New to Distilling

[Hasra23]

Hi guys,

I am new here and everyone recommended to post in here. I bought an Air still a few weeks ago (which I'm now realising was probably a mistake) and have done a couple of turbo wash's which have tasted pretty average. I have just put on a TPW from the recipe section and it is bubbling away nicely.

I am just wondering what everyone recommends doing for a still, should I stick it out with the Air still for a while and see how it goes or should I just bite the bullet and get something else? If so what?

[Sam.]

Welcome here mate.

Firstly I would say do plenty of research before you spend your hard earned.

First question is what type of drinks do you want to make? This will determine was still(s) you will need :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[woodduck]

G'day mate and welcome to the forum.

The air still is a pot still really so your better off with one of the cereal based washes like the cornflakes whiskey. The air still won't get enough of the flavor out of the tpw I don't think so you'll probably end up with tomato whisky :laughing-rolling: .

The air still will be ok if you don't want a lot of out put but it is pretty limited in what it can do.

All the best

[Professor Green]

Welcome Hasra23.

There's great thread here on getting the most our of your Air still.

I agree with woodduck that you're best off having a go at the cereal based washes. Use the Air Still to learn about distilling and cutting whilst researching what type if still you'd like to move up to.

As Sam said, have a think about what type of spirits you really want to make as that will determine the type of still you require. Other things to consider are budget, how much room you have to work in and how much time you have available to spend distilling.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[Hasra23]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I would mostly like to make whisky/bourbon and maybe a small amount of vodka.

I will give one of the cereals wash a go as well then and check out the air still thread. Thanks

[southern45]

Welcome. Cereal washes are good for an Air Still. Check out the double distilling method (flow diagram somewhere on this site) when using an Air Still the proper way, rather than the way the instructions tell you to run it!

[Professor Green]

Check out the double distilling method (flow diagram somewhere on this site) when using an Air Still the proper way, rather than the way the instructions tell you to run it!

That'd be in the thread I linked in my earlier post!

[southern45]

That'd be in the thread I linked in my earlier post!

Actually that wasn't it.

Although very similar I think this one is streamlined somewhat and easier to follow (for me at least when I was starting) It's also included in the instruction PDF file I've attached, which is what I always referred back to when I was first getting into using my Air Still.

Also in attachment: How to get the best out of an Air Still ...

[Hasra23]

That'd be in the thread I linked in my earlier post!

Actually that wasn't it.

Although very similar I think this one is streamlined somewhat and easier to follow (for me at least when I was starting) It's also included in the instruction PDF file I've attached, which is what I always referred back to when I was first getting into using my Air Still.

Also in attachment: How to get the best out of an Air Still ...

Thanks for the Info, I have just finished the spirit runs for a weetbix All Bran wash and ended up with about 3L at just over 70% ABV of hearts, I found it fairly easy to figure out when the tails were coming through as it smelt like wet dog mixed with burnt cardboard but I couldn't really tell the difference between heads and hearts so just went with around 200-300mil of heads.

It already tastes 10x better than the turbo crap, Im going to try soaking it on some American Oak chips and see how it goes. I got the chips with a pack thing from the HBS and they are quite small any suggestion on how many grams to use per L and should I dilute the hearts to 65% or 40% for soaking?

[woodduck]

Be careful of those chips, they aren't really the best thing to use. They have a lot of end grain which releases a lot of tannins or something scientific like that, pretty much means colors quick and tastes a bit off/bitter. So I would keep a close eye on it every few days just to make sure it's going ok.

Oak dominoes are a better option. I think 5 star sell them ready to go. I would work on 10-15g per liter and keep an eye on it. There is no set rule for time as each bit of oak is different and temperature can also effect time. It is a trial and error thing unfortunately.

Best of luck :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Hasra23]

Yea I'd say I put too much of the chips in, used about 50g in just under 3L @65% and overnight it is already the same colour as a bottle of JD :laughing-rolling:

I have taken out about half of the wood chips and will let it sit for a few days and see how it goes.

I also just ordered some dominoes from 5 star for the next batch, thanks for the tip.

[Andrew]

I also just ordered some dominoes from 5 star for the next batch, thanks for the tip.

Ive just picked and packed these and Ill post them later today.
You should have them Monday :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Thanks

[southern45]

Yea I'd say I put too much of the chips in, used about 50g in just under 3L @65% and overnight it is already the same colour as a bottle of JD :laughing-rolling:

I have taken out about half of the wood chips and will let it sit for a few days and see how it goes.

I also just ordered some dominoes from 5 star for the next batch, thanks for the tip.

Take all the HBS chips out and whack a domino or two in when they arrive, then leave it hidden away in the cupboard for as long as you can resist... ;-)