Blooztune

I know this had been discussed before and I have read through those previous threads, but I'm still on the fence on which 40x40 plate and frame filter sheet I should use on a white rum for chill filtering. Some folks say 5microns is small enough. However, there's mention in this forum of hazing after this level of filtering. Pall corporation recommends their K100 IR Seitz Depth Filter (http://www.pall.com/main/food-and-beverage/product.page?id=53732) for rum chill filtering. This is described in GW Kwent's site as 1 - 4 micron. I'm juggling the need to avoid hazing, but without stripping too much flavor. What are you folks using (if chill filtering at all)? Also, Would that 1-4 micron sheet be described as a 1 micron filtering or a 4 micron filtering....or am I way off base? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Thanks. Yes, I just found a couple on probrewer. I'll look at shelco before I pull the trigger.

I'm looking at buying a used plate and frame filter (40 x 40) and was wondering if their are any pitfalls with buying this type of equipment? Things to look out for? Thanks! Steve

Thanks Bob. This is Steve down in Plymouth. We actually just got our DSP about 4 hours ago. Yay! So I guess I can join the new guild, huh? I've started gathering the paperwork, but didn't start the application process officially with the ABCC because the application required the DSP. I'll be hitting it hard on Tuesday though. I agree, Its probably better to keep on the straight and narrow and not piss off anybody at the ABCC. We're just so anxious to get started......

Just got my approval! Submitted 9/18/2012, approval 1/18/2013. 4 months. Unfortunately you can't submit paperwork in Massachusetts until you get your DSP, so now its time for fun with the state. I hope its a considerably shorter amount of time.

We are a startup looking for an inexpensive and reliable front and back labeler. The Racer RLRZ and Primera 362 are both about $1200. The RLRZ is made in New Mexico and the owner is super nice and helpful and claims very high reliability (ie. not one return in 14 years and thousands of printers). I've also seen positive comments on another thread. The Primera 362 seems easier to use, more automated and has a faster bottle rate (20/min vs 10-15/min). However, I'm concerned about reliability (convenience = more parts to break). Doeas anyone have experience using the Primera?

I'm definitely getting the state license, but was hoping to start distilling during that process. That "visit" must have been interesting ;-)

I hope I'm getting close to getting my DSP. Then its fun with the state ;-) It just occured to me that we might be able to develop product (use the still) but not sell product until we get through the state process (we're in Massachusetts). This assumes that the state permit is for the sale and distribution of product, not necessarily the making of it. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks, Steve

I actually called about 4 weeks ago and was told it was just about done. It was a pleasant exchage and a lot of action was going on, then nothing. I've called again and emailed twice with no response. My specialist is on vacation this week, so I wont have any more info until next week sometime.....I hope.

Wow. I don't get it. I submitted mid September, had to address a bond issue (one week delay), clear up some drawings and name a coupe of fermenters (this all occured weeks ago) and here I sit at day 100 still waiting. I noticed that the average approval times have raised drastically to 86 for online and 98 for paper, so something must be up. The holidays don't help either, I guess. I do feel for the TTB agents, I know they're slammed and they're really nice folks, but its hard to be paying rent and looking at a cold, idle Still wrapped up in a tarp.

I've been searching for discussions on recipes and aging for Black Rum (ie. Goslings), but have come up with nothing so far. I have heard that it requires fruit juices (?) and considerable aging, but that's all I've gotten so far. Anybody have any information on this subject or can point me to any literature? Thanks! Steve

Thanks for replies folks. What a fruitful first post! I'm not afraid to DIY, which seems like that's mostly the answer for now. I just didn't want to re-invent a wheel. As far as a source, I'm having a wash tube chiller (as well as a still) made by Jesse at Trident Welding (http://tridentwelding.com). He's an awesome guy and, in my opinion, very reasonable. I haven't taken delivery yet, but I visited his shop before we had the still built and I've seen his work in person. Its top-notch. If you contact him, please tell him Steve from Massachusetts sent you. JohninWV, so do you run the distillate from the tank to the chiller and back to bring the whole thing down to temp or do you run from the tank through the chiller to the filter and out? And are you getting below 30F?

Hi, I'm trying to size and source a system to cold filter rum (vodka, gin, etc.) before bottling. How are folks getting their product to < 32F for filtering? What kind/size of plate filter systems are you using? Any advice or anecdotal info would be greatly appreciated. I'll be working with about 200 Gallons at a time. Thanks, Steve