Another Newbie

[bigadz]

G'day guys and Happy New Year!

I have just inherited my first still from my grandad who's starting to get on in age and slowly winding down so he can enjoy his "retirement". This was his "backup still", an electric Keg boiler with a reflux still (looks like a keggomax CM only by researching pics). Being a wog and knowing someone for everything, (one of my extended relo's for all I know), he's had someone fabricate something for him that he usually uses for making his grappa.

I'm keen to learn from him, but also to learn from the community here on how to turn out some top quality stuff. I've done so much reading on this site just wrapping my head around terms, processes, techniques and general suggestions on how to improve and I gotta say it's so awesome to see a community that is passionate about the hobby and getting behind one another.

I'm already planning on updating everything, turning the keg into a dual element setup, and investing in something like a FSD 4" p modular, BUT I'm always happy to take suggestions from the crew as this is literally my first go at this stuff in the drivers seat and not as a spectator.

Cheers!

[coffe addict]

Welcome mate, the two easiest things that make a massive difference are cuts and the wash... Without these being right it'll never be a too drop.

[hillzabilly]

G-day mate and welcome to the fold,sounds like you have some good plans,I am partial to a good grappa with good coffee,keep an eye on the for sale section there has been a few modular stills going lately.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Doubleuj]

Welcome here Adz, apart from grappa, what do you like to drink? This will help you decide on what type of still will be best :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Professor Green]

Welcome to AD mate.

You can’t go wrong with a 4” modular rig from FSD if you are thinking of going down that road. It may not be the cheapest gear out there but you get what you pay for and you’ll have a rig that will last you a lifetime. The best thing about modular stills is that you can add extra bits as you need to and can configure them differently depending on the particular spririt you want to make at the time. A 4” still on a 50 litre keg boiler is an excellent combo BTW.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[bigadz]

Many thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Asking what I like to drink is a hard question! I like neutrals but am really partial to a good gin.

When we make grappa it's essentially making wine then distilling that into the product, so the smell from the bottle is somewhat grapey with only the slightest sweet hit on the tongue.

I'm keen to try making more if this bur using different fruits as the base. The ability to make a high abv neutral but also something that will net me some flavour if I want a change is key for me.

Cheers!