First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

[Icefever]

chill, you said: "Using very hot water (not enough to burn your tongue, but hot) helps in discerning the good from the bad."

B) gargles with the hot water first to heighten one's senses

I think I may try option b... after all what I've had to drink over chrimbo..

[Cherry Yidaki]

Eastdrinker- you said: "Aidanmac gives a good guide to spirit cuts here;

download/file.php?id=69

Woah! Thank you for that.

Glad I could amuse while querying about booze.

[Almanac]

At some stage we've all put Foot in Mouth and given the gallery much to chuckle about but what's life without a laugh

AM

[mikepiet]

Evening everyone,

A final report on the results of my first ever TPW.

Did the spirit run today and the result was simply wonderful. A grand total of 3.7 liters of very drinkable and quite pleasant 40% ABV, near neutral spirits.

I did something of a no-no here, in that I saved 100 ml of 'hearts' from the stripping run, in order to compare it with the finished product after the spirit run. For anyone new to this hobby (like me), I would advise that you try this - because the difference is profound.

Because of this forum, the good folks on it, and their words of wisdom and advice, my first run was a TPW and not a Turbo run, as had been my initial intention when I bought the Air Still. Because I read and read and read here before I started, I was able to avoid what is probably an all too common path of turbo's - regrets and discovery of the TPW method.

So, with all that having been said I once again want to thank all who answered my newbie questions with patience and good advice, particularly Chuck and Aidanmac. Salute gents.

The next wash has been started and I am again, anxiously awaiting the first bubbles.... :-)

All the best,

Mike P

[Almanac]

Congratulations Mike, looks like you produced a first class result the first of many

One Question, why is there a pistol-grip on the top of your fermenter and where does that cable go?

Give the Lentil wash a go someday, it's nice and simple too and you can do generations of wash with it

AM

[chill]

Congratulations Mike!

CY: I mix 1 tsp of very hot water with 1 tsp from a sample jar, swirl to mix, then slosh it around in my mouth and spit it out. Well, sometimes it tastes really good and I swallow it, but that is not advised as your sensitivities tend to dull as the session progresses.

Chuck

[mikepiet]

Hi Aidanmac, Chuck,

Thanks guys. I will give that a try on this go round Chuck.

It's a drill press behind the water bath Aidanmac - LOL.

The second wash is bubbling away like mad already - so it must have started within about 10 to 14 hours after I put it up. Woo-hoo :-)

The only thing I have done differently in this wash is add a pinch of Epsom salts. Do either of you think that might have changed the starting SG - like an idiot I forgot to check it, but as the recipie was exactly the same as last time except for the epsom salts I'm assuming the SG is the same too ?

All the best,

Mike P

PS - I'll give a look-see into that lentil recipie shortly.

[chill]

A pinch won't meaningfully affect the SG. As we are not making beer, all we really need to care about is the FG so we know when it is done. I don't measure either anymore. When it clears, it is done.

[Cherry Yidaki]

chill - you said:
"CY: I mix 1 tsp of very hot water with 1 tsp from a sample jar, swirl to mix, then slosh it around in my mouth and spit it out. Well, sometimes it tastes really good and I swallow it, but that is not advised as your sensitivities tend to dull as the session progresses."


Ahhh - thank you. Easydrinker was kind enough to drop aidenmac's inestimably invaluable cutting guide into my lap, so I was able to figure out where the hot water goes in your method. I am glad for the confirmation,"equus per os, as they say in Latin, though.

I did my cutting on the spirit run of the wash who shall not be named this morning and used a soda straw for a pipette to put a wee dollop of liquor in my spoon and also one of steaming 'wather.' I was amazed at how this all changed my perspective of the tipple. My instinct to slurp-slosh-squint-swoller-then grimace mightily, has gone by the wayside. I think I like the idea of using larger amounts for testing, as you advise, as there were times when I felt I wasn't able to fully characterize the "sip" due to the lack of enough content to really coat my cunning 'lingua.' (take no notice of how he 'glossus' over the more-medically accurate alternative term in favor of raunchy ribaldry. It only encourages him.)

Edit: On the advice of someone much more experienced and truly wiser, I am dumping everything associated with this wash due to the chance that it may be dangerously tainted. Which is a shame, but there you go, eh?

Again, my appreciation, Señor chill.