StillSmart

Hiya. Long time beer, wine and cider maker wanting to to take the next step.

Current budget would allow for a smartstill (or copper alembic from Portugal type) but not a T500, so I'm in a dilemma as to whether to get one of the former now and save for a T500, or delay purchasing anything until T500 is affordable.

Construction will not really be an option at any stage due to lack of ability and living in an apartment.

All thoughts appreciated.

Hi and welcome!
You say that you live in an apartment, for me that makes recommending starting with a SmartStill a no-brainer.
There are various other reasons,one being that you do not specify the spirit that you wish to make.
An airstill will allow you to try many spirits, from neutrals to whiskies and rums, from the day it is delivered.
Yes, in small quantities, but try walking before running.
Many stick with an airstill,even if moving on to something bigger, I would not part with mine, it has 4 litres of gin to rectify tomorrow!
ATB

Robert.

Thanks. That confirms that swmbo is correct as usual, so I just need to figure if some of the cheaper amazon/ebay versions are genuine or un-modded water distillers?

Post any links that you find here,and someone will come along with their tuppence worth!

Robert.

Curmudgeon wrote:Thanks. That confirms that swmbo is correct as usual, so I just need to figure if some of the cheaper amazon/ebay versions are genuine or un-modded water distillers?

Welcome to the forum sir... your in the right place...like a lot of us I started off with the Airstill. I still have it, and should use it a little more...but again like a lot of guys I moved on up to a T5.

If you haven't all ready read the Airstill section...do so, it's worth it weight in gold.

To reiterate Robert...ask about any still you think about buying on here first....it could save you money.

Thanks. I'm extra confused as http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/alembic-po ... condenser/ is half way pricewise between airstill and t500 and would let me do rum etc too?

That's just the copper top and pc....not all of what you see....the boiler is the T5 which you would need...sorry.

Aaargh my bad.

That is naughty advertising imo.

A airstill will not disappoint.. But throw the instructions away & follow the guide on here.

PS start saving non-magnetic 1p's

Mash wrote:{snip}

A airstill will not disappoint.. But throw the instructions away & follow the guide on here.

PS start saving non-magnetic 1p's

I still use my smart still as per the original instructions and it works fine. My only change in method is that I run a whole batch of wash, then let it down with RO water to below 40% ABV, then re-distil - which gives me as clean a tasting neutral as I can be bothered to make with it.

Yes, I still run all my neutral though my "Z" filter

As for non-magnetic 1 pence pieces, I just sawed slices from a piece of spare 15mm pipe. The slices are 2 or 3 mm rings that work well as "boil enhancers", though I did throw in a small handful of rashig rings as well..........

I haven't tried Aidans guide but wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, given the number of longer serving members here who have used it and rated it as very good.........

3 months here and such a lot learned.

2nd hand airstill was £85 including postage, spirit hydrometer £5 ish and everything else I had already or would have used for beer/wine/cider anyway.

It's hard to put a monetary figure on money saved but I'm a pretty heavy drinker so in month 1 and 2 I was probably only equaling cheapo supermarket booze type product and now I know I'm making way better, but call it £5 a day saving not counting quality and that equals £450 saving (assuming still could be re-sold).

Moving forward, depending on drink of choice, £5 - £10 a day saved in pure personal financials. Reward of good produce harder to define, especially when credited by mates.

Curmudgeon wrote:Aaargh my bad.

from the link you posted that price of £290 includes the boiler.

Curmudgeon wrote:3 months here and such a lot learned.

2nd hand airstill was £85 including postage, spirit hydrometer £5 ish and everything else I had already or would have used for beer/wine/cider anyway.

It's hard to put a monetary figure on money saved but I'm a pretty heavy drinker so in month 1 and 2 I was probably only equaling cheapo supermarket booze type product and now I know I'm making way better, but call it £5 a day saving not counting quality and that equals £450 saving (assuming still could be re-sold).

Moving forward, depending on drink of choice, £5 - £10 a day saved in pure personal financials. Reward of good produce harder to define, especially when credited by mates.

I work out my "how much saved" price from the actual makings. Sure you could use the cost of the still and hardware too, but I just follow business practice using the operating cost of the consumables (anything else would qualify as capital budget i.e. you have to basically spend that before you can start making savings).

Of course, it depends on how long you manage to keep the still and hardware working but once they're dead/broken etc you have the numbers for how much additional cost they work out at.

Some of us will use more consumables than others, that's dependant on choice of kit and method.

If you did do the double distill method with your airstill, it would show it as being a bit more expensive, but IMO the improvement in quality of neutral is worth it.

When you're paying at least £12 a bottle for cheapo vodka and you work out that it costs you less than £3 to make one, that sort of saving is worth the effort IMO

But even without quoting the current excise duty (not forgetting the VAT of course), you can see immediately how much you're likely to be saving.

guest5234 wrote: from the link you posted that price of £290 includes the boiler.

Your correct guest....the list price for the boiler is £178....the pc is £112..hense the £290 price tag.

I took it to be the usual copper dome and Pc which is £254 if you buy both...