Is it just me

[quietman]

Hello,

I have recently purchased an easystill and I am currently brewing 25 litres of sugar wash. Is it just me or do most people on distilling forums have a sort of snobbery towards those of us who dont make their own still and just want a small easy to use still without miles of copper tubing. If it does what I want it to do, then that's good enough for me, having said that I do like to see pictures of the stills they make and use (especially the old prohibition ones)

Regards, Ian

[Jimmy]

It's not just you - that's why I started this site in the first place! Don't worry, we'll keep it free of snobbery on here - beginners and part-timers are more than welcome!

[quietman]

Thanks Jimmy, I was really pleased when I found this site, so more power to you. I'm getting lots of help from my local hbs but I'm sure I'll need lots of advice. I will be sure to update you with my progres.

Regards, Ian

[Jimmy]

No problem! I had the same when I started out, and I'm sure lots of others will have as well. I don't want to sound all happy-clappy but the more we all share with each other on here, the better it will be for others in the future so please let us all know what goes right, what goes wrong, and whatever else you discover! It's such a big subject that it's impossible to be a complete expert on it, but between us all we can raise the bar collectively.

[quietman]

Here's a perfect example on a Yahoo forum

someone asked the following question
My question is about the EZ still, and how it simply uses one

temperature to create spirits. I have heard good things about this

cool beginners tool, but I am confused about running the still at one

temperature. .. Does this seem a reasonable process? How would you

know which parts of the run to discard, and which to keep, let's say

for malt-scotch. Hm... my appologies if I am off-topic or out of my

league! I am an avid beer and wine maker, (especially dry sparkling

meads), and am shopping trying to get my way to success...
Also, if there is some insight into why I can post here but not at

new distillers I would really appreciate it, srsly!
and got the following reply
Hi James,

The 'EZ still' is, in my opinion, a useless toy. If you are serious about distilling, I suggest that you read more,

[Jimmy]

Indeed. If it is a useless toy, why have I (and others) used ours to make great quantities of decent quality spirits? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and mine is that these devices are great for people who are starting out because you can do exactly what I have done with exactly the same equipment and you'll get similar results, unlike a home made device. Reading is a good way of learning, but doing something is even better. Yes there are better, more efficient stills out there, but this kind does what *I* want, and that's all that I'm bothered about. You make your own choice!

[quietman]

the stuff I've tried made from one has been amazing, so they can keep their opinions to themselves
regards, Ian

[Phantom]

No Ian, it's not just you that gets that feeling, but it's fair to say that while there might be a fair amount of "inverse snobbery" at other forums, there's also a lot of handy information to be gleaned!

[quietman]

Too right Phantom,
use 'em and run back here quick is my plan
Regards, Ian