 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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"Hi everyone,
I have about $600 and am wondering what you more experienced folk would recommend I purchase to get started hobby distilling.
The following assumptions can be made:
* I do not want to build the still.
* I want to be able to make vodkas and gins to start
* I want to be able to make rums and whiskeys later on
Given these assumptions, what equipment (Brewhaus still? thermometers? hydrometers? etc., etc.) would you put in your ideal list?
Thanks in advance!
Steve"
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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"Hi Steve and welcome. If I had it to start over again, I would order what I now use. The High Capacity keg column complete. Purchase a used keg. Then the higher fermenter kit. I think it has the 250 ml glass flask and larger alchohol meter with it? at least one extra fermenter (keg will hold 2 batches). Enough yeast, turbo works fine for neutrals, to last you a while and save later shipping costs. Digital thermometer with an alarm. Propane turkey fryer (the hotter the better), if you can run it outside or a safe place. Otherwise, perhaps have the keg modified for screw in electric hot water heater elements. That should make you good to go, and produce some great drinks. Originally Posted by: steveb  Hi everyone,
I have about $600 and am wondering what you more experienced folk would recommend I purchase to get started hobby distilling.
The following assumptions can be made:
* I do not want to build the still.
* I want to be able to make vodkas and gins to start
* I want to be able to make rums and whiskeys later on
Given these assumptions, what equipment (Brewhaus still? thermometers? hydrometers? etc., etc.) would you put in your ideal list?
Thanks in advance!
Steve "
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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"I would buy all thru Brewhaus, you will spend aprox $500.00 for everything and will have all you need to do it right. You will save time and money. Pro 2 kit.
popapina"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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Thanks for your thoughts.
With the Pro Series II, do I need to plug in running water for cooling?
Steve
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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I use an ice chest with the water pump provied, the bigger the better, you can add ice if needed, I do. keep it cool ! popapina
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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Thanks.
How long does a single distilling take for a full batch in the PS II?
Steve
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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"5gal. mash heat up time is 30-45 min. then 2 - 2 1/2 hrs till finish. Do not rush it. Mash is 5gal. H2O, 10lbs. cracked corn, 12lbs. sugar and turbo yeast to cover top, should take 5 - 6 days and might yeild 3/4 gal. 160 - 170 proof.
popapina"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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Is that 5 days with the heating source on the whole time?
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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Mash fermention 5 - 6 days, distilling time 2 1/2 - 3 hrs.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: popapina Mash fermention 5 - 6 days, distilling time 2 1/2 - 3 hrs. Thats about right for the HC unit, which I think is what you have if memory serves me? If useing the 2"" PS II Pro. You would need to run the actual run after heatup, for at least twice as long, and for the same quality, almost 3 times as long. At least for a refluxed neutral."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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"Thanks.
Any recommendations for a 'dummies' guide to distilling?"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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"For a great and easy begginers guide for new distillers. Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/new_distillers/Click on the files section in the left panel, and check out the FAQ section especially written to answer questions, issues, terminology, recipes, etc. Very concise and easy."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 68
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2010(UTC)
Posts: 38
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"I am not a distiller but am looking at the equipment. I saw the recipe from papapina for the corn mash. I have been a wine maker for a lot of years. My understanding is that what you distill needs to be fairly clean. Is there something you do with the mash after it ferments and before you distill it. I assume you siphon off the top but it seems that would not be too clean.
Probably a dumb question but I have no idea. thanks"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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"I strain the mash into a large cooler or bucket, clean the mash bucket and pour it back into the mash bucket. Let it set one day, all the junk will settle, a hose is good to remove, then distill. If you try to distill when the mash is dirty you could cloge up the colum and you do not want that to happen, it will eather burp or blowup !
popapina"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2010(UTC)
Posts: 38
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When making wine I add campden tablets (sodium metabisulphite) to the jug. I guess you would not need that for corn mash because it not a fruit and the fermentation time is so short. It is a sterilizer and a preservative.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/14/2009(UTC)
Posts: 92
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"Not Needed !
H2O
Corn
Sugar
Yeast"
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