Author Archives: DIY Distilling

What is Proof (Alcohol) – Proof vs. Percent Explained!

As someone who enjoys a good drink from time to time, I’ve always been curious about the term “proof” when it comes to measuring the alcohol content of various spirits. What does it mean? Why is it used instead of a straightforward percentage? In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the history{…}

Grainfather Brewing System – Review (All Models Compared)

Home brewers are always bombarded with the next, best brewing unit.  Just when you think you’ve found your go-to brewing system, you’re presented with one that promises you all the features and functions to ease your load during brew day, without compromising quality.  One of those systems is the Grainfather.  Grainfather is an all-in-one brewing{…}

What Is A Cooling Management Still? (And How Do They Work?)

A cooling management still is 1 of 3 different methods for the control of reflux within a distillation column. These include cooling management (CM), liquid management (LM), and vapor management (VM). In this article, we’re going to explain how they work and if they are the best topology for your distilling needs What is a cooling management still? A cooling{…}

Still Spirits Turbo Air Still Review (Is It Any Good?)

The Turbo Air Still by Still Spirits is an easy way for beginners to start making your own spirits at home. It’s simple to learn and operate and has no cooling water which makes it easy for anyone to run on their kitchen countertop. You can create many spirits with little knowledge or effort using{…}

How Long Is Gin Aged For (It’s Not What You Think)

Gin is a distilled spirit where botanicals are added to a neutral base sprit (think vodka) and then redistilled to create the final drink. Most of us are familiar with the taste, but aren’t as well versed in the manufacturing process, so how long is gin normally aged for? Unlike whiskey, rum, and tequila, gin{…}

Can You Distill Wine? (Answered!)

Wine is a fermented drink that’s been around for over 8000 years. It’s made by pressing grapes to get their juice and natural sugars, then fermenting it with either wild or cultivated yeast to turn these sugars into alcohol. As distillers, we are fascinated by the magic that happens when you take something like wine{…}

Batch Vs. Continuous Distillation (Explained!)

Distillation is one of the most useful processes in chemistry. It can separate mixtures into their components, concentrating a product from what was once a reaction mixture. In this post, we’ll be looking at the difference between batch distillation and continuous distillation. What Is Distillation? Distillation is the process of separating parts of a (liquid){…}

How To Use Turbo Yeast (Step by Step)

Turbo yeast has made fermenting a high-ABV wash fast and easy. It works by using high alcohol tolerant strains of yeast and a concoction of potent yeast nutrients. These sachets can be incredibly efficient, but also lead to producing some nasty flavors and overall a poor quality product. In this article, we’ll explain how to{…}