 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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"Hi all,
I am completely new to this forum. I am thinking of making my own vodka and was wondering what I would need to do it. I have been doing a lot of internet searches and am finding a lot of information on stills and other things but am finding most of it confusing. My interest would be to make very small amounts for my consumption and in the future to experiment with different flavors. Is there something like a step by step book or can someone on here post on how to get started and what I would need to get started. Any help would be great.
Thanks, Todd"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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Todd,
There's a bunch of stuff you can pull off the web. There are two books that are easy to find in pdf format if you just do a google search on their titles. They may be a good starting point if your initial interest is in the equipment:
"Making Gin & Vodka" by Jon Stone
"The Compleat Distiller" by by Michael Nixon & Michael McCaw
--JB
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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Do you have any equipment in mind yet?
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: John Barleycorn  Todd,
There's a bunch of stuff you can pull off the web. There are two books that are easy to find in pdf format if you just do a google search on their titles. They may be a good starting point if your initial interest is in the equipment:
""Making Gin & Vodka"" by Jon Stone
""The Compleat Distiller"" by by Michael Nixon & Michael McCaw
--JB Hi, thanks for the reply. I will search for those today. Thanks, Todd"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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Originally Posted by: scotty Do you have any equipment in mind yet? Hi scotty, No, not yet. I'm hoping to find out what i will need to buy. I have seen the 8 and 15 gallon sets on the brewhaus site but I'm currently not sure if that is what I need. I am totally new to this so I am starting at zero. Do you have any suggestions? Any help would be freat. Thanks, Todd
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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I have the 8 gallon-- there were a few times i wish i had the 15 gallon-- you can run the 15 gallon one with 8 gallons or less if you want to. You may be thinking of propane as a heat source which is very good. I would suggest that you have BH install a couple of couplings so that if you want to convert to electric, you will avoid the inconvenience of having them installed later.
You need a fermenter bucket. I started with 7.9 gallon sizes. Then i added 6 gallon with screw top. Then i bought 2 10 gallon fermenters. I just recently added a 20 gallon fermenter. HOBBY STUFF LOL i done even remember why i bought so many but they serve me wall as grain storage bins when im not fermenting in them. The 10 gallon fermenters easily hold 1 50 pound bag of grain.
Dont forget some basic tools.
You absolutely must own a tripple scale hydrometer to determine the potential alcohol of your mash and also to monitor the rate of progress of the fermentation.
The proof and trails hydrometer(one that test the proof of the finished/sfter distillation product is not necessary but you will eventually want one
You need some basic chemicals
yeast nutrient
yeast energizer
sanitzing chemicals
it goes on and on.
ill post my inventory sheet below--((( THAT DIDNT WORK???))) :))
just dont rush into anything
ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, DONT BE ONE OF THOSE JERKS WHO WANT FOLKS TO THINK THEY KNOW EVERYTHING
(((( RESEARCH ALL THE ADVICE YOU GET FROM ANYONE) JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE REPLYS, THAT DOESNT MEAN THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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Originally Posted by: scotty I have the 8 gallon-- there were a few times i wish i had the 15 gallon-- you can run the 15 gallon one with 8 gallons or less if you want to. You may be thinking of propane as a heat source which is very good. I would suggest that you have BH install a couple of couplings so that if you want to convert to electric, you will avoid the inconvenience of having them installed later.
You need a fermenter bucket. I started with 7.9 gallon sizes. Then i added 6 gallon with screw top. Then i bought 2 10 gallon fermenters. I just recently added a 20 gallon fermenter. HOBBY STUFF LOL i done even remember why i bought so many but they serve me wall as grain storage bins when im not fermenting in them. The 10 gallon fermenters easily hold 1 50 pound bag of grain.
Dont forget some basic tools.
You absolutely must own a tripple scale hydrometer to determine the potential alcohol of your mash and also to monitor the rate of progress of the fermentation.
The proof and trails hydrometer(one that test the proof of the finished/sfter distillation product is not necessary but you will eventually want one
You need some basic chemicals
yeast nutrient
yeast energizer
sanitzing chemicals
it goes on and on.
ill post my inventory sheet below--((( THAT DIDNT WORK???))) :))
just dont rush into anything
ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, DONT BE ONE OF THOSE JERKS WHO WANT FOLKS TO THINK THEY KNOW EVERYTHING
(((( RESEARCH ALL THE ADVICE YOU GET FROM ANYONE) JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE REPLYS, THAT DOESNT MEAN THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. Hi Scotty, Thanks for the reply. Would these be good to start with? This for a still set up http://www.brewhaus.com/...-Distiller-P1017C96.aspx And this for a fermenter set up http://www.brewhaus.com/...er-Kit-Gold-P976C97.aspx Thanks, Todd
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
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I have that design boiler that i purchased as my first still-- i really dont like it because the filler hole is too small for my taste- i think you would be happier with the premium kettle that has a very large access to the top
I think that input from others will help you decide.
Other than my feelings about the acces cover, I think that still/package will be very good
I see that the fermenter is recomended by (((bayou ruler))) --- His input is always smart to listen to. I like the 8 gallon fermenter bucket is perfect
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: scotty Ii think you would be happier with the premium kettle that has a very large access to the top
I think that input from others will help you decide. <snip> I see that the fermenter is recomended by (((bayou ruler))) +1 I like the both the fermenting bucket and the premium boiler. You can also get some spare buckets at the bakery department at Sam's clubs. They're used for icing and clean up very nicely. The test jar is pretty cheap. So you might want to get a spare. If you do, consider getting a pyrex cylinder. They're much more durable and won't shatter/splinter all over the place when they break. --JB"
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Hey Todd welcome. Can't go wrong with Brewhaus Kits. I would sure snag the big daddio bucket if you decide to go that direction. For a fermenter the Brut 20 gallon plastic trash can from HD or Lowes seems to work well. That one play especially well with the 15 gallon milk bucket. Once you buy the gizmo it has an owners manuel which tells a person how to use it..and course lot of the folks around here are well versed in the topic and are always eager to help a roookie. You dont need no steenken books..lol. You need a hooch making machine. In fact you should snag the trash can first and get you a wash going so it can be getting ready to rumble whilst the essential extractor is n root to your house.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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Definitely read books. There is something wrong with advising someone to avoid book learning. Buy plenty of them and study to compare information.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate all the suggestions. Please don't knock anyone off the forum on my account. I'll take all opinions and advice I can get. I research things to death before I do them so I DO plan on getting the two books that have been suggested. I looked for the pdf versions but could not find them, I also check Barnes and Noble for a nook download but no luck there so I will have to order copies. Are there any other good ones for beginners like myself? I like everyone's suggestion on the 15 gallon premium kettle and larger fermentation bucket. Would this be a bit extreme for someone who only plans on small batches or is this something I'll enjoy so much that it is better to buy the larger capacity now instead it being an additional cost later? Thanks again for your help.
Todd
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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I found the gin book to be very informative. No one book will have everything you want. The complete distiller is a standard if it by AMBROSE COOPER OR MIKE NIXON
I have both moonshine made simple and making corn whiskey In addition to the aforementioned books.
I also have the Gert strand book "HOME DISTILLATION HANDBOOK". I hate to down anything Rick sells but that book is nothing but a commercial for STRAND.
I have 2 technical books. one is brewchem 101 and the other is principles of brewing science. They are both loaded with information but i dont have enough chemistry background to understand all the info
(((( I WOULD LIKE TO WARN YOU ABOUT THE COMPLETE DISTILLER))
There is a book called "THE COMPLETE DISTILLER (1757) I bought it USED thinking i was saving money but it is just a scanned copy of a very old book. It is written in old english and the formulas/methods are vague an un usable in my eyes
2010 version by cooper is ligit and the 2004 version by nixon is also ligit
((((((((((((I hope my info on the complete distiller 1757 is accurate.))))))))
Books by the beer gurus are great for lots of information on mashing and fermenting.
Authors such as PAPAZIAN--NOONAN --WHEELER AND PROTZ- MILLER -DAVID LINE AND GREG NOONAN ETC.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
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"JUST A COMMENT ON ONLY PLANNING SMALL BATCHES. LOL LOL LOL  MAYBE 20 GALLON ONE IS A BIT OF AN OVER KILL to start with ; but it is not un common to end up with a bit more wurt than you planned on. i have a 2 of the 6gallons --2 of the 7.5 gallons --one of the 8 gallon -- 2 of the 10 gallon and a 20 gallon one also"
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/4/2012(UTC)
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Since I have a 15.5g keg, a 10g wash fits me perfectly. So I use a 20g Rubbermaid Brute food-grade trash can with a light-blue recyclable trash bag on top. That leaves me with a bit of room that will hold a layer of CO2 if I (CAREFULLY) take the cap off the fermenter. So far, 4 ferments completed and only 2 have blown the top off the fermenter.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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" Originally Posted by: John Barleycorn Todd,
There's a bunch of stuff you can pull off the web. There are two books that are easy to find in pdf format if you just do a google search on their titles. They may be a good starting point if your initial interest is in the equipment:
""Making Gin & Vodka"" by Jon Stone
""The Compleat Distiller"" by by Michael Nixon & Michael McCaw
--JB Hi John, I was finally able to find the pdf's of both of these. Thanks for the info. Pretty good reading so far. Todd"
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 14
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Hey maddawgs I just got my ps2 and 15 gal tank it's a work of art you will be very pleased with it I swear and there is a lot of good folks on here that can help you ever step just need to read passed some post but all in all I love it and running my second run this week end it's a blast to make something from start to drinkable end lol and welcome
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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Hi Coldwolf,
Congrats on the new purchase. Currently doing as much reading as I can to learn a lot before I make my first purchase. About a quarter of the way thru The compleat distiller, pretty good reading so far. I'm also spending a lot of time reading the forum postings.
Thanks, Todd
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 14
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" Originally Posted by: Maddawgs Hi Coldwolf,
Congrats on the new purchase. Currently doing as much reading as I can to learn a lot before I make my first purchase. About a quarter of the way thru The compleat distiller, pretty good reading so far. I'm also spending a lot of time reading the forum postings.
Thanks, Todd Just ran my 2nd run last night worked great got my next run tonight to many mixes going lol need to slow down a bit I just got me two 55gal blue cans from a buddy and in the works to make them into a ferment tanks so maddawg hope you choose one to get I'm pushing or hoping u choose the ps2 with 15gal tank keep reading I read all I can get my hands on and hell I even got the wife helping she finds me books on the matter lol"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 515
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Hi Coldwolf, Wow you are certainly getting you money out of that unit. So far it looks like the PS2 hi cap with the 15 gal tank is the way to go. It is probably a bit more than I need for now but good if I scale up later. It fits with my motto "it is better to have it and not need it than it is to need it and not have it". I saw some units on the mile hi site http://www.milehidistill...inch-dual-purpose-tower/ that have a heating element plumbed in. Is this something that brewhaus does? I'm currently reading these two "Making Gin & Vodka" by Jon Stone and "The Compleat Distiller" by by Michael Nixon & Michael McCaw. So fat the compleat distiller is a great read and I'm learning a lot. Can you suggest any other good books to add to the list? Thanks, Todd
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