Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

So this is something I originally put together as a directory of where I sourced everything that has gone into my still builds, as well as all the extras that I use in distilling which I was going to put into my build thread.

I think this is something that would be very helpful in the Newbies Corner, and something that is missing. I think it will be beneficial to those new to distilling, or undertaking their first build, and will alleviate the same questions being asked and answered repetitively.

The aim is for this to be a directory for people to come to, to at least get an initial idea of where to obtain most of the things we use and then go from there. I figure this will be something that we might be able to add to intially to collaborate people's sources, and then place it in the Newbies Corner as the Yellow Pages of Distilling kind of deal :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Equipment

Kegs: Scrap yard, Friends, Pubs (by talking to the publican...this forum does not endorse or encourage theft of kegs from licensed premises).

Copper pipe: Scrap yard, Plumber’s Supplies Co-op (http://www.pscoop.com.au), [Avoid Reece/Tradelink].

1/4” copper tube: Polyaire (http://www.polyaire.com.au), Refrigeration supply places.

Copper Fittings: Plumber’s Supplies Co-op (http://www.pscoop.com.au), Bunnings, Masters.

Soft Solder – Aquasafe 100 (same as Bernzomatic plumbing solder, but a lot cheaper by the 500g roll for about $37): Bunnings, Welding supply shops.

Hard Solder/Silver Solder/Brazing rods - Commweld SBA115 (15% silver, 75% copper): Welding supply shops, Consolidated alloys 15% silver solder from Bunnings.

Solder torch (Propane/MAPP gas): Gasweld (http://www.gasweld.com.au), Welding supply shops, Bunnings, Masters.

Heating elements: Mac/Five Star Distilling (http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au), water heating system supply (avoid Keg King and Home Brew Shops).

Power controller parts: eBay, RS Components (http://australia.rs-online.com) , Element 14 (formerly Farnell) (http://au.element14.com), [Cable terminals/power meters/fans/cases: Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.com.au)].

Power cable/fittings: Electrical supply wholesalers, Bunnings, Masters.

Metal parts (ferrules, tri-clamps, gaskets, threaded sockets to weld in for elements, ball valves): Mac/Five Star Distilling (http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au), Midway Metals (http://www.midwaymetals.com.au), Geordi (http://www.geordi.com.au).

Boiler Insulation: Silver/black thermal reflective sheet @ Clark Rubber ($20/metre) (http://www.clarkrubber.com.au). [To hold insulation together, I glued Velcro-like strips (but the hard spiky ones for hanging pictures from Big W) where the ends meet].

Copper mesh (Packing): Amphora society (U.S.) (http://www.amphora-society.com).

Stainless scrubbers (Packing): 2 dollar shops, Big W, K-Mart.

Silicon Gaskets (flat): Big W (buy a sheet of 100% silicon baking sheet/tray and you can custom cut your own...better for a flat easy flange...use the lip ones with ferrules/tri-clamps: Mac/Five Star Distilling (http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au), Midway Metals (http://www.midwaymetals.com.au), Geordi (http://www.geordi.com.au).

Sight Glasses: Mac/Five Star Distilling (http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au), Glazier.

Thermometers: (Dial-type) – Keg King (http://www.kegking.com.au), Craftbrewer (http://www.craftbrewer.com.au), Beerbelly (http://www.beerbelly.com.au), Cooking supply shops. (Digital Stick-type) – Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.com.au).

Glass collection/storage containers: Lab Direct (http://www.labdirect.com.au), 2 dollar shops (hot dollar, the reject shop, hot bargain), Howard’s Storage World (http://www.hsw.com.au) , Keg King (http://www.kegking.com.au, left over bottles from friends.

Alcometers/Hydrometers: Home brew shops, online home brew shops

Fermenters: Home brew shops, HDPE containers from Bunnings, Masters, Gardening supply, Hardware stores.


Ingredients

Yeast: Online home brew shops, Bintani (http://www.bintani.com.au)

Grain: A decent ‘non-gimmicky’ home brew shop (hard to find), Online (http://www.esbrewing.com.au, http://www.grainandgrape.com.au) , Feed store (un-malted).

Molasses: Feed store, Food supply warehouses (Bundy food grade molasses)

Everything else (Sugar, Weet-Bix, Tomato paste, Bi-carb, Citric acid, Epsom salts): Supermarkets

Good idea Brendan, not many people share where they get stuff, I found it so hard finding stuff when I first started this. The distillers wharehouse needs more info like this. I reckon doing it by the state we live in would be good also. Great idea mate

Thanks Googe :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I thought about the state by state thing, but most of the entries i've made on there are either online, or major stores which are everywhere (Bunnings). I figured if we went that deep, it would have to be more of a local thing, as a place in Brisbane wouldn't help someone in Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns etc...

Good stuff mate. Makes things heaps easier for those of us starting out.

I was in Bunnings at browns plains tonight (one of their full size stores) and it looked like they were getting rid of their copper and brass fittings and replacing them with their new push together fittings (which have plastic in them). Has anyone else seen this?

If anyone wants to add to this, feel free :handgestures-thumbupleft:

A few additions of things that I left off...

For starters, the cooling system!

Water pump: Bunnings have a good range of pumps for both quality and price. I bought a 550W one for $79, and it pumps about 10 times more than what I need, but have a return line plumbed in so that the motor doesn't burn out.

Water hoses: I bought John Guest hoses that go with the John Guest fittings. They are all available at caravan supply places online, as the hoses are rated to 95 deg C and used in caravans for their hot water plumbing. The best part about them is being able to use the quick disconnect fittings whih makes setup and pull down a breeze! Try these: Clarence Water Filters, & Caravans Plus.

Also ageing vessels/products...

Oak Barrels: You can see my thread on my French Oak Barrel from Roll Out The Barrel.

Oak Dominos/Chips/Off-cuts: There are a few suppliers of these products around if you do a bit of an internet search. A group buy was recently organised on this site for oak dominos from Nadalie Australia, and everybody seemed to be very pleased with their products.

Keep adding to this if you want it to grow as a useful resource ;-)

Great job Brendan :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

For the glassware in Perth, I find Plasdene to be pretty handy

Bushy wrote:Great job Brendan :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

For the glassware in Perth, I find Plasdene to be pretty handy

Hey Bushy, was there a minimum buy at plasdene?

Don't think so Kimbo. I grabbed a dozen gallon demijohns and thirty or so two litre things that i have hardly used.
Heh. I can see this thread needin the occasional tidy up.

Yeah there is kimbo I think its $70 off the top of my head. Also not everything is sold individually so your best to ring and ask if they do or have a open pack/pallet or what ever.

There is a place called b&b supplies they stock all catering equipment and I get beer glasses there but they have huge pots and pretty much anything for catering. They do the same if its a open box you can buy single things. I think it was like $1.70 for a schooner glass :P

Edit: still got the email from plasdene

We have a minimum spend of $75.00 worth of stock.

Cheers Fellas :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Boiler Insulation: Silver/black thermal reflective sheet @ Clark Rubber ($20/metre) (http://www.clarkrubber.com.au). [To hold insulation together, I glued Velcro-like strips
(but the hard spiky ones for hanging pictures from Big W) where the ends meet].

This stuff is called Formshield @ Clark Rubber, and for the 10mm stuff I paid $28/m today.
It comes off the roll in a 1m width.

Service temperature according to this (below) is 100C which is good.
http://www.sekisuifoam.com.au/pdf/3.1%2 ... ochure.pdf

Nice work, this is good stuff!

For those of you in the South East Burbs of Melbourne who need grains, yeasts etc Core Brewing concepts now have a retail outlet on Greens rd Dandenong South (Just off Eastlink)

They stock a huge range of grains and yeasts and recently he ordered me in a bag of peated malt but added a few extras to keep in stock.

http://www.corebrewingconcepts.com.au

Why should people avoid Reece for copper pipe? That's where I get most of my copper...

EDIT: and Lowans Yeast (Coles/Woolies)

Reeces plumbing are more expensive than the other places...

Zak Griffin wrote:Reeces plumbing are more expensive than the other places...

I haven't tried many other places, but I knew they weren't cheap. Quoted me $200 per 6" elbow :scared-eek:

This is why we build Blockhead 6" bubblers haha

That's looking like the better way to go for the next one...