Copper Pot Still

[TheRumelier]

In an effort to learn more about the business end of rum production I have just ordered a 16 litre copper pot still with double rectifiers, a condenser and electric heater. Now I just have to learn the basics of fermentation and distillation!! If anybody knows of some good sites or books or suggestions from personal experience I would be very happy to listen.
This is intended to be a fun project only. I think my biggest problem will be finding appropriate supplies on such a small island, so I may have to compromise a little. I do have a couple of spare barrels lying around if I do decide to make several batches, results will be the key to this.
On a side note, part of our old retail store is being turned into a wine club, where a limited membership will be able to turn grape juice in to wine. So I will have access to tanks etc. Maybe some distilled wine might be an option too!!
I will use this topic for updates. The still is due to arrive later this week.

[Edward Hamilton]

There is a home distillers group in Australia where there is a lot of discussion about distilling ethanol for whatever purpose use ethanol for besides drinking - distilling alcohol for consumption in Australia is illegal as it is in many other places.

Distilled wine sounds good, but as you know you can't make great rum out of second rate ingredients any more than you can make great brandy out of vinegar.

[Rum Runner]

Now I just have to learn the basics of fermentation and distillation!! If anybody knows of some good sites or books or suggestions from personal experience I would be very happy to listen.


The Home Distiller Forum (http://homedistiller.org/forum/index.php) is very active and full of information.

[Edward Hamilton]

Thanks Rum Runner, I was tired yesterday and couldn't type any more. They are a great bunch of people on that forum. It will take some serious self-restraint to keep from building a still after visiting the Home Distillers Forum.

[Rum Runner]

It will take some serious self-restraint to keep from building a still after visiting the Home Distillers Forum.

I've not been good in practicing self restraint in certain areas. This may explain my premature departure from Catechism class at an early age, but that's another story.

I've been a member over at the Home Distiller Forum for some time now and I agree, it's a great bunch. I have been slowly assembling things to allow further research into the alchemy of things fermented and distilled. My focus is to extract the essential oils of the locally produced sugar cane syrup called Guarapo.

Purely for research purposes...

[RonJames]

My focus is to extract the essential oils of the locally produced sugar cane syrup called Guarapo.

Purely for research purposes...

Rum runner I've always heard lamenting stories about PR's last Sugar cane harvest and how cane is no longer grown. Is there cane still grown on the island?

[TheRumelier]

Thanks guys, I have signed up for those sites. Now trying to soak up all the information and decide how to proceed. I have learnt a lot about the basics of distilling but need to learn a great deal more before the first batch. Molasses is $25 a gallon at the local food store, so need to find a cheaper source!!

[RonJames]

Maybe check for a brazilian internet site rumelier. You might be able to ship the amount you'd need and have it cheaper than the stuff at the store. Good luck. yay.gif

[Edward Hamilton]

You'll need about a gallon of molasses for a half gallon of ethanol at 50% abv. Getting molasses from Brazil is fine if you want to buy it by the 50 gallon drum and have a friend in the freight business. I'd look at raw sugar which may be cheaper and easier to ferment. Then you've got to decide what kind of yeast to use. Desal water isn't the best for distilling so you might want to start collecting water for your experimental process.

[TheRumelier]

Thanks guys, unfortunately desal water is my only option here, but I have a good supply source for that. The molasses will have to come from closer to home to make it economical. I will try the food store option while I am experimenting and when I feel more comfortable I will invest in the good stuff. At this rate it will be cheaper just to buy rum off the shelf, but far less fun and educational!!HMMR

[Edward Hamilton]

I'd plan on collecting some rain water and then distilling if it's been sitting around too long.

You might have better luck looking for sugar than molasses in the islands.

[Rum Runner]

I'd plan on collecting some rain water and then distilling if it's been sitting around too long.

You might have better luck looking for sugar than molasses in the islands.

I agree with Ed. Desalinized water is just not good and local sugar is not a bad choice to begin a run with. You can pony up and add some molasses to the wash to enhance the flavor.

Let the research continue!

[Rum Runner]

Rum runner I've always heard lamenting stories about PR's last Sugar cane harvest and how cane is no longer grown. Is there cane still grown on the island?


James as your better half knows you are right in that as an industry sugar cane is basically gone from Puerto Rico. However there are still some small plots and backyards that grow cane. There is at least one local here who grows it in his back yard and has a grinder to collect juice and then condense it into a light syrup. He sells it as a health food drink, but in quantity his prices are much more manageable.

[joergen]

In an effort to learn more about the business end of rum production I have just ordered a 16 litre copper pot still with double rectifiers, a condenser and electric heater. Now I just have to learn the basics of fermentation and distillation!!

That's really impressive and VERY ambitious Rumelier! Have fun on your rum making journey!

[gmarket]

good luck with your venture. we are looking into purchasing a still as well, but we're going to experiment with wine making first to see if we're capable! i look forward to hearing your results.

[trying2learn]

In an effort to learn more about the business end of rum production I have just ordered a 16 litre copper pot still with double rectifiers, a condenser and electric heater. Now I just have to learn the basics of fermentation and distillation!! If anybody knows of some good sites or books or suggestions from personal experience I would be very happy to listen.
This is intended to be a fun project only. I think my biggest problem will be finding appropriate supplies on such a small island, so I may have to compromise a little. I do have a couple of spare barrels lying around if I do decide to make several batches, results will be the key to this.
On a side note, part of our old retail store is being turned into a wine club, where a limited membership will be able to turn grape juice in to wine. So I will have access to tanks etc. Maybe some distilled wine might be an option too!!
I will use this topic for updates. The still is due to arrive later this week.

I got to ask, where did you find your pot still? I have been trying to find a place to buy one for some time.

Thanks!

[TheRumelier]

From these guys:- http://www.copper-alembic.com/index.php?lang=en

Good luck

[RonJames]

James as your better half knows you are right in that as an industry sugar cane is basically gone from Puerto Rico. However there are still some small plots and backyards that grow cane. There is at least one local here who grows it in his back yard and has a grinder to collect juice and then condense it into a light syrup. He sells it as a health food drink, but in quantity his prices are much more manageable.

thanks Rum Runner. I'll have keep my eyes out when Im down there again, maybe that isn't baby bamboo growing...g()fy I know I'd scoop up that sugar cane juice for health benefits.