Views on this?

[Minuteman]

Just ordered this. Any comments?

[Myles]

Why? Can you cancel the order?

[Minuteman]

SHIT Is it That bad?

[Robbo12]

Can you cancel it? Have a look on eBay just found this item number 323152568840.

[RumJohn]

I dont see anything to get excited about. The column is too short for good reflux. But that is perhaps the reason for the two clarifiers. Whatever they are.

How do you clean it?

You will probably be able to get something out of it.

[H12rpo]

I believe the ‘clarifiers’ are thumpers

[Mash]

Or are the thumpers the guys selling it.....

[Easydrinker]

Frightening.

Robert.

[Phantom]

There's nothing wrong with it per se. It can (as I understand it) be used as both a reflux (albeit limited due to the column height and using copper mesh for the packing) or as a double thumper pot (no packing in the column).

Didn't see what it may (or not) said about heating.

I suspect that the "naysayers" were alluding to it's relatively small size and value for money.

It's a bit like the ones that are "2 gallon" pots and come with a small condenser work in a separate pot that tri-clamps to the lid of the pot and the condenser work pot has the hose connections for filling/draining the condenser section - but this type don't have any electric heating facilities, so need to go on the hob or separate burner.

The same applies i.e. small size, limited etc......

Are these ones, in truth, any worse than the easy/air/smart stills many of us started with ?

[Icefever]

You hit the nail right on P....

[Phantom]

You hit the nail right on P....

See that's the thing, dunno about everyone else, but I did wines, meads, etc first and just happened to come across my smart still in the HBS.

Followed the guidance etc, not caring much that it was part of a "system". Just amazed that I could do something like this.

I appreciate that with some space and a small amount of experience/ability (plus a few specific bits of kit and tools), we can do much better for less.

Some of our members are truly capable and innovative (you know who you are people).

Just that when we start, if we see something like this as an "off the shelf" example, we just decide whether the price is right to take a punt........

I know that's how I started..........

Of course, we then start to learn properly and understand the limitations quite quickly. Yet I'm pretty sure there's peeps out there who're wholly satisfied with their efforts and limited kit who don't feel the need to upgrade or improve.

I read here often, and in awe of you guys who start experimenting with whole grain or whatever, much respect. It's just that for my preferred "genuine" article, I couldn't get the genuine base materials (the right strains of grape etc, as my preference is for Armagnac).

Hence, sussing out how to make quality neutral and work my way through the different ranges of flavour essence pleases me no end. None of them are "exact" but damn! most of them aren't far off...........

[Easydrinker]

I am a total believer in thinking something and doing it.
Sometimes to good effect.
Flavouring a good neutral or doing an AG brew, whatever floats your boat.
There are many ways to be content.
Pick your own.
I use essences and I also try to make a good whisky every now and then, the hard way.
It keeps me off the streets.
I try to support anyone here, from neutral makers to more specialised brews.
Just sayin'

Robert