Helping us help you - a guide to asking for advice

[Camikaze]

Hello forum :greetings-waveyellow:

This post is a simple guide, for us to consider the sort of information that we all need to think about when asking for help/advice. It is very difficult to provide assistance in relation to our questions if we don't provide some basic information. It is extremley difficult to provide accurate assistance when posts/threads etc read like an SMS conversation. Please take the time to consider what you are asking before hitting the submit button. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Some of these points will not be applicable to your specific question/s. Some of these points will have nothing to do with what you are asking either but the forum population will thank you for considering your query, by being able to provide you with the best advice possible.

For example:

If your question/s are related to Stills/what to buy/build etc..

Consisder the following points as a guide to the sort of information that needs to be provided in order to receive accurate assistance.

Intended alcohol type produced?
Store bought or home built?
Budget?
Building skills?
Gas - electric?
Your distilling experience?
Have you conducted any research?

If your question/s are related to Recipe help (stalled washes, what to expect, I want to replicate... etc)

Consisder the following points as a guide to the sort of information that needs to be provided in order to receive accurate assistance.

Again, intended finished product?
Recipe ingredients/yeasts/nutrients etc.
Use of turbo products?
Gravities?
Pitching temp?
Wash temp/ambient temps etc?
How long has the wash been running for?
Have you made this wash before? Results?
Fermenter type?

If your question/s are related to Finished products (tastes like shit/cloudy when diluted/burns...etc)

Consisder the following points as a guide to the sort of information that needs to be provided in order to receive accurate assistance.

Equipment used?
Finished product intended? (whiskey/vodka/rum etc)
Cuts?
Run speed - collection rates?
Amount of heat used?
Column temps?
Aging techniques - time on oak/how much oak/oaking % ?
Using Turbo gear?

If your question/s are related to Sourcing materials/ingredients etc

Consisder the following points as a guide to the sort of information that needs to be provided in order to receive accurate assistance.

Your location?
Specifically what you are after
Your location?
Quantities/lengths of materials
Budget?
Again...YOUR LOCATION!

If your question/s are related to Technical advice

Clear and concise explanation is the key here. We need to understand what you are asking before any advice be given.

Pictures tell a thousand words. Plus, we all love pics. If you are able to, take a happy snap to help explain your question/query. Failing that, try uploading a drawing or two. It gives the members a visual reference to your query and you never know, another issue may be pointed out to you.
Be mindful that we are all learning new things everyday in regard to this hobby/obsession. We may not have an answer for you but please, do not be discouraged. We will do our best to help you out in every way possible. Its how we learn too. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

If your question/s are related to Electrical wiring how-tos/tips etc,

Bear in mind:

DO NOT BE OFFENDED WHEN YOU ARE TOLD TO SEEK THE HELP OF AN ELECTRICIAN!

Yes, there are a few qualified members on the forum. It is not their obligation to provide you with anything. If you zap yourself (and nobody wishes that upon anyone), it is on your head. Not the forums, not the moderators/admin staff and certainly not on our qualified members. We do not need to spruke on about the dangers of electricity. Use your head. Look after yourself and your families.

A final note, there will always be that curly question that the guide above has little, to no bearing on. Do not fear. Ask away. You never know...

Take care

:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: