Comments for Still Smart

Comment on The Cheekiest of Cheeky Vimtos by guerrila distilla

guerrila distilla — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:47:20 +0000

have you tried fermenting a normal sugar mash and adding the vimto after fermentation. that way you get all the flavours without the hassle of ph balancing/yeast killing additives. i have tried making a cherry flavoured spirit using cherry concentrate the same way and the results were pretty impressive. use a good turbo yeast (i use alcotec triple distilled), clear it with finings, draw off the liquid and add the cordial straight to the still and away you go. you don’t have to worry about off tastes produced by any addatives or chemicals that may react badly to fermentation using this method. there are too many problems fermenting a cordial to be worth the hassle. if you do succeed let me into the secret though

Comment on Why Buy a SmartStill? by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:13:14 +0000

Don’t forget that the easystill/smartstill type devices are basically pot stills and only have a certain ability to remove water - if you read about, you’ll see that they’re not very efficient.

There are a few “off the shelf” reflux still’s that will up the % ABV from your wash/mash mixes. Even then, they have a limited ability to remove water and only get to a certain level/strength/concentration.

I’ve been looking around to see if I can find out about modifying some kit to make a vacuum still, as it would appear that if I can manage that, I should be able to get some very high purity ethanol, but run the still at a much lower temperature (I’m no expert but I think I’ve read it right).

Comment on About by Graham

Graham — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:12:18 +0000

Hello,

What a great website, I shall ensure we link to it from our front page on our new site if thats OK with you? We are working on a new site which will be live by 1st August and the SmartStill is going to be front of house on the whole site as we too think it is a fabulous product.

Kind Regards

Graham

Comment on How Do I Make Alcohol With My SmartStill? by Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:12:18 +0000

Glad to hear it! It’s all stuff which I cobbled together from reading lots of websites and forum posts when I first started, which took me a lot of searching. I figured someone should put it all together to make it easier for other people, and it’s good to know that it’s helped at least one person - happy distilling!

Comment on How Do I Make Alcohol With My SmartStill? by Canyon Cat

Canyon Cat — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:03:50 +0000

Jimmy, I meant to thank you for this thread because I followed your process to the letter and have been 100% thrilled with the results. I entered the numbers into the calculator, printed them out, started my run and then tabulated my own results using 500 ml cuts. Two runs later, I have obtained very consistent and satisfying product.

Very happy! The EasyStill rocks!!

Comment on Why Buy a SmartStill? by Canyon Cat

Canyon Cat — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:45:23 +0000

Thanks again for the tips!

I learned my lesson after my first run and on the second run I did three cuts of 500ml. I then took 250ml from each cut and poured into two 750 ml Skyy vodka bottles (I love the color!). Even Steven for both bottles. Tastes great!

One of these days I’ll do a second or third distill to make rocket fuel, but for now I’m happier than a pig in thatwhichcannotbenamed.

What a hobby . . . .

Comment on Recipe - Lime Vodka by Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:36:18 +0000

I’m watching my weight. Admittedly, I’m watching it increase, but the sentiment remains the same.

Comment on Recipe - Lime Vodka by Xander Cormorant

Xander Cormorant — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:31:58 +0000

Bring this round my house. Right now.

Oh: and DIET coke? Bummers.

Comment on Why Buy a SmartStill? by Jimmy

Jimmy — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:55:06 +0000

Carbon filtering works best at around 40%, and it works best if you chill first. It still works at 50% though, so you’ll be fine!

As far as the freezing is concerned - sounds about right, that’s 1/3 water so it makes sense that it would make slush. I’ve had that with store bought vodka when it’s the cheap stuff!

I think I need to put a forum on this site, pronto.

Comment on Why Buy a SmartStill? by Canyon Cat

Canyon Cat — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:17:10 +0000

Thanks for all the helpful info, guys! I ordered a 30cm alcoholmeter and 250ml graduated cylinder from Brewhaus yesterday, so I guess I’ll be more accurate on future runs.

I just recently noticed that I’m not supposed to run 50%ABV through my carbon filter. On my recent two runs after tossing the first 50ml foreshot I ran the entire run through the carbon tube. Was that not advisable? I have to say that the banana/yeast bouquet on the second and third 500ml “cuts” was very subtle–not objectionable to my palate.

Now here’s kind of a goofy question: I took my first “cut” of 500 ml and mixed it with 250 ml of water. I put it into the freezer and got an ice slush? WTF?? I thought it would all blend together and not freeze?

Anway, this is fun stuff . . . talk at you later.