StillSmart

Mushrooms. Easy. Not ere they are not. I have tried 3 maybe 4 times. No go.

Inside or outside?

All depends on the type of mushroom. Inside or out? Bit of both. I grow the spawn on birdseed inside, transfer to cardboard (cold sanitized with washing up liquid) in plastic buckets with lid. When colonized place contents in 35l RUB with some holes drilled in and damp vermiculite in bottom. Spray every day. Leave inside or out (left mine out), when conditions are right, they'll grow. Where abouts are you? I'm North London (Waltham Abbey) so rarely gets too cold for a prolonged period. main thing is to be careful sterilizing grains to grow initial spawn on and keep things clean as possible to reduce other bacterial contamination. I got really into it, took my own spore prints from them, got two jars of mycelium in nutrient solution in the fridge, along with 10 spore syringes... It's like the edible version of brewing! Getting ready to do my next lot in a couple of weeks (pink and grey oysters, shiitake when I have a bit more experience). look up Basic PF tek for some easy how to's. Finally, and this is for anyone who reads this and is interested, oysters are great beginners mushrooms. They grow on cardboard, old books, anything cellulose based, and more importantly I don't think there is any strain of poisonous mushroom that they can be mistaken for!

Thanks. I have sent a PM.

Mash and Easydrinker, do you have my PM's? Seem to have two messages sitting in my outbox but not in sent.

All good here.

Well, back to the topic, it's official, you're all a bad influence. Picked up an Airstill off an auction site for £95 including postage. Seemed reasonable. looks like the kale wash will be starting next week... Gin first, followed by white rum I think. Theyare the two most drunk in my establishment. Also, saw this - would it be useful for a sputnik?
http://www.tesco.com/direct/kitchen-cra ... d=691-4482

Can't see why not.

Some threaded ss rod from Ebay would do the trick for Legs ... Or some copper.

Kale makes an excellent gin base.

Ok, quick update, the still has arrived but won't be doing any brewing for a month or so (need to get a holiday out the way first). Now time for what may be a really stupid question - When I come to the spirit run, I know I just need a couple of accurate measuring beakers to collect, and a series of jars for heads, hearts and tails. However, how do you measure the ABV? If I'm splitting the run into 100ml or 250ml samples, there is not enough volume of liquid to use the hydrometer. I know I could use a glass parrot, but what is the methodology everyone seems to use? I know its a basic one, but just want to make sure I have all the kit and stuff before I start. Finally, I'd like to say thanks for all the advice given. It's good to find a nice friendly forum.

Using a trial jar, 80ml is plenty to read your hydro in....

Something like this will do the job perfectly

http://ebay.us/iopxbg

or any of these - cheaper too. I buy all my glassware from these folk..

http://www.scientificglass.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d91_Measuring_Cylinders.html

Cheers

Hampk

Quick update, and a few questions! Back from holiday, Kale wash bubbling away happily as of yesterday (so much easier than beer!). Just gathering the final bits and pieces for the next stage. When I come to strip and store low wines, I know I need a glass vessel. I was going to use mason jars with the two part lids to collect and store. As it will take a day or two to run all the wash, should I immediately dilute the mix, or is it safe to store at full collected ABV until all runs are finished? I'm aware of volatile vapours and low flash-point. I'm more concerned with the rubber seal. Would a baking sheet of Teflon work instead of the centre piece of the lid? I'd also like to try the suspension method of making Limoncello - but high ABV needs to be used. Same questions apply! As always, thanks for any info!

I use 1.5 ltr and 2 ltr Kilner jars....mine all stay out in the out house....you can find food grade seals for the jars on the-bay.

I store at what ever % it comes of the still...it's all up to you. Keep a jar of high % for the Limoncello safe out in the shed/garage.

Thanks Icefever, but at the risk of sounding stupid, do you mean the flip top wire frame kilners or the screw top lids with removable centres? Also, any chance of a link, I've searched but only found rubber seals which I don't think is suitable.

I use the wire flip type.....Mash found these food grade silicone rings..here.