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Airstill for creating vapor-infused gins
I’m not sure if this should go here, or in the pot still sub-forum…mods, please move as appropriate.I’ve been exploring gins and related botanical products for a while, and recently have switched my system from a larger setup to a 1 gallon “air still” electric still. I still use my large column still to make clean grain alcohol, but then macerate and distill smaller batches of gin using the airstill. I’ve come to enjoy this approach as it lets me explore more recipes, plus I don’t waste much (alcohol or time) if I muck up.I’d like to try adding ingredients into the vapor path, while still sticking with the small-format still. I’ve tried to make some elevated wire baskets to this end, without much success. Has anyone had success “converting” a conventional airstill to do vapour-path? Or do I simply need to bite the bullet and buy a new system?Brewer for decades, dabbler in distilling trying to get better at the craft.
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6 Replies
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Try slowing it down. My Carter Head gins are run over about six hours, the Bombay distillery takes even longer.
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Still spirits make a gin basket to fit their air still. Prices here average around $24 NZD. One might fit your one. They look to all be pretty similar just with a different brand name.
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That basket can also be used to put copper saddles/pipe pieces to get some copper in the vapor path (if it’s not already packed with botanicals).A buddy of mine was renting a house down in Key West this past winter & became friends with the owner of a nearby distillery. That gentlemen puts his citrus botanicals in the vapor path, but the “herby” stuff is macerated. My buddy & my first homemade gin was Odin’s recipe. Turned out great, and it’s a great starting spot to goof around with other ingredients. One of his favorites is putting some honey in the boiler just before redistilling. I recently made some anise liquor inspired by one of Jesse’s StillIt vids. Came out great!There are two times of year: FOOTBALL SEASON and… Waiting For Football Season
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Like SW_Shiner said, Still Spirits does do a basket attachment for their air still – do you have one of those, or one of the other ones you can find online like VEVOR? I do wonder if you’d maybe be able to suspend a stainless steel tea strainer in there.GNU Terry Pratchett”Tʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀʟᴄᴏʜᴏʟ, Aʟʙᴇʀᴛ.””Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.”
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If you can solder, it’s very simple to put a little copper hook under the riser, then you can hang a mesh ball on it with your bots in. I did this for my stock pot gin still and it worked a treat, although I don’t really use it.Here you go, second page of the thread maybe.viewtopic.php?t=89444Edited to add link.Make Booze, not War!
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I use my air still generally for small batch gin.I made my own basket. Twice the size from copper mesh and copper wire, great for citrus peels and whatever.Works great.
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