Home distilling

Does anybody on here do this. I am looking at buying one, any advice, tips, hints. It sounds interesting and the end result can be satisfying.

Skyline glenn ... from memory i think its TKP that makes very good brews
check with her ( TheKatsPlace)

I do. Very new at it though. I went to a homebrew shop that sold me everything I needed for my first 'batch' as a kitset type arrangement. Easy to follow instructions.
Just from another point also, I figure it costs me about $8 per bottle of spirits to make plus my time. A very satisfying way to spent a wet sunday afternoon - brewing I mean.
I've also started brewing beer, only two batches so far, Just started drinking the first batch and its not too bad, tastes more like a draught beer than a bottled beer bit most drinkable.

I think it pays to get the best still you can afford, they started about $300 and the most expensive was about $700. the better the still the better the product you produce.

I can do myself enough damage on homebrew beer without trying anything more potent.

Besides I'm fond of a good single malt which I definititely wouldn't attempt to replicate and have yet to taste a home distilled spirit that didnt resemble meths with the relevant flavouring added [xx(]

Oh dear Onganix, I hadn't got a hint of meths in mine, must be more observant! Either that or I'm just a lush that drinks anything!

Hubby's been brewing for over 8 years now--we made all the hard liquor for our wedding. I'll tell him to come have a look-see on this thread.

Diane

I have an old Still Spirits reflux I use (haven't done it for a while) which I am going to convert to a pot still so I can distill 'flavoured' spirits rather than rely on the concentrates

The guy thats in the unit next to mine where I work has just bought one of the latest jobbies plus a ceramic filter and he makes rum from a flavour he imports himself and like Organix I could usually tell a 'flavoured' spirit but this stuff is exactly like a brewed rum []

I can find out his brand of still and bits if you like

I think the quality of the filter is a biggy to not get the flavoured meths thing happening. As I said earlier, the best gear you can afford at the time.

Welcome sssnake. I agree the ceramic filter makes a big difference. I'd love a pot still, I got mine for christmas last, so I may have to wait a bit for another one. Love to know what brand and where from you friend gets his rum flavour

I have a brand new pot still but don't have a clue how to use it. Anyway, I'd probably have a divorse if I did .... I get a hard enough time from the beer and plum wine that I make (not from the drink .... that's quite reasonable ..... but from The Manager).

What sort of still do you have TKP? Im looking at a reflux StillSpirits still. I was told the pot still is bottom of the range, or do you have to use a pot still for making true fruit liquers or schnapps. I was also told to change the filter medium(carbon) after each bach or the impurities start coming through and making it harsh which may be why some home made spirits are like meths?

A reflux is the safest still to use to remove the fusel oils.

Very high concentrations of fusel oils; usually caused by incompetent distillation, can cause acute illness.
The least being a bad hangover the worst death.

I have the reflux essencia express still and a essencia filter with both ceramic and carbon filters. I've made butterscotch snapps using the spirit I made and a 'base' from the home brew shop and flavouring.
The better your still the higher the ABV. mine comes of between 85 and 90%. The still also has a tap at the bottom, not all stills do, which makes working with it, emptying etc a whole lot easier. Mine takes about 3 and a half hours to distill one batch/wash. It also has a digital thermometer.
I've never had a hangover from drinking it so I must be getting something right!

Well, I've done it. I'm now the owner of a still spirits 25l reflux still. I got it off TM for $200 with all the buckets, filters and instruments. Now all I need to do is read and understand the instructions and buy my first batch of sugars.