StillSmart

Welcome Klunk.
May all your distilling experiences be happy ones!
They probably won't be, but hopefully you will learn from them.

Robert.

Thanks EasyDrinker. Finished the first attempt at a sputnik tonight...think there might have to be a V2 soon and just waiting for my first wash. It's been 9 days now and i'm just about reading 995 on the hydrometer. Thing is I'm off to France end of the week and could do with this getting a shift on now if I'm honest. Should I chance it or spend another night indoors tomorrow and try and get it all done then?

There is nothing wrong with running a stripping run early, if you don't mind losing a little alcohol, and maybe cleaning up a little more than usual.

Robert.

Thanks Robert.

I finally cleared it today even though it seemed a bit active. Done one stripping run this evening with 4 Ltrs and collected 1.5 Ltrs at about 37% before turning off the still for the night. Do I chuck the remainder of the stuff in the pot back in the wash so that it can e used again or bin it?

Still behaved immaculately btw, quite impressed for what it is.

Grant.

Bin it, for sure!

Robert.

Hi all,
From the North east of England.
Been homebrewing for 30 plus years, All Grain beers n lagers, wine and the odd bit of cider.
Tried my old tiny pot still a few years ago, with reasonable results.
But due to illness ova 2 years ago I'm classed as having 'Learning difficulties!' From my battered brain to keyboard there seems bit of lost in translation sometimes..so I warn you now if your confused with what I'm trying to say just pipe and call me all sought lol
At them my still is 300 mile away..but I've got my Grainfather (MkII)
Don't know to buy the T500 or the alembic still to use..
Or
Trying somebody to make me a larger pot still, with an optional reflux column aswell..I can't DIY builds as I'm parcialy disabled..still got a good hand..n my duff hand can nearly grip things...
I laugh at my situation tbh never let anything stop me trying!! Try it! If not..try if I can adapt kit to eventually get the job done..
Researching for the last 4 years, them after my memory was lost back square one....now can read n write as u may gather lol
Seems I've found the right place for help, research and great set of lads n lasses.
Off to have a Sunday single malt, befor I woffle a novel..
Thx for viewing
Bri

old bri wrote:Hi all,
From the North east of England.
Been homebrewing for 30 plus years, All Grain beers n lagers, wine and the odd bit of cider.
Tried my old tiny pot still a few years ago, with reasonable results.
{snip etc}
Off to have a Sunday single malt, befor I woffle a novel..
Thx for viewing
Bri

Welcome to the forums Bri. Plenty of knowledge hereabouts chap.

From your post, I'm thinking that if you could then a T500 plus the copper pot lid and the matching condenser would do the trick and give you enough choice for whatever you want to try.

Forums aren't that busy but those who are here regularly, are a knowledgable bunch (not me).

Enjoy yer afternoon schlurp

Phantom wrote:

old bri wrote:Hi all,
From the North east of England.
Been homebrewing for 30 plus years, All Grain beers n lagers, wine and the odd bit of cider.
Tried my old tiny pot still a few years ago, with reasonable results.
{snip etc}
Off to have a Sunday single malt, befor I woffle a novel..
Thx for viewing
Bri

Welcome to the forums Bri. Plenty of knowledge hereabouts chap.

From your post, I'm thinking that if you could then a T500 plus the copper pot lid and the matching condenser would do the trick and give you enough choice for whatever you want to try.

Forums aren't that busy but those who are here regularly, are a knowledgable bunch (not me).

Enjoy yer afternoon schlurp

Thank you so much.
Yeahh decisions to be made.
At the mo I ok with the T500 that can do a stipping and spirit run using the water regulators to distil...but confused with the alembic still that needs the boil to regulate it...I've got the GF that has only 2000w boil...and the 500w mash button.
Could anybody sheds some light on how to gourern the boil power?
It's said I might need a power controller (with a dialed knob) to turn down the Boil once distil is produced and up later on..
Any help be really appreciated on this question.
Bri

Welcome old bri.
Yes, I agree with your question and assumption that you need a power controller.
You do.
Just guessing that you may have suffered something like a stroke, good to see you bouncing back.
I recognise and can adjust for the odd spelling/whole word mistake, I am sure others will too.
Hang out here and have some fun.
Put "Power controller" into the search box top right and enjoy 33 pages of others experiences.

Robert.

Easydrinker wrote:Welcome old bri.
Yes, I agree with your question and assumption that you need a power controller.
You do.
Just guessing that you may have suffered something like a stroke, good to see you bouncing back.
I recognise and can adjust for the odd spelling/whole word mistake, I am sure others will too.
Hang out here and have some fun.
Put "Power controller" into the search box top right and enjoy 33 pages of others experiences.

Robert.

Thanks Robert,
Great for your advise.
Yeah two strokes, one major and found 11 hrs afterward.
But not one to winge or moan.
The lord has saved me.
Nuff of the sob story.
I'll look on research today on the power. Controller and hoping to start my new thread of my experiences so far.
Must say the whole home brewing hobby has intense my theropy and my learning is getting great.
For all I don't drink..lol I trial the odd bottle (doctors orders hahaha!)
Distilling is always a thought in most people's minds when the get ok with the whole brewing lark!!
Reckon I'm thrive to try something new or something I've never tried is movivated me..
But alas with the limitations of my condition, I have to take it slow, ask questions that may seem stupid questions...for me there not stupid if I don't know the answers lol
I've found a picture paints a thousand words...as reading the info can get confusing..my usual is can you send a link of the item so I can see what it is and then how to operate it...from there research, research and then some more
Now looking where I've hiding my parrot and other bits of kit for when I last used the tidy still.
So far I find that this forum there's a relax happy members that there 'not up there own arses' and go on as they're better that others...I might be struggle with my disibilty but I'm not stupid...only seems so with my humour and struggle with the written words lol.
I'll get there...like a snail not a hare...lot to take it..and safety is paramount with me.
If it takes weeks, months I'll get there..and all the time enjoying the journey..
Off to start reading....
Once again really apreciate you all taking time to respond and making me welcome
ATB
Bri

We are a friendly bunch here mate, mostly trying to help out.

Robert.

Easydrinker wrote:We are a friendly bunch here mate, mostly trying to help out.

Robert.

sure are.
having a great time on the forum
bri

Hello from Canada's Best Coast.

I'm sitting here watching spirit drip from the output of my new Turbo 500. This is the spirit run from my sixth batch. As you know, I have hours to kill, so I thought it an appropriate opportunity to say hello.

I also want to thank you all for the invaluable resource that this forum embodies. I've spent hours, days if you add it all up, reading up on this wonderful new hobby of mine. Your shared knowledge and experience has provided a much needed crutch for this beginner.

I did lots of research before buying my T500. There are lots of fancy stills out there, but this one seemed the best suited to my needs and skill level. Vodka is my drink of choice, and I like to self-medicate in large doses. I'm already making product as good as what I was buying at the local liquor stores. And, the cost savings are astounding to me.

Vodka retails here at roughly $40 (CAD) per litre (23 GBP, 40 NZD, 30 USD). Most of that is tax. Every batch that comes out of my still saves me over $250 CAD. I've already saved enough to offset the cost of the still and all the other bits (buckets, hydrometer, etc.) one needs to start out. I feel like I'm drinking for free from now on!!!

There are lots of other forums out there, but this one seems the friendliest, and so this is where I want to participate. I promise to contribute my learnings, in another post, as partial payback for all the valuable advice I've gleaned here.

Time to change the collection jar. Another litre of pure happiness is made!

Cheers,
Skookum

Welcome Skookum!
I am pleased that you have found this site helpful. and that you seem to be on top of your game.
It appears that things are going well for you.
Do shout out if things go wrong, or you have something to share, or you just want to blether, we do quite a bit of that here.
We may not be the tidiest site, but do take a certain pride in being friendly.
Unfriendliness is dealt with. >:D

Robert.

Ditto Roberts response Skookum.

Some of us don't get as much time as others to read and post etc, but we try to keep up from the sidelines.........

T500 is a decent bit of kit for the price and spirits here are a similar sort of price to what you seem to pay (and yes, it's mostly tax here as well).