by Robinelle » Sunday Dec 26, 2004 11:26 am
Hi
I did it for a while, but ended up with brewing beer. Beer is easier and more satisfying.
Cost:
Yep about $300 to set up if you buy off the shelf. Ingenious people could set up for nothing or max $50.
If you are happy with just straight spirit (read Vodka) here is the cost:
Turbo Yeast $12 last time I bought it, churns out about 20% in straght sugar in about 48 hours.
6 or 8? kilos of home brand sugar $6 (can't remember but know it was $6)
8 hours of gas on the stove $1?
Output:
14 bottles of 40% spirit at say retail value of $20 is total value of about $280, for $18 outlay plus cost of still. So somewhere between $1.50 and $2 a bottle full retail on all ingredients? Imagine how much a sugar refinery can make it for?
If you want fancy spirits (brandy, whisky, tia maria or thousands of others) your local beer shop has flavours to mix with vodka. These range from $6 to $12 and usually mix up 2 to 4 700ml bottles. So adds another $2 to the cost of each bottle, a real tragedy.
My favourite was soaking shredded Jim Beam Oak cask chip in the spirit for about 8 weeks, lovely. Didn't taste like JB, but a real nice Whiskey.
I believe it is legal to own a 5Ltr still for distilling water and or essential oils and I don't suggest you break the law.
Rob
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