Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hi,

Just joined. I have been all grain brewing for a few years with a Grainfather and want to get into distilling. My drinks of choice, other than my homebrew is scotch and gin however I'm sure when I start producing I'll get requests for vodka from my kids.
I prefer quality over quantity.
I enjoy the science behind brewing and distilling (I'm an engineer I can't help it). I've read "The Joy of home distilling" to get an understanding of the basics and would be keen to get recommendations for further reading.
I'd prefer to start with the raw ingredients to produce the drink I want rather than add an essence.
I don't have a shortage of space.
I don't have the metalwork skills to make a still so I need to buy one and I'd prefer electric over gas.
Budget: I've had a look at some of the cheaper stills and read a few posts. I would prefer to jump in at the deep end and get the right gear from day 1 rather than cheap and upgrade when I discover I can't produce the quality I want so l haven't fixed a budget. If I can't afford to do it to a high standard then I'll wait until I can.

I'm keen to get recommendations on equipment and budget.

Regards
Scott

Hi Scott,
Welcome sounds like your well on your way .
We have a huge library that you’ve probably already found.
Enjoy mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Welcome Scott,I recommend a modular still so as you develop so can you add to it ,production speed is a big point too and would look at 4inch set up with a boiler volume of 50-100lt,this combination has kept many happy,so read shit loads and be honest about your expectations.Also check the for sale section often as some bargains pop up from time ta time.cheers hillzabilly

Welcome to AD Scott.

I second going modular not just because you can reconfigure the still for different spirits but, if you find starting out with a full 4" reflux column, packed section and boiler takes you out of your budgetary comfort zone, you can actually start off with a basic pot still then add the necessary parts bit by bit as you can afford them to build up to the full kit; just like Meccano! This would get you making really good whiskey pretty much straight away and then making gin and vodka a little further down the track.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

Hi Scott and welcome to the forum

Now you say you are an engineer but no good with the tools :scared-eek: Surely you know about the heating properties of metals, the strength of soldered joints and the need to get everything perfect.

Saying that why not get your hands dirty and use your knowledge to design and build what is fit for purpose for your new hobby.

I will warn you working in copper is addictive :O) :O) :O) and once you start you love making stuff.

Just look at some of the member builds to get an idea of how to start and if an engineer says it's too hard well....... I will leave it there.

Cheers Bryan

Thanks for the welcome and to Bryan for throwing down the challenge to build a still. I would love to build one however I also love being married and starting a new one new hobby(Distilling) is enough. Starting a second new hobby (Making stills) would be pushing the limit. Maybe in retirement.

How do I tell the difference between a good modular system and a bad one? What are the things I should look for? Over the internet they all look like they could have come out of the same Chinese factory.

Regards
Scott

Scott wrote:
How do I tell the difference between a good modular system and a bad one?

Look no further than 5 star gear.
Buy 5 star now and your great grandkids will be using it to make their hooch :laughing-rolling:

The Stig wrote:

Scott wrote:
How do I tell the difference between a good modular system and a bad one?

Look no further than 5 star gear.
Buy 5 star now and your great grandkids will be using it to make their hooch :laughing-rolling:

:text-+1: Many will look the same but they are certainly from different suppliers that have different ideas of what qualitites "stainless" steel should have.

5 Star are a time tested and proven product. You can buy cheaper elsewhere but you could also be buying something that is not to the correct dimensions advertised and "stainless" that will corrode quickly :handgestures-thumbdown:

Hey mate, welcome :greetings-waveyellow: