Birdman85. Fresh face... Same old questions

[Birdman85]

You have much research to do, in the library there is a good read called "the complete distiller" its a good place to start

Thanks RC, I'll definitely give it a read and hopefully be able to make up my mind to the next step.

[Carol]

Hi Birdman
I have a FSD 2" Boka and pot that fit on the same type of boiler as the T500 with an adaptor.
I have been making neutral up until now - using the pot to strip the wash and then the boka to make the neutral.
Am about to embark on Nutrigrain whisky.

As I am a comparative newbie I am not sure if I can help but you are welcome to ask me anyway.

Regards
Carol

[Birdman85]

Hi Birdman
I have a FSD 2" Boka and pot that fit on the same type of boiler as the T500 with an adaptor.
I have been making neutral up until now - using the pot to strip the wash and then the boka to make the neutral.
Am about to embark on Nutrigrain whisky.

As I am a comparative newbie I am not sure if I can help but you are welcome to ask me anyway.

Regards
Carol

Thanks carol, I saw your Boris post. Peeked my interest.

I'm just curious as I saw someone who uses a similar set up to you, strip runs of a weetbix with a pot still (to keep hints of grain in a brown spirit), only to run it a spirit run on a reflux (stripping the flavours).

I just want to single run a grain wash and enjoy my product.

[Carol]

On the basis of my limited experience. I am doing some TPW now - as part of my try everything for a bit and see what I like. Previously I did some Teddys FFV with wheat bran from WW. That made a really nice vodka with a slightly wheaty taste ( apparently like Grey Goose but I have never tried it). The TPW has a very slight sort of floral taste . It is not like a Turbo in the air still which resembles rocket fuel - been there - done that!

For the nutrigrain whisky I am planning the stripping runs from my three fermenters and then a spirit run in Natasha ( the pot still). I don't think you can get a good result with one run in a small still but the wise ones who have been doing this for years will be able to advise.

Cheers
Carol

[Professor Green]

I just want to single run a grain wash and enjoy my product.

If you want to run flavoured spirits in a single run you'll need a bubbler which will require a bigger boiler.

The easiest way for you to kick it up a notch would be to grab a simple pot still for your current boiler (5 Star sell a 2" one that is ideal) and the follow a strip/spirit run strategy. Strip fast using the pot still with the boiler on full then do a slow spirit run using the pot still and a power controller to dial the boiler down appropriately.

[Birdman85]

I just want to single run a grain wash and enjoy my product.

If you want to run flavoured spirits in a single run you'll need a bubbler which will require a bigger boiler.

The easiest way for you to kick it up a notch would be to grab a simple pot still for your current boiler (5 Star sell a 2" one that is ideal) and the follow a strip/spirit run strategy. Strip fast using the pot still with the boiler on full then do a slow spirit run using the pot still and a power controller to dial the boiler down appropriately.

Thanks Prof Green. I appreciate your time. Definitely the path I'm most likely to consider.

[Birdman85]

So I've done a tonne of research and googling. Put my extreme habit of researching every iota of detail before I spend a cent on anything....and have decided...that I'm going to upgrade to a 4" plated column and a keg boiler.

Now although I could stumble through a build of my own, it would take me years to complete and all I'd be is a hindrance to my welding friends as I have no welding gear or any decent experience.

I also went down the route of building a modular system from the ground up....but decided against that too.

I'm going to start with a keg build which I'll try myself, to which I'll plonk on the column. Then when I want a packed section for reflux or any more plates I'll attempt them on my own.

So wish me luck on my slowish journey into being an alcoholic bubble producer.

Can't wait to drink whiskey instead of flavoured vodka.

[Professor Green]

Good decision Birdman, I think you'll be very pleased with the results from the bubbler.

[Birdman85]

Looks like I'll be purchasing a bubbler sooner rather than later.

Noticed I've had a splitting headache and it only started the other day after I ran a wash through... It cleared up and I ran another wash yesterday only to get another near migraine.

Cleaned my still out and upturned it to find my column had a leak from the shoddy plastic end... Guessing I've been inhaling some heavy vapours.

[Birdman85]

That or a lack of sleep due to a newborn

[Tesla101]

Hi Birdman, any chance you didn't have adequate ventilation as well?

Also, is your T500 still under warranty. If so you should be able to get it replaced if its leaking from the top. I did although the HBS tried to tell me it was "normal".

[Birdman85]

Hi Birdman, any chance you didn't have adequate ventilation as well?

Also, is your T500 still under warranty. If so you should be able to get it replaced if its leaking from the top. I did although the HBS tried to tell me it was "normal".

It's a few years old now so I doubt it's under warranty. It didn't look like it had a leak during the run, just when I had it upside down cleaning it.

It was well ventilated. I did it under my 10ft patio with a slight breeze.

[Tesla101]

Oh right. I've got a bit of a headache before if I taste heads or tails straight off the still, just by dipping my finger in the stream and tasting it.
Is your experience the same?

[Birdman85]

Oh right. I've got a bit of a headache before if I taste heads or tails straight off the still, just by dipping my finger in the stream and tasting it.
Is your experience the same?

I don't tend to dip my finger in, don't like the idea of tasting 93% straight liquor. I do inhale half of my jars so I'd dare say that may be the issue.

Gettin a gutful of alcohol fumes

Anyhow... Now I need to decide whether I want to learn to solder and stutter through a build.... Or just buy.

[db1979]

Could be you've developed a sensitivity to heads?

[bluc]

Never had a headache from doing cuts or stillin :think:

[Birdman85]

So i caught up with a mate of mine who installs aircons and he took me to his shipping containers full of scrap. He gave me 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1" and I took about an 8th of what he was offering me but i know where to go if i need more and i need to focus on getting the 4" 3" and 2" before i get too far ahead of myself.

So now i guess i need to sit down and make a plan.

20200317_161350(1).png

[Birdman85]

Ducked into my local Reece to see if they had offcuts of 2" 3" and 4" which they do. Absolutely cheering, until they tell me they want $80, $160 and $280 a metre for it :scared-eek:

Looks like my build won't progress any further until I source some more budget friendly material.

If anyone around the Newcastle and Hunter region has a source or some stocks let me know.

[j0sh2008]

Is there any metal scrap yards around? You can usually pick up a few things if you look around :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Birdman85]

Is there any metal scrap yards around? You can usually pick up a few things if you look around :handgestures-thumbupleft:

There's a few but one is a smelter which they don't let ya walk around, one is a bunch of guys who take it to the smelter and cash it in and wouldn't appreciate me taking their shit and the other I can think of might have something if I take enough time and dig deep enough but it's quite a drive to get there.