jbdavenport1

Anyone used Liquor Quik essences for some of the more esoteric flavorings?  Just curious as to their taste and quality once you scale up.

Thanks in advance.

I guess we could add a diverter valve to send hot water to separate tank and use that for new mashes or cleaning. That's a good idea.

2 runs a day. won't do mash and runs on same days.

Folks, 

Need feedback on my cooling water set up.  Due to cost,  I want to use a water reservoir for cooling the distillate. On a 250 gallon still with a deplegmator, would a 500 gallon tank of water with a radiator and fan work well? Or...what size water tank would you recommend?

Anyone doing same?

Thanks in advance.

What is the benefit of adding glycerin to final product?  Is this consider as part of total dissolved solids?

All great feedback. C0mb9ning thought tracks, add ice to the extra water...so instead of 65cdegree water, now I’m in the 40s or 50s and need to use less for the same effect. Although, I’ll have to go look up whether the endothermic properties of water makes this a one to one exchange. 

We are going to be running jacketed 250 and 150 gallon stills. In lieu of a chiller, does anyone have experience crash cooling with ice? Any reason this wouldn’t be ideal? We reduce our initial water in the mash by the amount of ice we’ll add. 

Once we’ve added malt or amylase and thinned the mash, adding ice to get us to pitching temp as quickly as possible.

Thoughts?

Try Affordable Distilling Equipment.

We are going to recirculate water (to conserve) as our cooling water. How do you keep yours from going bad, without damaging water pumps?

Could you ass citric acid or bleach? Any other thoughts?

We're confined by tenants on either side and the main road. If can't use self-storage, will likely do shipping containers off-site in secured lot.

We will run out of storage space relatively quickly for storing barrels. Does anyone know whether a elf storage facility would be allowed as bonded space for barrel storage?

Thanks in advance.

We visited Bowman's distillery in Virginia. They store vertically. They said they actually have less loss to angel's she because all the staves stay hydrated. Whereas on their sides, staves on the top tend to dry and create gaps.

The hardest part for us has been making realistic financial assumptions. I am a PhD in finance...but man...finding sales data for micro-distillers is non-existent. So we have had to back into all kinds of SWAGS (super wild ass guesses). 

I mean everything drives off your assumed production levels which will be driven by demand.

Anyone know who makes the metal labels for Woodinville reserve or Russell’s Reserve. Or do you know of a company that makes metal emblems or labels?

http://xpressfill-com.3dcartstores.com/Volumetric-High-Proof-Spirits-4-Spout-Bottle-Filler--XF460HP_p_28.html

We will be operating a four plate column still. How many of you are doing single runs from mash to final product? If so, where do you make your cuts on the back end for tails? 

Any recommendations on cartridge filtration...on a shoestring budget. 

Anyone use plate and frame filters for their products? If so, any recommendations?

Anyone use plate and frame filters for their products? If so, any recommendations?

Just getting ready to put together our TTB DSP application. I have read many of your horror stories on how long it takes to get the operating permit. I know there are several firms that assist folks like me on crafting and submitting the application.

Has anyone used a service like this? Is it worth the money? We're talking $2500 to $3000. But if they can save months of downtime while I'm still having to pay a lease....might be worth it.

How daunting is the whole application process?

Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hambone:

Where are you located?

It makes great fertilizer/soil amender. See if local farmer,landscaping co., or even the county want it as a liquid fertilizer.

Thanks blue star. 

Anyone have experience with the quality of Barrel Mill's barrels?

Didn't know where else to put this. Our physical distillery space is very limited. Does anyone have any experience with whether or not the TTB will let you store aging barrels in a self-storage facility?

I know that question is out there but couldn't decipher it elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for all the feedback. The IBC totes will likely be our bridge vessel and we'll add real fermenters as budget allows.