Hello

[Jayess]

Good afternoon all
Been a member for a couple of weeks now, but thought I would introduce myself.

I am a complete newbie to home brew/distillation and am about to bottle my first batch of cider.

Looking at purchasing a still. A mate bought a Turbo500, but with all the info here it looks like a modular still is the way to go. Can't wait to get the $ together.

Just printed out the Compleat Distiller for a bit of light reading.

Cheers

[bluc]

Welcome :handgestures-thumbupleft: what sort drink you want to make?

[Jayess]

Hi Bluc
Whiskey for me and Gin for the Mrs

[bluc]

Check out the 5 star store the plated column with packed section and carter head will do it all or you will need a pot and a reflux(2"boka is a good choice). Pot for whiskey and reflux for neutral for gin..have talk to andrew he will set you straight. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Tesla101]

Welcome mate. The Compleat Distiller is a great read, you'll learn heaps.

[Jayess]

Thanks Bluc
Haven't read up on the Carter Head. More reading for me :))

Can bubbler plates be added? Is it a 2" or 4" connection to the boiler?

[Jayess]

Thanks Tesla
Looking forward to it. Have seen it recommended on other threads, so I thought I would start with that one.

I have studied organic and analytical chemistry, so hoping the memories all come flooding back. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bluc]

Either 4 or 2" connection will work. If building a boiler I would go 4" ferrule but not nessacary you can just buy a reducer 4-2 will do the job and not restrict a 4" bubbler.
Yes you can add plates. Some say min 2 plates others say min 3. I like 4 for everything then just add a packed section when doing neutral. You can buy a pot still from andrew you can turn into a bubbler a piece at a time :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Jayess]

I am assuming that the first section of the unit is a packed section. Is there a RC on top of the carter head?

https://www.5stardistilling.com/product ... pot-still/

[The Stig]

No RC on the Carter head, it’s a basic pot still with a glass thumper at the bottom and a botanical basket in the middle . The upright is just an empty tube.
The sole purpose of a Carter head is to make gin or infused spirits

[Jayess]

Thanks Stig
I will do more reading then give you a call at some stage in the near future.
Don't want to be the person that keeps asking dumb questions :violence-smack:

[The Stig]

There are no dumb questions :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[woodduck]

Hi mate welcome :greetings-waveyellow:

Take your time and do some reading, don't rush in. Start in the newbies corner and then onto the different still type sections. Its better to get a basic understanding before diving in.

Good luck

[Jayess]

Thanks Woodduck
Would like to build up to a 4" modular plated still. Just have to decide where to start.
So much info on this forum :think:

[db1979]

Thanks Woodduck
Would like to build up to a 4" modular plated still. Just have to decide where to start.
So much info on this forum :think:

Welcome mate, great advice above. Heaps of reading :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Jayess]

Thanks db
I do have 2 whiskey distilleries behind my office. Might pick their brains as well. :dance:

[Professor Green]

Welcome to AD Jayess.

This place is full of great advice and I can only echo woodduck's words about taking your time. Do your research, ask questions and you'll start off with the right still for your needs.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[Jayess]

Thanks Prof
I have been reading heaps. Sort of makes the head spin.
With the likelihood of any still I make looking like a half chewed minty, I want to buy right once. Hence I will go the modular route, with the aim being a bubbler at the end. If I bought the 4" modular pot still, and added the 500mm packing section and RC, would this be enough to get a high ABV neutral?

[dans.brew]

If I bought the 4" modular pot still, and added the 500mm packing section and RC, would this be enough to get a high ABV neutral?

Should do the trick.
Welcome mate! :greetings-waveyellow:
This hobby can be a bit like a jigsaw puzzle for a start but once you get your head around all the different aspects and how they work it will start to become clearer how they all fit in together... particularly when you start to put into practice what your reading.

[Jayess]

Thanks Dan
I was hoping someone would agree :-D
This is probably the easiest and cheapest way to get started and add to later.

Another question. Keg vs milk can?
I have read that milk cans can be cleaned easier with the larger opening. Any other benefits?