Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Living up on the QLD central coast. Have dreams of making a semi decent rum and some neutral spirit, mainly for a Gin base. Have a background in beer. Started with the kit and kilo and slowly migrated to partial grain. Haven’t brewed in quite some time but just starting to get back into it. Looking to move into all grain so eyeing off the 65ltr Brewzilla Gen 4 or 3. Haven’t decided yet. Bank balance may make that decision for me.
Inherited most of my father’s distilling gear a couple of years ago. Simple boiler 35ltr, a couple of super reflux stills, demijohns and assorted fermenter's. Also, some neutral that was made close on 23 years ago. Have very quickly found out the super reflux are not ideal for what I am chasing, and parts are an issue. I have purchased a cheap reflux column. Also brought some other copper parts to extend the column and convert it into more of a pot still as needed. My first attempt at making a wash (TPW) should go ahead this weekend. Have been reading through quite a few threads, so now know enough screw things up royally. Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.
Cheers
Nodpharm

G'Day Nod,
Welcome to the Rabbit Hole mate and man you just have to make a start with the copper :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: then there's no return or hope left :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Bryan

Can I say , please please stay away from the 65L brewzilla.
It’s very much a compromise and will never be “perfect” for whatever still you have.
Anyway , welcome and enjoy your stay.
Cheers

RuddyCrazy wrote:G'Day Nod,
Welcome to the Rabbit Hole mate and man you just have to make a start with the copper :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: then there's no return or hope left :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Bryan

$1265 for a 6 meter length of 3 inch copper up here so it was a no on a full copper system. This way I can add a bit at a time and the financial controller may not notice. No dear it isn't new Stainless always turns a coppery colour once used a couple of times. ;-)
Cheers

The Stig wrote:Can I say , please please stay away from the 65L brewzilla.
It’s very much a compromise and will never be “perfect” for whatever still you have.
Anyway , welcome and enjoy your stay.
Cheers

Hi Stig
I was mainly looking at the Brewzilla for the mashing side of things, both beer and spirits. Using it as a boiler was just a bonus. I see I have more research to do already.
Cheers

Nodpharm wrote:

The Stig wrote:I was mainly looking at the Brewzilla for the mashing side of things, both beer and spirits. Using it as a boiler was just a bonus. I see I have more research to do already.
Cheers

That’s great if that’s all you want to do with it , as long as you know the limitations.
I’m always getting calls from people who wish they had never bought them.
Cheers

The Stig wrote:

Nodpharm wrote:

The Stig wrote:I was mainly looking at the Brewzilla for the mashing side of things, both beer and spirits. Using it as a boiler was just a bonus. I see I have more research to do already.
Cheers

That’s great if that’s all you want to do with it , as long as you know the limitations.
I’m always getting calls from people who wish they had never bought them.
Cheers

could you elaborate on that please.
are you comparing the zilla to other all-in-ones like the grainfather etc or as a distilling/brewing apparatus in general?
or are the calls you're always getting from people who don't really know how to operate/modify them.
just askin like

Prob cause they are not an ideal still boiler. Because of temp controllers built in..the 100l upcoming one looks interesting for mashing though..

bluc wrote:Prob cause they are not an ideal still boiler. Because of temp controllers built in..the 100l upcoming one looks interesting for mashing though..

that's why i said 'modified'
the main element on mine goes to a 2-way switch, which enables me to use the element through the normal brewzilla controller or flick it over to a secondary power lead that i plug into my power controller for spirit runs.
the onboard temp control and concealed elements are great for holding temps for glucan rest, sach rests, corn gels etc.
it's also great for mashing, good efficiency with false bottom, mash pipe and pump with recirc arm.
what's the other problem from all these callers?

howard wrote:

bluc wrote: for glucan rest, sach rests, corn gels etc.
it's also great for mashing, good efficiency with false bottom, mash pipe and pump with recirc arm.
what's the other problem from all these callers?

that’s what they are designed to do , hold a temp and step etc .
Without modification they aren’t ideal for distilling .
That’s what people complain about, they are sold these boilers as a distilling vessel and they can’t get them to work.
I’m left to explain why they don’t work so well and that they need to be modded but a lot of people just don’t want to mess with electronics etc .
If your ok doing the mods that’s fine but I always getting calls from people who aren’t and they are looking for something that will do the job correctly

The Stig wrote:

howard wrote:

bluc wrote: for glucan rest, sach rests, corn gels etc.
it's also great for mashing, good efficiency with false bottom, mash pipe and pump with recirc arm.
what's the other problem from all these callers?

that’s what they are designed to do , hold a temp and step etc .
Without modification they aren’t ideal for distilling .
That’s what people complain about, they are sold these boilers as a distilling vessel and they can’t get them to work.
I’m left to explain why they don’t work so well and that they need to be modded but a lot of people just don’t want to mess with electronics etc .
If your ok doing the mods that’s fine but I always getting calls from people who aren’t and they are looking for something that will do the job correctly

right, i'll bet it's frustrating trying to explain the power/take-off/temp control needed in distilling.
it took a few runs, after buying a 2" CM, before the penny dropped about power control. :doh:
i modded myself it about 2 years ago and it's been a great since.
i would recommend the mod by a licenced electrician to anyone, shouldn't take more than an hour.