StillSmart

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:47 pm**

Hi guys,
This is my first post on here - Santa is just about to deliver me a SmartStill - The LHBS also gave me instructions on how to do it and set me with all the stuff requied.
SmartStill - 320 watt

Alcotec Triple Still yeast with carbon.

Dry Gin, Vodka, Whiskey Flavours.
I have not done any distallation yet, I have to wait 9 days for the stuff to ferment and clear ( I cocked that up; I thought it took 7 so might not get to have a go on christmas day now - BAH HUMBUG).
Anyway whilst serching for smartstill on google - it threw up this site, and my god am I glad it did !!!! AWESOME......
Reading up all day at work (shhhhhhh!!) and getting a little excited about having a go (feel like a kid again!)
So with my new still being 320 watts, & having bought it from a HomeBrew Shop - with the intention of distillng alcohol - do you recon it will be a modified one ? or are they ALL 320 Watts and its pot luck ?
I know I could ask him, hes a nice enough chap but....... anyone on here ?
Many Kind Regards
Ian

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:02 pm**

Welcome......

Have a look on the leaflet that came with your machine..... look for where it says specification (in English !),, should show power consumption.... 320W ??

As to being modded i dont know, i would also like to know if mine is....?
www.smartstill.com
Good luck.... keep us all posted with your progress!! and if you get it right every time, then you can show us !!

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:49 pm**

Thanks,
Yes it says 320 Watts
I am having a go now, distilling some cellery wine Ill post back with my findings
Regards
Ian

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:21 pm**

Hello Umpa
Welcome to our little bamd of brothers
As far as I know the 32w Model is the modified version (If I'm wrongI'm sure Jimmy will know (he's very clever lol)), the unmodified version is primarily a water distillation machine.
Do you have a spirit hydrometer to test the strength of your spirit once distilled? If I were you I would take the distilate off in batches (cuts) of 50-100 mls or so testing each one for abv and quality. Once the abv starts tailing off and things start to get a bit whiffy it's time to stop. Things are a bit different when you have a tried and tested recipe because you should know how much to take and the abv to expect.
I have made 2 batches so far and have used the instructions provided by my LHBS (I wonder if we bought from the same place as my bloke also provided his own instructions) and I've had very consistent and pleasing results.
Good luck today with your first go, keep posting your results.
I'm hoping people will start to post pictures here too (hint)
Regards, Quietman

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:22 pm**

By the way Santa comes early to your neck of the woods dont he. :-)
Regards, Q

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:35 pm**

Hi Q,

Err yes lol Im like a kid and could not wait.
I have a Spirit Hydrometer, and will test what I get.
My instructions tell me to discard the first two table spoons, and let it run untill I get 800Ml.
I was thinking of bottling that and then letting it continue to see what I get - what do you think ?
regards
Ian

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:52 pm**

update :-
Ok so it took about an hour to start working, and I got 700ml of 42%
I am going to leave it going and see how it tails off... Then put it through again watered down (read that on here somewhere)..
Ok the second ammount (from the same wash) came in at 20% and the plastic bottle started to steam up so I stopped it early I got 300Ml of stuff.
Thing is I took the top off, and its only used about 3 inches of wash, I guess the rest is water and other crap ?

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:19 pm**

Well done Umpa,
Your instructions will be for 4000mls at about 20% before distillation and as youve only got 42% out I assume you started with a lot less than 20%. IMO I would leave the second lot @20% and add it to your next run. As most spirits are 40% ish you could flavour your first lot or drink it as is. When you use your flavour essences dont be dissapointed if they don't taste amazing right away (although it will be OK and very nice) it is better left a couple of days for the flavours to work their magic.
I'm still wondering if you got yours from the same place as me although it's difficult to tell without giving too much about ourselves away lol.
Let us know how it tastes.
Regards, Quietman.

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:32 pm**

Hi all
I cant remember where i read it but i am almost sure i read that the water distillation unit is 500w and the modified one for essential oils lol is 320w..
lol the smell in my kitchen is wonderful.
Mick

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:44 pm**

Yep, so you got the right one Umpa (although I typed 32instead of 320)
Q

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:46 pm**

What are you up to in the kitchen Mick, running the still or mixing?
Q

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:06 pm**

Hey Q,
Im dieing to tell you where I got if from, have you heard of jimsbeerkit.co.uk ? we could pm from there I think. Ill give you a guess what my name is on there lol.

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:14 pm**

done
Q

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:20 pm**

I am at the moment just running my last 25 litres, i'm on the second 4liter lot at the moment going through but up and down like a pair of prostitutes knickers trying to watch the still in the kitchen and watch my bets on betfair in the front room.
Life is hard sometimes.

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:22 pm**

did you get it umpa