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chickensoup
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« on: November 13, 2008, 09:33:37 PM » |
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I just know one of you little tinkers, know how to successfully build one of these and would appreciate some help. Its probably totally illegal........................that's the fun bit!
pm if need be.
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My first recollection of tinkering was wiring a 240v radio cord to a 9v motor to my technic Lego truck, it ended with setting the kitchen on fire!............................I couldn't sit down for two days!
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chickensoup
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2008, 09:57:15 PM » |
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where's Billi? he'll know.
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My first recollection of tinkering was wiring a 240v radio cord to a 9v motor to my technic Lego truck, it ended with setting the kitchen on fire!............................I couldn't sit down for two days!
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David
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« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2008, 09:59:54 PM » |
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Very simple to do. Like freezing spirits there are legal problems if one is caught. There should be instructions for a pot still on Internet or in books.
To make whisky one starts off by making beer. It is then distilled once and one gets a foul smelling liquid. This is then distilled for a second time and one gets new spirit, very nice it is too (though it should only be taken in small quantities). When it has been aged for at least three years it may be called whisky. Whisky should only be drunk when a little water has been added to it.
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Amy
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2008, 10:06:40 PM » |
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AS i recall, moonshine stills are kept up in the mountains because they have a strong smell which the feds try to sniff out.
The temperature of the still is critically important to the quality of the spirit. Like with petro chemicals, distillation is fractional with stratification of differing qualities.
The raw stuff will cause blindness and other fatal problems.
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Ivan
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2008, 10:10:20 PM » |
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I agree - if it's illegal, then there's added incentive.
Can't really advise you on the still itself, although it's fairly straightforward. I'd suggest a reflux still to give better purity and take care - the convention is to chuck away the first bit that comes through and the last bit. This is because they have higher concentrations of toxic stuff (dibasic oils/methanol?) and can be toxic to drink. Don't be tempted to keep every last drop. There's bound to be a good DIY guide on the internet somewhere.
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SteveH
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« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2008, 10:10:30 PM » |
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Distilled a couple of pints of horrendous sloe wine in a modified aluminium pressure cooker...  ... once. Burned with a very pale blue flame & had a Kick like a mule... I had to start wearing glasses shortly afterwards...  Unless you can get the temperature correct for meths rather than ethanol... not a problem... Personally, if it's fruit wine, I would stick to freeze fictionalisation... you get much more flavour & a much nicer drink... Not done any of this for many years now...  |
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Preveli, South Crete.
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AlanM
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2008, 10:18:35 PM » |
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I have the plans for a still if any one wants a copy. It is a zip file, pdf format. Havent built it yet, still building the house first. This one allows you to control the fractional distillation to avoid the methanol "heads" and the other toxic "tails" by temperature control. Uses rashig rings to boost distillation circulation to increase purity. Any one interested  |
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chickensoup
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2008, 10:25:54 PM » |
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Yes Alan, totally for research though! |
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My first recollection of tinkering was wiring a 240v radio cord to a 9v motor to my technic Lego truck, it ended with setting the kitchen on fire!............................I couldn't sit down for two days!
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AlanM
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2008, 10:31:10 PM » |
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Okee dokey ! How shall i impart such information to you, shall i e-mail it or somesuch method thru the ether. Dont think the pm option allows attachments.
Alan
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billi
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« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2008, 05:42:50 AM » |
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where's Billi? he'll know. Hey  why should i ? cause drunk , german and half irish  But found some infos for you sober Will PM to you Billi Oh quite a lot to find if you go to .google.de and type in "Destille " and go on Bilder (picture) search Getting thirsdy now , sa bid early perhaps even on a Friday |
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« Last Edit: November 14, 2008, 06:08:59 AM by billi »
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Guinness no Grid comes near
1.6 kw and 2.4 kw PV array , Outback MX 60 and FM80 charge controller ,24 volt 1600 AH Battery ,6 Kw Victron inverter charger, 1.1 kw high head hydro turbine as a back up generator , 5 kw woodburner, 36 solar tubes with 360 l water tank, 1.6 kw windturbine
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Bob
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« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2008, 06:42:09 AM » |
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I agree with Ivan. Reflux stills are the best and can be made from copper pipe or stainless.
It is a good idea to junk the first 100ml or so and then to add a good amount of charcoal (good BBQ stuff is ok). This helps to clean up the flavor and remove the various phenolic compounds. It is illegal in most Northern European countries.
The other method (mentioned above) is the original Calvados Method. If you freeze a water and alcohol mixture the waters freezes, the alcohol does not, it can then be separated, spinning is best.
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It's not what you make, it's what you use that counts!
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insolare
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« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2008, 08:02:18 AM » |
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... I had to start wearing glasses shortly afterwards... Don't you wish you'd listened to your mum when she said, "If you play with it you'll go blind." |
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Bill H
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« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2008, 08:35:13 AM » |
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It's surprising what advanced equipment one might be able to pick up in the UK if one were interested in distilling water. Electrically powered, fully automatic, activated carbon filters.... 21st Centrury, no copper or meths burners in sight. Bill |
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The only safe place for a fusion reactor is 93 million miles away.
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kristen
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« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2008, 09:42:53 AM » |
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Chum of mine used to put his demijohns of wine, once fermented, in the freezer; and then filter out the ice with some gauze. He seemed to think the result was pretty good!
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