or it might not. I say this as someone who very nearly purchased several stills that on closer inspection turned out to be not quite what I wanted. I think I know what is right for me now, but I need to do some renovations to make room.

Chuck

Hi Chill,
What's your choice of still?

For me, for what I want to make, for my interests in still technology (all of which may be different than yours), a hybrid still from StillDragon. There is no "best" there is just a "best for you".

Chuck

T 500s work really well for NEUTRAL SPIRIT especially with 2 runs and some decent flavours

Like many on here and being a bloke I just had to try something else hence bubble plates, keg boilers, hybrids etc etc

Nowhere near some of the total still builders but that's where I am at the mo

Seriously if you just want to make some really cheap very decent grog a well run T will do you fine

+ 1 with what the guys say J....I did buy a T, and they do the job. Like AT said once you get bitten by the still bug, you'll want bigger/better. Like you said in another thread you did the same with brewing...it's a tough decision mate.

It's just a thought J...if you get a wash ready would this guy with the T bring it over to you and let you run your wash, while he keeps an eye on things...may help you make up your mind??? and you'll finish up with a few jars of grog.

Icefever wrote:It's just a thought J...if you get a wash ready would this guy with the T bring it over to you and let you run your wash, while he keeps an eye on things...may help you make up your mind??? and you'll finish up with a few jars of grog.

Funny you should say that Ice, he offered to do that for me and I declined. silly me.
Might take him up on the offer..
He buys a sachet with nutrients and yeast in and then bungs it into the sugary water... Am I better just doing a lentil wash with Allinson's yeast or the one I've seen on here with raisins?? or buy his tried and tested??

Think he said his wash is around 18%

BB

Definitely take up his offer. He'll appreciate sharing what he knows and if you are bringing the lentil wash and the forum that's some learning for him too.

There are some very smart T500 operators here who can help you understand how to make a good job of running it.

One thing I like about the T500 is the boiler size. Once you get above 25 litre wash barrels you are hauling round some pretty heavy weight.

+1 with Steampunk on the lentil wash J.. It's a straight forward wash. Get one done and have the guy bring his 500 over....you'll love it.

Thx lads, as always on here plenty of help and advice...

That's what it's all about J.....we try to stay hassle free... hopefully