Still or not to still. What is the equipment?

[Russkris]

Good evening from Tasmania.

Well as the title kind of suggests... Well it does suggest anything really but I had to pit something other than the standard n00b title.

My wife's uncle stills his own and has given me some finished product, bourbon, Irish whiskey, some crap you add milk to and rum and I must say I am impressed, so impressed I am thinking about buying a still but the home brew shops in tas suck, bloody over priced but then again so is the shipping charges to the tiny island.

I would like some advise on an easy to use and setup 'kit', maybe some links to HBS that have ready to go stills. I am not a heavy drinker, so something smallish. Bear in mind I haven't actually seen a still in the flesh.

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer.

Russ

[bt1]

Welcome bloke,

A visit to the newbies corner might help here there a post one newb to another that discusses which still would suit.

Realistically you could start with a pot still, given the nice drink choices you mentioned. Both EG and Mac (members) make pot stills for sale that well suit a starter and low cost so you don't over commit if you changed your mind.

You learn a lot on a pot and develop some tight handy skills for later on. You may choose to move on to a more specialist still later...imho treat it as a progression equipment equal to skills and passion....you get more for less!

Enjoy the learning curve...get stuck ask

bt1

[kelbygreen]

what do you like to drink is the first thing to mind.

LHBS mark up is BS really. Depending on what you like will depend on the still you make. If you like bourbons and rum then make a pot still. So easy to make and coz you dont drink much you will be set, I can get 8lts of 40% out of mine in 3 weeks runnin a 60lt fermenter and 30lt fermenter. You do 3 strip runs (hour and a half for me) then one spirit (about 2.5hrs)

[emptyglass]

LBHS = local home brew shop.

I sold a bells and whistles plated column to a nOOb guy in tassie not all that long ago. Aus post makes lots of things possible.

Its a great hobby, but don't discount your own saftey. Like they say, its not hard, but its not tiddlywinks. 2 basics, foreshots are poison and good proof alcohol burns (foreshots are the first bit that comes out of a still)

Follow the advice above and you'll begin the journey. All the best and enjoy.

[Kimbo]

welcome dude,
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