What I Did Today

[Almanac]

Airstill puking on a spirit run ...never heard of that happening before.

Not a nice thing to have to experience and I'm glad nobody got hurt

AM

[amaark]

Yep AM it certainly did.

I always put conditioner in the strip run but nothing, other than the rings, in the spirit run, hey presto I had a kitchen full of 30% smelt lovely I can assure you.

I'll put it down to the learning curve of this hobby.

It happened half way through the heads after removal of the fores. (don't if that helps anyone's thought process)

As you say no one injured, kitchen floor cleaned up very nicely though. I can recommend 100 deg c 30% abv neutral as a very effective tile cleaner.

[KerryW]

unpacked the bags from a recent trip. and sampled some FourSquare rum that i found init

[KerryW]

Proof that I was on the road to rum grrr cant load the picture

[KerryW]

Well I bought an Airstill as I am running into problems with renting one at the LHBS, so I am into the third striping run of the rum wash I started before the cruise to the Caribbean Islands,

[Phantom]

Airstill puking on a spirit run ...never heard of that happening before.

Not a nice thing to have to experience and I'm glad nobody got hurt

AM

As long as you're not too close when the hot liquid hits you, you benefit from that magical property of high strength spirit losing temperature very quickly i.e. just like a sunburn type scald. That's a bit sore to start with but usually wears off by the next day.

And high strength spirit cleans the kitchen like you wouldn't believe

[Almanac]

Phantom wrote: ...And high strength spirit cleans the kitchen like you wouldn't believe

True but I don't think she'd thank me for the aroma it would leave behind...she's not as enthusiastic as we are

AM

[Almanac]

on 14 May I posted...
This time out I decided to use Capt C's yeast nutrient recipe instead of the Tomato Paste to see how it goes. The TPW has been OK but nothing to write home about and I've had to use Sparkolloid to get them clear for stripping - I like a good clear wash, it makes for a cleaner boiler

It's now 25 May and both the above fermenters have finished and were degassed last night so, hopefully I'll be able to strip them today - if I get a certain amount of work done on our deck.

We moved house last December and the 'new' house has a deck that needs a lot of work. Herself wants it done pronto in case our usual three day summer arrives and we can't sit out on it with a glass of something because it's not cleaned up and prepared properly

It's 0840hrs and I suppose I'd betted get on with it if I want to fire up the still later to strip those washes - no rest for the wicked

AM

[Phantom]

It's now 25 May and both the above fermenters have finished and were degassed last night so, hopefully I'll be able to strip them today - if I get a certain amount of work done on our deck.

We moved house last December and the 'new' house has a deck that needs a lot of work. Herself wants it done pronto in case our usual three day summer arrives and we can't sit out on it with a glass of something because it's not cleaned up and prepared properly

It's 0840hrs and I suppose I'd betted get on with it if I want to fire up the still later to strip those washes - no rest for the wicked

AM

Scrub it down with bleach and water. Let it dry, then spray it with a mix of 1/3rd old engine oil, 1/3rd creosote type preservative and 1/3rd parafin. Soaks in nicely, preserves the wood nicely, water just brushes off it, it can be sprayed on for ease of application (getting underneath etc) and re-coating. I'd do 2 coats if possible. Plus even better if the bleach/water goes on with a pressure washer

[Frank]

@AidanMac
why are you wicked? Anyway,for consideration,...if its a (hardwood?) timber or similar deck, try Oxalic Acid as a cleaner and external-grade, non-toxic oil coated with an applicator as the 'paint'. If its an concrete-type deck, scrub it twice with diluted bleach and consider a 'waterproofing membrane/ sand included' coated with a roller as the 'paint' (I've done both, often).

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy sitting out with the glass of something.

[Almanac]

Thanks guys,

It's a timber deck Frank and by the looks of it nobody has done anything with it for a very long time.

Phantom, I use that mix for the fences around the property and it doubles as an all season weedkiller along the base of the fence panels and other inaccessible areas or anywhere you don't want things growing.

Not sure I'd like to use it on the deck though. I'd be worried that the smell of the oil and parafin right up against the house would be very noticeable right outside the lounge doors and she'd have my condensers for target practice if I couldn't get rid of it straight away.

I've just finished cleaning the deck and hopefully it'll be dry enough for preservative tomorrow. In the meantime I'll paint a piece of deck timber with the mix and see how it is, smell wise, after it's had a chance to dry in. If it worked it would certainly be very 'cost effective'

Thanks for the tips.

AM

[Phantom]

Thanks guys,

It's a timber deck Frank and by the looks of it nobody has done anything with it for a very long time.

Phantom, I use that mix for the fences around the property and it doubles as an all season weedkiller along the base of the fence panels and other inaccessible areas or anywhere you don't want things growing.

Not sure I'd like to use it on the deck though. I'd be worried that the smell of the oil and parafin right up against the house would be very noticeable right outside the lounge doors and she'd have my condensers for target practice if I couldn't get rid of it straight away.

I've just finished cleaning the deck and hopefully it'll be dry enough for preservative tomorrow. In the meantime I'll paint a piece of deck timber with the mix and see how it is, smell wise, after it's had a chance to dry in. If it worked it would certainly be very 'cost effective'

Thanks for the tips.

AM

Yeah, fair point Aidan. Personally I don't mind the smell, it smells "gardeny" and fresh IMO, but can take a few weeks for the volatiles to fade.......

[Almanac]

Just had a evil thought I know it's tempting fate but I'm going to light up the barbie and smoke some chicken for the dinner today, I love smoked chicken and smokey whisky.

AM

[Phantom]

Today, I'm racking my fresh grape pyment. I went to that HBS at Aldershot for a couple of 5 gallon glass fermenters and other bits. It needs racking and more oak so that's happening.

Plus I got some chempro oxi and star san for cleaning. Also some SS finings to clear the 2 buckets of wash I have on the go - me getting lazy and impatient. My stock of neutral all but gone so I need a bit more for the summers (hopefully) gin. So that's in and its starting to drop clear....

[Phantom]

Just had a evil thought I know it's tempting fate but I'm going to light up the barbie and smoke some chicken for the dinner today, I love smoked chicken and smokey whisky.

AM

Beer can chicken done on a smoker is excellent, though you're leaving it a bit late aren't you ? I like my chicken to have at least 6 hours in my smoker. Though if you have your main in the evening there's still time I'd have thought......