Hey hey...

[rushn]

Hey peeps,

I’ve been lurking here for a while now, picking up a massive amount of info from all the legends. Thank you all for your contributions!

I’ve been running a Still Spirits air still for a while, quite happily and successfully. I loved being able to set up on the kitchen bench and let it go while I stuffed around preparing and cooking dinner. I did get sick of the capacity however, only being able to run 4L at a time. I realise these little stills cop a bit of flack, but for their intended purpose, they’re a great little gadget, and a good way to get into the hobby.

I upgraded to a Alcoengine reflux and 35L boiler recently, and ran my first wash through last week. I usually do TPW’s, but I had a few bags of Alcotec Vodka Star sitting around, so thought I’d put some of this down in the event I stuffed up my first production run. I was nervous, but was extremely satisfied with the result from the Alcoengine.

I took 150ml of foreshots, then collected everything in 500ml beakers until it started to smell funky (around 2.6L). I didn’t do any cuts this time around as I spent the time feeling out the still. I gotta say, I was very impressed with the results. I ran the 1mm restrictor on the 1900W element. Time-wise, it took 3hrs from boiler on to boiler off. I got an average of 94% ABV for the collection. I usually carbon filter the product from the air still, but this tasted so clean without any smell, I didn’t think I need to filter. I’m now questioning cuts?

Anyways, I hope in the future I’ll know enough to be able to contribute to this great resource.

Cheers all!

[BigRig]

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of good info and friendly members who will only be too happy to help.

[Wellsy]

Hello rushn I am not sure what your question was but if you get your cuts right you will not need to filter.
Have a read of the cuts thread in the newbie section. Cuts is just practise and time and rely on your instincts. When I first started I was so hung up on trying to find the different flavours so I would know where to cut. In the end it was as simple as I don’t like that because it was to harsh, heads cut done. Oh I did not like that because it did not taste as clean, or I don’t know why I don’t like it the way I did the previous jar, tails cut done.
As I said mate don’t get too hung up on what tastes of what at first, just rely on your instincts as to what you like

[rushn]

Hello rushn I am not sure what your question was but if you get your cuts right you will not need to filter.
Have a read of the cuts thread in the newbie section. Cuts is just practise and time and rely on your instincts. When I first started I was so hung up on trying to find the different flavours so I would know where to cut. In the end it was as simple as I don’t like that because it was to harsh, heads cut done. Oh I did not like that because it did not taste as clean, or I don’t know why I don’t like it the way I did the previous jar, tails cut done.
As I said mate don’t get too hung up on what tastes of what at first, just rely on your instincts as to what you like

Thanks Wellsy. Great advice mate. Ta