 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Hello All..I am so glad the gentleman from Brewhaus directed me to this forum. I am an absolute ignoramous regarding brewing of any kind. Like someone else said, I have only brewed coffee. I am looking forward to reading/researching in order to learn, but with my type A personality I can hardly wait to buy a distiller and get going. I just don't want to make too many rookie mistakes. I have read the Home Distillation Handbook and perused the forum here...What other suggestions are there before I purchase a still? Thank you so much, and I apologize in advance for my dumb questions....
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/12/2012(UTC)
Posts: 804
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"Hi bud, Welcome to the forum! Quote:I just don't want to make too many rookie mistakes. I have read the Home Distillation Handbook and perused the forum here...What other suggestions are there before I purchase a still? Just make sure you're comfortable with your choice of still and get going. I have a PSII HC w/1500w plate and have been very satisfied. As for the rookie mistakes ... they are inevitable ... we all make them ... they just happen less frequently with experience.  I'm pretty type A as well, so if I'm not making mistakes I don't feel like I'm learning anything. Regards, --JB"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/24/2012(UTC)
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That's a good choice for a still and you might consider them putting in an NPT fitting for a water heater element
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Thanks JB! I was thinking of getting that very model. I noticed that it comes with an 8 gallon pot..but I saw some suggesting they wished they had gone with the 15 gallon one. Which did you go with, and do you have any opinion on which one? Thank you.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Originally Posted by: dieselduo  That's a good choice for a still and you might consider them putting in an NPT fitting for a water heater element Can you pls explain what that is? Thank you
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/24/2012(UTC)
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instead of using propane or a hot plate. You can screw a hot water heating element into the NPT fitting and use a router speed controller to control your heat. It's easier for me as you still need to modify the hot plate so it doesn't cycle on and off and less expensive too. I also run inside so propane is not an option
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/12/2012(UTC)
Posts: 804
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" Quote:I noticed that it comes with an 8 gallon pot..but I saw some suggesting they wished they had gone with the 15 gallon one. Which did you go with, and do you have any opinion on which one?. I have the premium 8 gallon kettle. For what I'm doing now, 8 gallons is fine. I suppose there have been times when having a slightly higher capacity would have come in handy, but I've never regretted getting the smaller kettle. Of course that could all change if I get a different itch in the future. Personally, I think you'd be happy with either ... but if you don't mind spending some extra bucks up front, you might want to consider the larger kettle and just call it a day. --JB"
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Originally Posted by: dieselduo instead of using propane or a hot plate. You can screw a hot water heating element into the NPT fitting and use a router speed controller to control your heat. It's easier for me as you still need to modify the hot plate so it doesn't cycle on and off and less expensive too. I also run inside so propane is not an option great info! thanks
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Originally Posted by: John Barleycorn I have the premium 8 gallon kettle. For what I'm doing now, 8 gallons is fine. I suppose there have been times when having a slightly higher capacity would have come in handy, but I've never regretted getting the smaller kettle. Of course that could all change if I get a different itch in the future. Personally, I think you'd be happy with either ... but if you don't mind spending some extra bucks up front, you might want to consider the larger kettle and just call it a day. --JB Thanks JB...I think I will bite the bullet up front and get the bigger one. I have a few drinkers in my family..LOL
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2012(UTC)
Posts: 30
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welcome, I am just getting into distiling but make a crap load of beer.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 6
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i was born in odessa. be careful if you use gas to heat with or you will burn everything from san antonio to el paso to the ground, or should i say sand.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Originally Posted by: bubba i was born in odessa. be careful if you use gas to heat with or you will burn everything from san antonio to el paso to the ground, or should i say sand. Haha! You got that right! I usually tell people we move a lot of real estate out here.....from one side of the road to the other!
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/10/2012(UTC)
Posts: 85
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I built my column myself but bought the 15 gal. kettle and have been very happy with it. I don't seem to ever run into a problem with nasties getting up high enough in the kettle to affect the column vapors.
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