Howdy folks!

[TOPGUN]

Good morning legends!

This forum looks to be an amazing resource full of helpful people, happy to be here.

I'm based in SA and my main vices are collecting watches and whiskey. As you may guess, my bank account is allergic to cash.
Professionally I work in financial services, specializing in life insurance products. I've got a young daughter (almost 2) with another due in January.

What brings me here? I absolutely love a good limoncello over ice on a hot day and would like to make my own, as well as branching out to try some other combinations. (A distillery near me does an amazing Mandarin-cello seasonally). I'd also like to make some high quality vanilla extract for my wife.

I guess I am looking to start off with making some quality neutral spirit, to that end I am now researching a good beginner setup with a reflux still. I've been recommended the DigiBoil/Alcoengine combination, and might wander down to my local brewshop sometime soon to have a look around.

I hope you don't mind my ignorant questions in the future, I promise I'll try to read all the available resources first!

Prost!
Shane

[WoodyD40]

Hello Shane

Welcome to the Forum and a new hobby.
As you said, there is lots of valuable information contained within the many many threads.

Do yourself a favor, and phone Stig at 5 Star, before you go to your local brew store. He is a friendly chap. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I also went down to the local brew store bought the 65 litre version reflux stil .... and about 2 months later, lashed out and spend better money with Stig. I haven't looked back since. I love playing with my 5 star lego :D

[RuddyCrazy]

G'Day Shane :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Welcome to the rabbit hole mate :laughing-rolling: now how you travel down is upto to you and by far the best way down is with 5 star gear as everything is there aswell as that chataholic Stig :laughing-rolling: who will steer you in the right direction.

Cheers Bryan

[The Stig]

G'Day Shane :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Welcome to the rabbit hole mate :laughing-rolling: now how you travel down is upto to you and by far the best way down is with 5 star gear as everything is there aswell as that chataholic Stig :laughing-rolling: who will steer you in the right direction.

Cheers Bryan

You’re just jealous because you called when I had 1 foot out the door and needed to get off the phone .
Would you like me to call you for a chat about cabbage and all things off grid just for the hell if it ? :laughing-rolling: :teasing-neener:

[WoodyD40]

G'Day Shane :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Welcome to the rabbit hole mate :laughing-rolling: now how you travel down is upto to you and by far the best way down is with 5 star gear as everything is there aswell as that chataholic Stig :laughing-rolling: who will steer you in the right direction.
Cheers Bryan

You’re just jealous because you called when I had 1 foot out the door and needed to get off the phone .
Would you like me to call you for a chat about cabbage and all things off grid just for the hell if it ? :laughing-rolling: :teasing-neener:

Keep your foot out of the way of the door - it will get hurt that way. :teasing-neener:

[TOPGUN]

Hello Shane

Welcome to the Forum and a new hobby.
As you said, there is lots of valuable information contained within the many many threads.

Do yourself a favor, and phone Stig at 5 Star, before you go to your local brew store. He is a friendly chap. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I also went down to the local brew store bought the 65 litre version reflux stil .... and about 2 months later, lashed out and spend better money with Stig. I haven't looked back since. I love playing with my 5 star lego :D

Thanks! I'm definitely willing to take suggestions on a setup that will suit my goals and abilities!

I take it Stig is a retailer of some kind? is the 5stardistilling website I found on the money? If so, I will flick through an email to the listed email contact.

Thanks for the welcome all!

[WoodyD40]

Yes - that's the one.
Call Andrew (aka the stig) 0423 164 303.
He loves a good old chat.

[RuddyCrazy]

G'Day Shane, eh mate if you want to come up the hill for chat your more than welcome mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

As I do have a heap of hearts by hearts 90% here you can have some some to make that vanilla extract and have a chat with you about tinctures and everything else related to distilling.

Now mate you do have to get upto 10 posts before one can PM so get posting mate :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Bryan

[Professor Green]

Welcome Shane.

I see a 5 Star Boka in your future...

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

PS you cannot go wrong with 5 Star.

[TOPGUN]

G'Day Shane, eh mate if you want to come up the hill for chat your more than welcome mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

As I do have a heap of hearts by hearts 90% here you can have some some to make that vanilla extract and have a chat with you about tinctures and everything else related to distilling.

Now mate you do have to get upto 10 posts before one can PM so get posting mate :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Bryan

Thanks mate! I see you're in Kanmantoo, I am actually in Murray Bridge so good to know there are some enthusiasts in the area.

Generous offer as well, let me find my feet around here and I might just take you up on that!

[Carol]

Hi Shane
See my thread on the FSD 2" boka and pot.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12638&start=260

Modular so cost effective. Produces high quality neutral albiet slowly.

Cheers
Carol

[TOPGUN]

Hi Shane
See my thread on the FSD 2" boka and pot.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12638&start=260

Modular so cost effective. Produces high quality neutral albiet slowly.

Cheers
Carol

Hi Carol, thanks for that link, I've read through it all and found it a great help. I've reached out to Andrew and will no doubt have some new shiny objects on the way soon. :scared-eek:

I noticed you're in Adelaide, I'm in Murray Bridge but down in the city pretty regularly. Got a favourite spot to recommend for me to go pick up some of the necessities? Starting from scratch, so will need a fermenter or 2 and no doubt some other supplies!

Is there a noobie list somewhere of all the bits and bobs I'll need for my first wash? Looking like the tomato paste wash with be perfect for what I am looking to do, will I need a heater or anything for fermentation?

Sorry for all the questions!

Shane

[Carol]

Hi Shane
I am in Bellevue Heights.
Happy to chat if you want to drop in some time. We have moved from the house with the pool so my distilling is on temporary hiatus. I did some extra runs before we moved so I still have neutral for my various projects.

I had 3 fementers going. Three stripping runs gave enough low wines for a spirit run. So it was more efficent as I was not waiting for the next wash to ferment to do the next stripping run. When I did a stripping run I cleaned the fermenter and filled it up again. That way I was ready to go whenever I had enough spare tiime to do a stripping run. The wash was fine while it waited for me.
I changed to Coopers fermenters with a lift off lid as I was having trouble manging thhe screw top lids (wonky hands).

I wrapped my fermenters in blankets if the weather was cool.

Supermarket is fine for tomato paste (home brand), sugar (home brand) and bakers yeast (Lowans - not the Tandaco sachets - too exxy).

You will probably need a hydrometer (measures specific gravity so you can tell when the wash is finished) and an alcometer (measures ABV). I used vegemite jars for my cuts but some people use stubbies. Glass containers sor low wines - I used flagons or juice bottles. Glass containers for infusions. I used wide mouth jars from Kmart.

Cheers
Carol

[The Stig]

Chats have been had , bullets have been bitten :laughing-rolling: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[TOPGUN]

Chats have been had , bullets have been bitten :laughing-rolling: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

:happy-partydance: x_x :obscene-drinkingdrunk:

[TOPGUN]

Hi Shane
I am in Bellevue Heights.
Happy to chat if you want to drop in some time. We have moved from the house with the pool so my distilling is on temporary hiatus. I did some extra runs before we moved so I still have neutral for my various projects.

I had 3 fementers going. Three stripping runs gave enough low wines for a spirit run. So it was more efficent as I was not waiting for the next wash to ferment to do the next stripping run. When I did a stripping run I cleaned the fermenter and filled it up again. That way I was ready to go whenever I had enough spare tiime to do a stripping run. The wash was fine while it waited for me.
I changed to Coopers fermenters with a lift off lid as I was having trouble manging thhe screw top lids (wonky hands).

I wrapped my fermenters in blankets if the weather was cool.

Supermarket is fine for tomato paste (home brand), sugar (home brand) and bakers yeast (Lowans - not the Tandaco sachets - too exxy).

You will probably need a hydrometer (measures specific gravity so you can tell when the wash is finished) and an alcometer (measures ABV). I used vegemite jars for my cuts but some people use stubbies. Glass containers sor low wines - I used flagons or juice bottles. Glass containers for infusions. I used wide mouth jars from Kmart.

Cheers
Carol

Thanks Carol!

Andrew has nominated you as the worlds pre-eminent expert on the Boka system, so I may be back with more than a question or 2!

I can swap some Haighs choccys for your knowledge.

[Carol]

Hi Shane
DK why Andrew made a boka guru! I am verey much a beginner in distilling but I will help you if I can.
Cheers
Carol

[The Stig]

Your much too humble Carol , you probably know more about the Boka than most here :happy-partydance: :dance:

[Carol]

Boris the Boka who started it all has lots of company now - I am sure there is planty of collective knowledge between us all to help with all of the different situations!
But thanks for the vote of confidence!

Shane - if I haven't told you already - keep notes!!

Cheers
Carol

[Wellsy]

Carol never underestimate the info you have here :)