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Author Topic: Home Distillation  (Read 7972 times)

Offline 1vertical

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Home Distillation
« on: February 07, 2010, 01:12:05 pm »
Hey I was surfin today, and found this site...
http://homedistiller.org/forum/

I know it is illegal to distill alcohol.... and without talking politics,
I found this site to be of great interest and anyone concerned
with fuesels and stuff might learn a bit by some reading.... ;)

I know these guys are just making fuel for the family car!
« Last Edit: February 07, 2010, 01:22:43 pm by 1vertical »
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Offline euge

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2010, 11:38:45 am »
And they are just as obsessive as we are apparently. :o

I'd like to be able to make vodka or rum in small amounts.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

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Offline onthekeg

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2010, 08:28:00 pm »
been a member there for longer than on NB...  so Im tole..

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2010, 10:44:44 pm »
If ya had a certain tubular device attached to a chamber ...and ya got a lousy
infected batch of beer....you could do somethin besides dump it to the ocean...
 8)
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Offline onthekeg

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2010, 07:55:02 pm »
I know a guy that distilled some beer that was hit with the dreaded acetobactor.  I should ask him how that turned out.   ;)

Offline nicneufeld

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2010, 09:22:58 pm »
Problem with home distillation, even if legal, is that you have to either prefer the white unaged spirits (moonshine, gin, white rum, vodka) or be VERY VERY patient.  To be honest, a good bourbon is nice to just go out and buy instead of waiting 10 years hoping yours turns out OK.

That said...were it legal, I'd totally try it! 

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2010, 10:52:54 pm »
Nic,
There are ways to tint your white likker...some caramelized sugar perhaps...
Ageing it in small barrels increases wood / liquid contact...you could
take some acceptable shortcuts I am certain...  It is just the legal stumbling
block I keep coming up against
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

Offline euge

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2010, 11:15:12 pm »
Quote
It is just the legal stumbling
block I keep coming up against

Most likely not a concern unless one is bootlegging. Small-scale or personal use and who would even know?
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline dean

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2010, 05:09:48 am »
I've been giving it some serious thought as well lately.  I've dumped more beer in the last 6 months than ever, I used to force myself to drink at least a third of it but somehow I just can't anymore.   :D  I've seen TV adds for distillers and they showed how to make your own liquor On TV so I doubt its a big legal issue for personal consumption considering the small amount you'd be getting from it.  I can't remember the name brand but it was a countertop coffee pot size distiller that held about a gallon and produced about a half pint or so if I remember right?   

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2010, 09:00:44 am »
I know a guy that distilled some beer that was hit with the dreaded acetobactor.  I should ask him how that turned out.   ;)
I wonder if he managed to make a good "Save" on his labor?
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

Offline euge

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2010, 11:38:45 pm »
I'm sure these dudes do it for the love of it.  :D

If I were to try this a 20% ABV mash is probably a good starting point. There's Turbo Yeast available.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2010, 08:30:08 am »
I read on that forum turbo yeilds an inferior result....
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Offline euge

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2010, 11:03:17 am »
Yeah they would know I guess. Not sure how much one would get out of 5 gallons of 5% beer. Maybe a quart?
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline 1vertical

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2010, 11:25:09 am »
simple math....5 gal X  .05  = .25 gallon           
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Offline beerocd

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Re: Home Distillation
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2010, 11:46:21 am »
simple math....5 gal X  .05  = .25 gallon           

Isn't that straight though? As in 100%, 200 proof? Dilute it down to drinking strength, now you're almost 2/3 gallon.
Of course you can't still that pure anyway. High 90's on a reflux column - so let's call it a half gallon at drinking strength.
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