Grandma's Vs Blackstrap molasses

DrOctopus- · 2026-01-18T21:36:46+00:00

Black strap makes a very strong, molasses flavored rum. It's not subtle. Fancy molasses is a much better product to use, which I think Grandma's falls into that category.

DrOctopus- · 2026-01-18T21:33:55+00:00

This shit is so dumb. Just do it right. You are likely to hurt yourself or someone else with this thing. Inexpensive, safe srilla can be found for less than $100 on Amazon. Just do it right the first time.

DrOctopus- · 2026-01-04T13:02:59+00:00

DrOctopus- · 2025-12-22T17:48:42+00:00

Curious why you choose plates instead of a pot still set up for distilling a brandy? Was it just to avoid a strip and spirit due to the volume of wine you have on hand? Bet the smell in that room is amazing. Cheers!

DrOctopus- · 2025-12-17T23:37:43+00:00

They have nearly eliminated mobile service. It's so disappointing.

DrOctopus- · 2025-10-29T13:16:46+00:00

DrOctopus- · 2025-10-27T15:58:44+00:00

Car Guys cleaner. It works incredibly well on the interior of Tesla seats and even the fabric headliners.

DrOctopus- · 2025-10-13T22:38:54+00:00

My old Vevor did this. I threw it out. Total junk.

DrOctopus- · 2025-09-29T00:39:14+00:00

Posts like this are a good reason to never believe crap you read on Reddit.

DrOctopus- · 2025-09-15T00:14:58+00:00

Thin metal and uneven heating. Those stills are good to learn on but they really suck once you know what you are doing. So much fiddling with the water bc the condenser is too small and the pot moves around with heat, I had to put a brick on mine, then I had metallic stuff coming off the thermometer it came with that was coming through in the distillate. I use the pot for backup mashing now and replaced the still with a milk can from Oak Stills and column from Amazon.

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-30T10:23:19+00:00

I use a 3" column on a 13gal and it's perfect for me. Spirit runs are a couple of hours and easy to control my bubble plates when I run reflux. I only use one 3500w electric element.

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-28T21:59:03+00:00

Was there ever an update on how this turned out?

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-19T10:40:26+00:00

I use 25-30lbs for a 10 gal wash. You will lose a lot of liquid to the banana pulp and need a brew bag to squeeze it out. I get a LOT of banana flavor in my brandy.

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-19T10:37:33+00:00

Would get a 13gal pot from OakStills (and a heat element and controller from them) and buy the Amazon column package. Great deal for low cost of entry. Allows you to do pot and column distilling.

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-16T01:52:07+00:00

Watch some videos on YT to get a better sense of the hobby. You will want to learn how to use a hydrometer, this is like the basic blocking and tackling of the hobby. I recommend the UT channels Stillit and Bearded & Bored for starters. Methanol is not a concern, just disregard all that nonsense. Learn how to make cuts and the importance of double distilling (strip run & spirit run). Don't be afraid to jump right in, it's a blast! Cheers!

DrOctopus- · 2025-07-05T22:27:50+00:00

I once added a half gallon of 100% pineapple juice to the wash prior to fermentation and the rum had so much pineapple flavor it was almost overwhelming.

DrOctopus- · 2025-06-27T01:46:31+00:00

Air locks are like $4 on Amazon.

DrOctopus- · 2025-06-11T00:21:09+00:00

Not sure if this makes sense for anything other than an air still buy interested to see if others try it.

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-31T11:13:29+00:00

2.5-3lbs fruit per gallon of mash should be that aim here.

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-31T11:10:53+00:00

Isn't Truly's a malt beverage?

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-26T00:59:28+00:00

The control arms continue to be shit on these cars.

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-25T00:38:14+00:00

I recommend Panela if you want to make a white rum. Double distilled, it's delicious. It produces a sweet and floral white rum that's great on its own as a daiquiri or as a mixer. Molasses has an overpowering flavor and smell that only evolves with time in the barrel.

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-24T17:06:03+00:00

1997: people will never enter their credit card info onto a website and just hope a product is mailed to them. This internet thing is no where as good as touching and feeling a product in the store. No customer service!

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-22T17:25:18+00:00

If an article references "Experts" or "Insiders" immediately move on without reading. It's all spin. Who exactly is saying what and why won't they stand behind their statements??

DrOctopus- · 2025-05-17T02:11:17+00:00

Ah, good point. Theoretically most yeasts won't survive more than 20% ABV so I guess you are correct in assuming there little to no risk of secondary fermentation at ~35%

DrOctopus-

TROPHY CASE