New Starter

[OldPoss]

Hi All,

I am just starting out, and went down the Airstill \ Gumtree \ turbo path late last year. :-D

Found this site and and am thankful for all the excellent posts and knowledge. I thought I'd wait until i had enough runs before posting.

I have done ~ 10 runs (post turbo) - with various recipes - FFV, WBAB, CFW and have been using the link provided "getting the best out of your airstill" - using stripping runs etc which have improved the product quality greatly.

Currently limited with the throughput and output quality of the Airstill as well as having a 10l fermenetr (included with it). But it's been great fun and I have my first batch of Bourbon (neutral + SS Bourbon stavces + SS essence) maturing.



Cheers,

OP

[Doubleuj]

Gday Poss, welcome to the forum. Seems like you’re on the right track. Keep it up :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[OldPoss]

Thanks Doubleuj,

Still learning about the cuts, as I tend to find that the my heads and first run of hearts are hard to separate - but have erred on the cautious side.

Is it ok to have to re-run heads and tails components multiple times back through a stripping run ?

OP

[bluc]

I wouldnt re run fores everything else can go in a strip, or if you want a bigger influence on final taste in with spirit run :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[db1979]

G'day OldPoss, welcome to AD :greetings-waveyellow:

[OldPoss]

Cheers db1979

[OldPoss]

Thanks bluc,

Yes I get rid of the fores - and re-run the heads and tails in with the stripped product (low wines ?) - try to make it ~ 4l @ 30% as that is all the airstill takes. Just not sure that the still can really do that good a job of repocessing the heads\tails.

A larger capacity will be good - one day :smile:

OP

[Professor Green]

Welcome Sutekh!

Sounds like you're off to a good start

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[OldPoss]

Thanks

There was only one doctor - Tom Baker was the best

OP

[bluc]

:text-+1:

[southern45]

Welcome! You’re on the right path running the AirStill that way. You can get a decent end product when you take your time with them. Get yourself a 25L or 30L fermenter so you can do larger ferments. This will cut down a bit of time for you.

[OldPoss]

Thanks

Just aquired 2x 27l ferment drum via gumtree.
Next is to look for reflux still/pot still and larger boiler.

I think with an infusion basket the airstill will be good for making gin.

OP

[bluc]

Most macerate when using airstill :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Carol]

Hi Old Poss

I have previously made a gin extract with the air still and it turned out pretty well. It is very concentrated and you add as much or as little as you like to a neutral spirit. If you look up Zymurgy Bob's gin extract it will tell you how to do it.

Regards
Carol

[OldPoss]

Thanks Carol will do
Was keen to start with Odin's recipe once mandarins come into season

[OldPoss]

Just starting off slow and with a low budget and are looking for a used reflux still or combo pot/reflux. Have seen some ads for the SS super reflux with a 27 - 30 litre boiler.
Im happy to go with a reflux option at this stage - but was wondering if these units are Ok for what they produce and with the water flow required. I don't have much space which is also why these look like a good option.
Has anyone had experience with these - understand they are entry level but are they other options out there. The pure distilling units don't come up that often.
Have also seen the Fuselex express with a 30l boiler for 400 - but information is slim on this model and they don't seem to have a good reputation.

Anyone have any advise on this - I'm located in sunny Brisbane.

Thanks :cool: .