George, Thanks for documenting this build - you've included a lot of good ideas. I've got a two-part question about the condenser, though. #1) I have hunted and hunted and I cannot find a 2" steel compression fitting like the one you've got there _anywhere_ . The largest I've found locally was a 1-1-1/2" fitting that I believe is intended for use with electrical conduit. Lots of compression fittings in various polymers, some OK by spec for high temperatures, but darned if I can find one like the one you've got there. So, my plan (B) is to get a 20 foot coil of 3/8" soft copper tubing, anneal it, then make a worm through which the steam can flow, with the worm in either a plastic pail circulating cold water, or put the worm inside a 3" dia. or 4" dia piece of capped ABS or PVC drain pipe, then run the cooling water through that. I'm lucky because where I live, I can just run a closed loop to the outside, and the winter temperatures chill the cooling water really well. The 3/8" copper tubing is convenient also because for that I _can_ get a brass compression fitting to go into my stainless bowl steam dome. I'm using something very similar to your electrical setup to control a heating element - I was an EE before retiring, and have a couple of PLC controllers and S.S. relays with the right rating in my "stash". They use the same type of thermocouple, and are good to +/- 1 degree - close enough. Anyhow, I sure appreciate all of the knowledge you've shared in the many videos. I'm starting with a simple sugar wash or a basic corn mash - I can get all the ingredients except the DADY yeast (that's on Amazon.ca) locally. I figure K.I.S.S. for my first try. There's a Graniteware canner, 33 quart available, possibly a 23 quart S.S. stock pot also. I've left that until the last, as the steam dome, controller, sensor, and condenser will be the same for both. I've also included a water flow sensor and relay that kills the heater power if the cooling water stops flowing ( I had it on hand). That's mainly because my cooling water loop runs outside and is air-cooled by Canadian winter air. If the coolant loop should start to freeze up (e.g. sudden weather change) then the whole thing will shut down safely. Probably excessively paranoid, but since I had the pieces, I thought "why not".
George I love your channel and I am so glad your making these videos again. You are such a honest person and great to talk on the phone with. Thank you for being who you are.
Nice tips George Im working on my 230liters still And it is hard make a great weld on stainless still! Im totally newbie on welds hahaha Regards from Brazil! Keep moonshining Old man!
Oh, you just spiked my interest. I too want to have a plasma cutter. I have used one several time and love it. I need to get one. At least I can say I have one but when you need it, there is no substitute. Awesome
K type thermocouples are just a little high in range for your process, they are typically used in high temperature processes. You might want to use a j type instead.
Like most of your videos George but I've got several problems with this build and think it's dangerous. An ENAMEL BOILER is asking for trouble, don't do that. Keep the enamel boiler for mashing but not for high alcohols. Only use Copper or Stainless Steel for the boiler (no aluminum either). The steel compression fitting will have lead in it, which isn't good. Lastly the gaskets you are making really shouldn't be used in a still but that's the least of this build problem. You could always wrap the gaskets in Teflon (or other PTFE) tape. The top hat was cool. If you had a SS pot and SS top hat you could easily braze them together and not need a gasket. Also instead of coming out the side of the top hat you could have silver brazed a 2" 304 Stainless Steel ferrule to the top. At this point you can use any "standard" still parts that use tri-clamp connections. That makes it easy to pack a long column for reflux or run a short pot still column. Of course by the time you did all that you could have sourced a used 1/2 keg, cleaned it and had a 2" ferrule based boiler already that hold 15.5 gallons. :) A used 1/4 or 1/2 Keg is usually pretty easy to find on ebay, craigslist or a call to a local distributor for cheap. Definitely can be built cheaper this way.
Been stuck on the gasket, thanks for the good advice. I want to run a thought by you. They have out a flexible cookie sheet out how would that be for gasket material?
Simple tip for bending rigid copper tubing, fill it with sand first. Then you can use what ever method you like to bend it however you wish. The sand keeps the copper from kinking and basically getting squished. Works like a charm. Just, you know, empty the sand out before hooking it up.
Oh man George Orleans can be a ton of fun, but Brother Memphis in May off the hook the whole month. Jazz and Blues, BB Kings night club "King's Court" One of the nation's best cook offs BBQue, I've heard Graceland is getting put back together but I'm not sure. But if you go plan a breakfast at the Peabody hotel and catch the marching of the ducks. It's a tradition you won't want to meet sir And George thanks for all the great information, I've been distilling for a long time but you have me going where I want to be, Thank You
Ok. You managed to wear out New Orleans for me. And obviously, you have not been to the area of NO where I used to have to deliver raw milk to the Brown's Dairy bottling plant. Very low income side of town. One of our truck drivers and his wife were robbed at gun point while a cop slept in his car less than half a block away from the robbery. When the truck driver went to the cop and asked why he didn't do something when he was being robbed, the cop said "What robbery?" The overpass we had to go under to get back onto Alt 90 Highway was loaded with homeless people and vagrants. The Mardi Gras truck stop where we would sometimes have to go and weigh our trucks prior to and after unloading was also in a really bad part of town. So bad that they had steel bars on the doors and windows and they locked them after dark. An armed security guard had to let us drivers in and out to get our scale tickets. So, next time you go to NO, visit ALL of it. Not just the tourist locations.
I’m anxious to see how you make your coil. I put a 1/4 copper coil inside a 2” copper pipe. For my current condenser. It was a real struggle battling kinks. I’m hoping you’ve got a trick up your sleeve for me to use on my next one.
George, where did you get the clamps to hold the top down and how did you install them? Keep up the good work and am glad you enjoyed your trip to N.O.
George check out Amazon part # B01MA2ZVB9, it's a round silicone pastry mat that looks like it might be good to make the pot gaskets with.Have a great day.
If you need them in Canada, here's the Amazon Canada link so you don't have to pay cross-border shipping. Same clamps, same source company. CAD$12.44/set of 6. Stainless Steel 201 Spring Loaded Draw Toggle Latch Catches Hasp, Pack of 6 (86mm / 3.39" Length). www.amazon.ca/uxcell%C2%AE-Stainless-Spring-Loaded-Catches/dp/B07G1HHLY1/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Stainless+Steel+201+Spring+Loaded+Draw+Toggle+Latch+Catches+Hasp&qid=1574309609&sr=8-2
Hey George. Thanks for this series and sharing your successes. I have had a look around for pots and wandered what about a 40l catering hot water urn as a base? Is stainless steel, has a window to see the level, Has the electric element already in it and a tap to drain and it’s fairly cheap base. They sell here for about $65. Then I just need the stainless pot for the top like yours. Keep safe.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing As soon as we get out of lock down, am looking forward to giving it a go and following your other videos. Thanks for your reply.
@@hubrisnaut The plan so far is a stainless steel hot water urn, 30l but trying to get a 50l, both have a 2kw electric element which should work with the Thermostat I got. Then maybe a suitable diameter stainless mixing bow (should have a rim to clamp onto urn) , inverted, for a dome to replace the lid (Need to see what I can find to match diameter of urn but my guess is that this may not be strictly necessary to get started) or may try just the lid with bulldog clips to clamp shut. No drilling. A gasket for lid made maybe from 0.5mm thick silicon baking mat if I can find a suitable size or also seen some premium heat resistant PTFE-Fiberglass coating braai (barbecue) mats at a good price which might work as well. 0.2mm thick. If its safe to burn meat on, it must be safe for brewing, surely. For the 2" Column, from the plumbers store - a 54mm Brass compression male coupler with gasket to screw into the lid/bowl (hope this is a suitable DIY solution but may need some additional support. Not sure, winging this bit.) to take short piece of 54mm copper pipe (Short for Whiskey but still got to get ideas on how long or short this should be.) then 54mm to 15mm reducer with a 15mm 'T' piece at the top with a cap on one side to take the thermometer probe, other-side a 15mm 45' bend for the Lyne Arm. For the Lyne Arm, a length of 15mm copper pipe from the 45' bend to go to the alcoholic beverage collecting vessel. This pipe will have the condenser around it. To make a simple condenser to start like George showed in one of his videos, a length of 28mm copper pipe with a 28mm to 16mm reducer at each end, also with a 28mm T at each end for connection to water supply (Will need additional reducers to reduce it to the size of the water pipe). This assembly to slide over and be soldered to the 15mm outlet pipe. I have a small 12v submersible pump from another project for circulating cooling water through the condenser from a cooler box so I can work in the garage away from water source. Managed to get an STC1000 thermostat which is rated at 16A from a local aquarium shop to control heating of the urn. A lot of the ideas from Georges videos. I need to binge watch them all some time. he has so many good ideas and information. From what I have learned that should give a basic starter still. Stainless Braai (barbecue) grid to keep things like strainer bag etc from burning on the element may be required from my research. All the brew shops currently out of hydrometers, and yeast, and airtraps and... so this is a long term project but hope to start my first batch of Corn Flakes Whiskey in the next month or two. Hope this has given you a few ideas. George, any comments on this idea. Anything that might not fly or could be dangerous? Sorry for the long reply.
@@markal3023 No, It's cool. I am going to copy and paste it into a word document so I can go over what you said and give it some thought. (Also, most times I can't find a comment thread later.)
You can weld stainless to copper TIG welder you have to use silicon bronze. I have tried it it works all right if you want to weld copper to copper using a TIG welder you use Romex copper ground wire makes good welds
Just curious. You mentioned trying a lot of different welding and soldering techniques. I don't have access to welding equipment so I've used a lot of JB Weld on things. Could that have worked possibly or would there be a danger of leaching a chemical into your product? Great video and I'm holding my breath waiting for the next installment!
Local hardware store. It was am M-6 nut and washer. Damn expensive though they were a $1.40 each but well worth it. I'm just glad I only needed 1 or each.
I have a question unrelated to the video. My mash is starting to have a slight eggy smell. Is that normal or do I have a problem such as stray yeast the found it's way in? My mash is corn meal, table sugar, yeast energizer and D.A.D.Y.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Very good to know much appreciated. Also awesome channel. I like to take a more scientific approach to things and you guys have allowed me to do that.
Mr George id be willing to drive from Oklahoma with my torches and welders and if give you a free all day lesson on how to weld braze and solder just to enjoy your company....THAT IS IF YOUR STILL OK WERE ALL KINDA WORRIED ABOUT YOU
So happy you loved NOLA!! I'm from there but live about 40 minutes out now. I'm a nature photographer and I shoot under "Naturally Louisiana" and would love for you to check me out on FB!! I was a wine maker and am presently a distillation expert (for 42 years) in the chemical industry. I am interested in distilling spirits as I get closer to retirement!! Thanks for the videos!!
And people make fun of me becouse of all my "stuff". I love your videos and the help you have given me on my PID. Somehow I feel we are brothers from different mothers. Keep on fabricating!
Hey George quick question, you know the sight glass from Milehigh you know that soft white pouch the glass came in? After 2 years i recently just found that little pouch and was wondering if thatd work to stuff juniper berries or other ingredients in the sightglass as like a mini muslin bag? I found it and put 2 and 2 together im just not %100 sure if thatd be a viable alternative to a sock in the still column.
I once used one of those blue enamel pots to clean some copper parts with some citric acid and water solution and it washed away the blue enamel coating and turned the water blue colored so imagine what alcohol would do. Maybe if you only put low wines less than 20% alcohol in there, but I don't think you could fill it up with 40 or 50 % double run stuff in that pot without having problems.
Just curious, and I’m no scientist, lol. Is there any chance the enamel paint of that pot to possibly wear away or leach away from the spirits and acids from the liquids?
Well, I would guess that is possible after a while but this is a throw together still of items I had laying around. I am sure it will serve the purpose before it degrades at which point I can easily make another one. This is not a high speed still. I am demonstrating that even stuff laying around can offer an inexpensive alternative to the expensive models. Kind of a try it first to see if you like it before you invest.
This is an important claim. We need the composition data. I've repaired ice-makers with fairly malleable copper tubing which claimed it could be used for potable water...
@@hubrisnaut a much more palatable way to make the point. kudos. I freak out when I see copper being used for purposes other than what it was originally designed for
@@seabass8648 Well, You are right. If it wasn't intended for potable water (food grade), it could have something other than copper in it. I never gave it any thought until you mentioned it. (Thank You) I assumed it was ok because everyone does it, which is foolish and lazy...
That roll of soft annealed copper will work harden the first time you try and bend it. To soften it again, just heat it up cherry red hot and either let it cool naturally or quench it in water, and it will be soft again! Jimmy.
I forsee you losing a lot of good steam using this as you plan to, the copper pipe needs to face the source of your gravity, doesn't it? Please distill some water to test and clean this rig before you put the M*A*S*H in it. ;)
Done with you Called three times. No return. Found advise elsewhere George. You have given good advise but you don’t answer and do not call back. Thanks anyway
THANK YOU SENSEI! I've learned So Much from Your Class! You inspire Me to Make Shine!
George, Thanks for documenting this build - you've included a lot of good ideas. I've got a two-part question about the condenser, though. #1) I have hunted and hunted and I cannot find a 2" steel compression fitting like the one you've got there _anywhere_ . The largest I've found locally was a 1-1-1/2" fitting that I believe is intended for use with electrical conduit. Lots of compression fittings in various polymers, some OK by spec for high temperatures, but darned if I can find one like the one you've got there.
So, my plan (B) is to get a 20 foot coil of 3/8" soft copper tubing, anneal it, then make a worm through which the steam can flow, with the worm in either a plastic pail circulating cold water, or put the worm inside a 3" dia. or 4" dia piece of capped ABS or PVC drain pipe, then run the cooling water through that. I'm lucky because where I live, I can just run a closed loop to the outside, and the winter temperatures chill the cooling water really well. The 3/8" copper tubing is convenient also because for that I _can_ get a brass compression fitting to go into my stainless bowl steam dome.
I'm using something very similar to your electrical setup to control a heating element - I was an EE before retiring, and have a couple of PLC controllers and S.S. relays with the right rating in my "stash". They use the same type of thermocouple, and are good to +/- 1 degree - close enough.
Anyhow, I sure appreciate all of the knowledge you've shared in the many videos. I'm starting with a simple sugar wash or a basic corn mash - I can get all the ingredients except the DADY yeast (that's on Amazon.ca) locally. I figure K.I.S.S. for my first try.
There's a Graniteware canner, 33 quart available, possibly a 23 quart S.S. stock pot also. I've left that until the last, as the steam dome, controller, sensor, and condenser will be the same for both. I've also included a water flow sensor and relay that kills the heater power if the cooling water stops flowing ( I had it on hand). That's mainly because my cooling water loop runs outside and is air-cooled by Canadian winter air. If the coolant loop should start to freeze up (e.g. sudden weather change) then the whole thing will shut down safely. Probably excessively paranoid, but since I had the pieces, I thought "why not".
Love your work George! Excellent tutorial
Love your work keep up the awesome teaching ways 👏
Nice job,very glad you enjoyed your trip to New Orleans
Another great video George, I am following this build with great interest and am amazed at your ingenuity. Thanks.
My pleasure
George I love your channel and I am so glad your making these videos again. You are such a honest person and great to talk on the phone with. Thank you for being who you are.
David, thanks so much. I truly enjoy the interaction and the hobby. Sharing is my way of paying it forward.
I'm loving this build! So cool. So many great solutions to problems everybody runs into:-)
Thanks Bearded. I'll be in touch soon.
You are totally awesome George Macgyver, I'm a huge fan... can watch your vids all day!!!
Thank you George for all your videos. I'm going to build a still using your method!!!
Hello from East Tennessee..I really like your videos
Nice tips George
Im working on my 230liters still
And it is hard make a great weld on stainless still! Im totally newbie on welds hahaha
Regards from Brazil!
Keep moonshining Old man!
Just want to say thanks for the videos I’m currently living in Texas myself. I m from West Virginia.
It’s great to see you mention tig welding, I’ve brought a beauty so I can weld stainless,copper and aluminium. And a plasma cutter to cut as well.
Oh, you just spiked my interest. I too want to have a plasma cutter. I have used one several time and love it. I need to get one. At least I can say I have one but when you need it, there is no substitute.
Awesome
From Kentucky: GO BIG BLUE!
Looks great George
George one of my go to guys 👍
K type thermocouples are just a little high in range for your process, they are typically used in high temperature processes. You might want to use a j type instead.
I also love New Orleans. I was there about a year before hurricane Katrina.
I’m really liking this idea
Ive been to New Orleans twice. I would love to go again. Cajun food is the best.
Can you share the make and model of the stainless top pot. Would like to find the same size, with that nice flange.
I enjoy your videos
Instead of making the gaskets you could purchase silicone baking
sheets from a local discount store then cut to fit
8:05 HAHAHA yes u mentioned haha and yes I 've been to NOLA and yes I had a wonderful time. Love the food!!!!
George. Have you ever been to New Orleans? I hear it’s a great place to visit! 😄 Love your comments! Love the Channel! Keep up the great work!
LOL.
That was #1 of any trip I've taken so far.
George
Thanks again.
Anytime. I am having a blast building this.
Like most of your videos George but I've got several problems with this build and think it's dangerous. An ENAMEL BOILER is asking for trouble, don't do that. Keep the enamel boiler for mashing but not for high alcohols. Only use Copper or Stainless Steel for the boiler (no aluminum either). The steel compression fitting will have lead in it, which isn't good. Lastly the gaskets you are making really shouldn't be used in a still but that's the least of this build problem. You could always wrap the gaskets in Teflon (or other PTFE) tape.
The top hat was cool. If you had a SS pot and SS top hat you could easily braze them together and not need a gasket. Also instead of coming out the side of the top hat you could have silver brazed a 2" 304 Stainless Steel ferrule to the top. At this point you can use any "standard" still parts that use tri-clamp connections.
That makes it easy to pack a long column for reflux or run a short pot still column. Of course by the time you did all that you could have sourced a used 1/2 keg, cleaned it and had a 2" ferrule based boiler already that hold 15.5 gallons. :)
A used 1/4 or 1/2 Keg is usually pretty easy to find on ebay, craigslist or a call to a local distributor for cheap. Definitely can be built cheaper this way.
I'm not able to find gasket maker like you used any link you can send would be helpful thanks
Would have loved to meet you, we are in Thibodaux (60 miles SE of New Orleans) and are VERY interested in the idea of distilling our own spirits!!
George I didn’t mention how well you look, god bless you !
Thanks
🤔 Ol Blue looking pretty cool 😎👍
Been stuck on the gasket, thanks for the good advice. I want to run a thought by you. They have out a flexible cookie sheet out how would that be for gasket material?
I've been thinking a soft 'rubber' tube slit to fit over the edge of the circumference of the lid and clamped would work...
George @2:10 The coupler on your stainless steel dome could that be also brass to connect to your copper pipe?
Simple tip for bending rigid copper tubing, fill it with sand first. Then you can use what ever method you like to bend it however you wish. The sand keeps the copper from kinking and basically getting squished. Works like a charm. Just, you know, empty the sand out before hooking it up.
Is the compression fitting Zink or Steel?
why the internal torpedo condenser instead of wrapping cooling coil around exit tube?
In refrigeration, I use white paste flux a high content silver soldier when brazing stainless to copper.
Great project you got going, very informative. Question, will the paint on the still affect the distillation process in any way? Thanks...
It is ceramic so there is no paint involved.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Great, thanks for clearing that up for me.
Oh man George Orleans can be a ton of fun, but Brother Memphis in May off the hook the whole month. Jazz and Blues, BB Kings night club "King's Court" One of the nation's best cook offs BBQue, I've heard Graceland is getting put back together but I'm not sure. But if you go plan a breakfast at the Peabody hotel and catch the marching of the ducks. It's a tradition you won't want to meet sir And George thanks for all the great information, I've been distilling for a long time but you have me going where I want to be, Thank You
I may have to visit Memphis next.
Thanks
George
How do you seal the temp probe in the vapor chamber? Seems to be a loose fit on mine
Ok. You managed to wear out New Orleans for me. And obviously, you have not been to the area of NO where I used to have to deliver raw milk to the Brown's Dairy bottling plant. Very low income side of town. One of our truck drivers and his wife were robbed at gun point while a cop slept in his car less than half a block away from the robbery. When the truck driver went to the cop and asked why he didn't do something when he was being robbed, the cop said "What robbery?" The overpass we had to go under to get back onto Alt 90 Highway was loaded with homeless people and vagrants. The Mardi Gras truck stop where we would sometimes have to go and weigh our trucks prior to and after unloading was also in a really bad part of town. So bad that they had steel bars on the doors and windows and they locked them after dark. An armed security guard had to let us drivers in and out to get our scale tickets. So, next time you go to NO, visit ALL of it. Not just the tourist locations.
I’m anxious to see how you make your coil. I put a 1/4 copper coil inside a 2” copper pipe. For my current condenser. It was a real struggle battling kinks. I’m hoping you’ve got a trick up your sleeve for me to use on my next one.
Oh yeah. This was a challenge. Video will be posted in a few hours.
You are right. I did manage to find a solution.
George
Crimp off one end of the coil and fill the tube with sand (play sand works well). Then bend away with no kinks!
He right about New Orleans, LA!!!
George, where did you get the clamps to hold the top down and how did you install them? Keep up the good work and am glad you enjoyed your trip to N.O.
Amazon
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G1FXVR7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
George check out Amazon part # B01MA2ZVB9, it's a round silicone pastry mat that looks like it might be good to make the pot gaskets with.Have a great day.
If you need them in Canada, here's the Amazon Canada link so you don't have to pay cross-border shipping. Same clamps, same source company. CAD$12.44/set of 6. Stainless Steel 201 Spring Loaded Draw Toggle Latch Catches Hasp, Pack of 6 (86mm / 3.39" Length).
www.amazon.ca/uxcell%C2%AE-Stainless-Spring-Loaded-Catches/dp/B07G1HHLY1/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Stainless+Steel+201+Spring+Loaded+Draw+Toggle+Latch+Catches+Hasp&qid=1574309609&sr=8-2
Happy Birthday George!
Thanks Mike. It's been a long time since we spoke. Hope you're still flying and doing well
George
Hey George. Thanks for this series and sharing your successes. I have had a look around for pots and wandered what about a 40l catering hot water urn as a base? Is stainless steel, has a window to see the level, Has the electric element already in it and a tap to drain and it’s fairly cheap base. They sell here for about $65. Then I just need the stainless pot for the top like yours. Keep safe.
Sounds great!
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing As soon as we get out of lock down, am looking forward to giving it a go and following your other videos. Thanks for your reply.
Sounds interesting. Would you share the specifics? I am planning (scheming) on building a still...
@@hubrisnaut The plan so far is a stainless steel hot water urn, 30l but trying to get a 50l, both have a 2kw electric element which should work with the Thermostat I got.
Then maybe a suitable diameter stainless mixing bow (should have a rim to clamp onto urn) , inverted, for a dome to replace the lid (Need to see what I can find to match diameter of urn but my guess is that this may not be strictly necessary to get started) or may try just the lid with bulldog clips to clamp shut. No drilling.
A gasket for lid made maybe from 0.5mm thick silicon baking mat if I can find a suitable size or also seen some premium heat resistant PTFE-Fiberglass coating braai (barbecue) mats at a good price which might work as well. 0.2mm thick. If its safe to burn meat on, it must be safe for brewing, surely.
For the 2" Column, from the plumbers store - a 54mm Brass compression male coupler with gasket to screw into the lid/bowl (hope this is a suitable DIY solution but may need some additional support. Not sure, winging this bit.) to take short piece of 54mm copper pipe (Short for Whiskey but still got to get ideas on how long or short this should be.) then 54mm to 15mm reducer with a 15mm 'T' piece at the top with a cap on one side to take the thermometer probe, other-side a 15mm 45' bend for the Lyne Arm.
For the Lyne Arm, a length of 15mm copper pipe from the 45' bend to go to the alcoholic beverage collecting vessel. This pipe will have the condenser around it.
To make a simple condenser to start like George showed in one of his videos, a length of 28mm copper pipe with a 28mm to 16mm reducer at each end, also with a 28mm T at each end for connection to water supply (Will need additional reducers to reduce it to the size of the water pipe). This assembly to slide over and be soldered to the 15mm outlet pipe.
I have a small 12v submersible pump from another project for circulating cooling water through the condenser from a cooler box so I can work in the garage away from water source.
Managed to get an STC1000 thermostat which is rated at 16A from a local aquarium shop to control heating of the urn.
A lot of the ideas from Georges videos. I need to binge watch them all some time. he has so many good ideas and information.
From what I have learned that should give a basic starter still. Stainless Braai (barbecue) grid to keep things like strainer bag etc from burning on the element may be required from my research.
All the brew shops currently out of hydrometers, and yeast, and airtraps and... so this is a long term project but hope to start my first batch of Corn Flakes Whiskey in the next month or two. Hope this has given you a few ideas.
George, any comments on this idea. Anything that might not fly or could be dangerous?
Sorry for the long reply.
@@markal3023 No, It's cool. I am going to copy and paste it into a word document so I can go over what you said and give it some thought. (Also, most times I can't find a comment thread later.)
You can weld stainless to copper TIG welder you have to use silicon bronze. I have tried it it works all right if you want to weld copper to copper using a TIG welder you use Romex copper ground wire makes good welds
Absolutely. It is the skill of weld control that I need to work on. Thanks
You are a character George.. Keep it up.. You relate well to folk... By the way, did I mention the trip to New Orleans? ;-)
Yeah, that was a real treat for me.
Glad you enjoy the channel.
Happy distilling
George
Just curious. You mentioned trying a lot of different welding and soldering techniques. I don't have access to welding equipment so I've used a lot of JB Weld on things. Could that have worked possibly or would there be a danger of leaching a chemical into your product? Great video and I'm holding my breath waiting for the next installment!
Not sure. If I were you I'd give it try. You never know. I've never used JB weld. Heard a lot about it though. I am guessing that it wold be okay.
This episode brought to you by the LA tourist bureau.
Hello George, how did you secure the lid latch’s to the side of the pot?
Stainless steel nuts and bolts.
You clam and the best
I wonder if they'll ever make a newer Orleans.
George were did you pick up the washer and nut for the prob ? ?
Local hardware store. It was am M-6 nut and washer. Damn expensive though they were a $1.40 each but well worth it. I'm just glad I only needed 1 or each.
Ah, the fine art of home distilling! Makes for a great sport for the home tinkerer! Great video George, keep them coming.
I'm still no where near as skilled as you are. I really enjoyed our conversation last week.
Keep at it.
George
I have a question unrelated to the video. My mash is starting to have a slight eggy smell. Is that normal or do I have a problem such as stray yeast the found it's way in? My mash is corn meal, table sugar, yeast energizer and D.A.D.Y.
This happens when the temperature gets a little high. Smells like 2 asses as I always say.
Don't worry, it is still good to run.
George
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Very good to know much appreciated. Also awesome channel. I like to take a more scientific approach to things and you guys have allowed me to do that.
you don't need a gasket like for the lid if you are permanently attaching something. just squirt some food safe silicone then screw it down
You must of met all Canadians that's why the people were so nice 😉
george, where did you get the lid clamps you put on the pot
Amazon.
thank you very much, finaly found the clamp .some things are hard to find on Amazon. just have to get the name right
Looking good, looking forward to seeing how it goes with th he peach schnapps!
Me too. I am excited.
J-B weld you can buy it at Canadian Tire
I think your going to make some blue moonshine, that enamel pot would scare me to death. I can't wait to see what happens.
Mr George id be willing to drive from Oklahoma with my torches and welders and if give you a free all day lesson on how to weld braze and solder just to enjoy your company....THAT IS IF YOUR STILL OK WERE ALL KINDA WORRIED ABOUT YOU
Ive been in the French corner. It wasn't clean. People were nice though
So happy you loved NOLA!! I'm from there but live about 40 minutes out now. I'm a nature photographer and I shoot under "Naturally Louisiana" and would love for you to check me out on FB!! I was a wine maker and am presently a distillation expert (for 42 years) in the chemical industry. I am interested in distilling spirits as I get closer to retirement!! Thanks for the videos!!
And people make fun of me becouse of all my "stuff". I love your videos and the help you have given me on my PID. Somehow I feel we are brothers from different mothers. Keep on fabricating!
Hey George quick question, you know the sight glass from Milehigh you know that soft white pouch the glass came in? After 2 years i recently just found that little pouch and was wondering if thatd work to stuff juniper berries or other ingredients in the sightglass as like a mini muslin bag? I found it and put 2 and 2 together im just not %100 sure if thatd be a viable alternative to a sock in the still column.
Hmmm. Could be a good use for a small cloth bag.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing George, you are my Oprah. Ill have to test it out
George quick question on pid k type probes mount location. I have a still do you put the probe in the Cap of the still or in the top of a thumper?
Cap of the still for a pot still, top of the thumper if you are using that. It is totally up to you at that point.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing thank you
Mate come to Australia
I am planning a trip next year. We visited a few years ago and need to come back. Simply awesome trip.
Sir please please please all videos in Hindi translation
George come see me at lake of the ozarks state park. mo.
Sounds possible. I haven't been there yet.
You needed liquid flux
That stuff would be good to put in the lawnmower but I would be scared to drink any of it.
okay
I once used one of those blue enamel pots to clean some copper parts with some citric acid and water solution and it washed away the blue enamel coating and turned the water blue colored so imagine what alcohol would do. Maybe if you only put low wines less than 20% alcohol in there, but I don't think you could fill it up with 40 or 50 % double run stuff in that pot without having problems.
Just curious, and I’m no scientist, lol. Is there any chance the enamel paint of that pot to possibly wear away or leach away from the spirits and acids from the liquids?
Well, I would guess that is possible after a while but this is a throw together still of items I had laying around. I am sure it will serve the purpose before it degrades at which point I can easily make another one.
This is not a high speed still. I am demonstrating that even stuff laying around can offer an inexpensive alternative to the expensive models. Kind of a try it first to see if you like it before you invest.
Barley and Hops Brewing good point! I do love the color of that pot! 😊
Steel compression fitting? Regular steel has lead in it = lead crystals leaching into your product XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
1st quart 80 proof and drop to 0 proof by the 3rd quart . Too much heat ,lost and pi---d
How proff it be
uummmmmm.... that copper is soft because it's a composite of copper and LEAD! jesus!
This is an important claim. We need the composition data. I've repaired ice-makers with fairly malleable copper tubing which claimed it could be used for potable water...
@@hubrisnaut a much more palatable way to make the point. kudos.
I freak out when I see copper being used for purposes other than what it was originally designed for
@@seabass8648 Well, You are right. If it wasn't intended for potable water (food grade), it could have something other than copper in it. I never gave it any thought until you mentioned it. (Thank You) I assumed it was ok because everyone does it, which is foolish and lazy...
He hasn't even tasted the distillate yet & he's repeated new Orleans story 3 times.
Dude you ok there?
That roll of soft annealed copper will work harden the first time you try and bend it. To soften it again, just heat it up cherry red hot and either let it cool naturally or quench it in water, and it will be soft again! Jimmy.
WOW! I didn't know that.
I forsee you losing a lot of good steam using this as you plan to, the copper pipe needs to face the source of your gravity, doesn't it?
Please distill some water to test and clean this rig before you put the M*A*S*H in it. ;)
Thanks
I'll give it a dry run with water to test it
Done with you Called three times. No return. Found advise elsewhere George. You have given good advise but you don’t answer and do not call back. Thanks anyway
I am sorry to see you leave but that's okay. I have not missed a call that I did not return within the last week so I am not sure who you are calling.