Some Like it Hot!!!

[Thordaddy]

I can't eat peppers in any form, a trip to Popeye's sets the GVH off back in the day though I loved hot schtuff, IS that back on track enuff fer ya,?sending you pics from Frisco CO once the sun gets up figure 8 or more inches last night ( oh I guess I should specify that's snow)

 

[RhodyRams]

Yeah - the Chinese red pepper seems to be all pulp. I just bought a one pound package at the local Asian food market to try it. The Jolokia I get from an importer through my food purveyor. It's plenty hot.

A little update. The extract made with the Chinese red pepper is now down to about a tenth of its original volume and is getting quite hot. Still only about half as hot as the Jolokia but definitely getting there. I'm looking into methods to recapture the alcohol so I can re-use it. No sense in just letting it evaporate away. Besides, if I can recapture it, it should be safer than having alcohol vapors in the same room as about 15 pilot lights and a bunch of burners.

It's funny because some of the best articles on how to do some of this are on how to make Honey Oil. So I suppose if I can capture Capsaicin, I can do that as well.

I would think you can capture the alcohol the same way the moonshiners do. Capture the vapors and run them thru a "worm"

 

[RamFan503]

I would think you can capture the alcohol the same way the moonshiners do. Capture the vapors and run them thru a "worm"

I was looking at something like that. I have a small wert chiller from my home brew days (essentially a long 1/4" copper coil) that I think I can use with almost no modification. I'm trying to figure out what to use as a glass "still" that I can put in a hot water bath like a double boiler. I want to use glass for ease of dealing with the pepper oil (extract) as it thickens.

 

[RhodyRams]

I was looking at something like that. I have a small wert chiller from my home brew days (essentially a long 1/4" copper coil) that I think I can use with almost no modification. I'm trying to figure out what to use as a glass "still" that I can put in a hot water bath like a double boiler. I want to use glass for ease of dealing with the pepper oil (extract) as it thickens.

'


ok Dr. Nefario LOL

 

[Dagonet]

Yeah - the Chinese red pepper seems to be all pulp. I just bought a one pound package at the local Asian food market to try it. The Jolokia I get from an importer through my food purveyor. It's plenty hot.

A little update. The extract made with the Chinese red pepper is now down to about a tenth of its original volume and is getting quite hot. Still only about half as hot as the Jolokia but definitely getting there. I'm looking into methods to recapture the alcohol so I can re-use it. No sense in just letting it evaporate away. Besides, if I can recapture it, it should be safer than having alcohol vapors in the same room as about 15 pilot lights and a bunch of burners.

It's funny because some of the best articles on how to do some of this are on how to make Honey Oil. So I suppose if I can capture Capsaicin, I can do that as well.

I don't know why I didn't think of this before.. I've been grinding this past week and doing so tonight. I could be wrong here, but I'm thinking the folks that did the Chinese red pepper didn't screen it? That would leave much pulp (what I call flakes, seeds and pulp) in it.

Also, I am really not familiar at all with Chinese red peppers. What are they on the Scoville scale? Just remember your Ghosts, depending on the hybrid, are from 1 to 3 on the Scoville scale. If you're wanting to reduce costs, you might want to try something like a Caribbean Red, or a regular Scorpion Red? Like I said, I'm not expert, but just going by my experience, especially with the 2 peppers above.

Glad to hear it's getting better though. Keep us updated.

 

[Dagonet]

Yeah - @Dagonet I'd guess you might have a decent market for your peppers right here if they pan out.

That's cool and appreciated @RamFan503 . I would send you samples first of course. However, I'm growing for a website, ebay, facebook, and etc. I plan on selling some fresh. It'll probably take me a few years to reach the wicked tickle stage in business, but I was in business for 16 years before. Not pepper business, but just saying I understand nothing happens overnight.

Plus, I have no intentions of making any sauces. Hell, raising these things, dehydrating, grinding for making powder and flakes, and pickling take too much time the way it is. I wish I could sell more of my pickled peppers across the US, but weight is prolly prohibited.

Another issue I have is finding proper seeds and plants. I was burned last year (no pun intended). The legitimate sources I have found have limits on what one can buy. That said I have some pure Carolina Reapers from last year I saved for seeds. We shall see.

 

[Dagonet]

So do they grow like perennials there? That is just wild to think about here. We are lucky to get one picking and generally those are like one or two real decent peppers per plant. Obviously not pepper country around here.

I'm guessing they may grow like perennials there. I have yet to try it, but read an article on Caribbean Reds on how to keep them for 3 years if you live in a frost/winter zone. Before the first frost, get all the peppers off, then cut the plant back to like 8 inches above the ground, then mulch the crap out of it. I can dig up article again if you wish.

As far as yields I get.. Hungarians I get 5 to 7 harvests a year.. Hell, even when I buy my plants they usually have small peppers on them. Super Chili's, good god I get 8 to 10. Most other hot peppers I get 3 to 5. My Carolina's were slow to develop this year. Only one harvest. But I got them late, hence why I saved seeds.

The harvest depends on many variables. I don't water mine and just let mother nature do it. It's a waste to use treated water on any plants. Would you pour bleach and fluoride on your plants? Most it will do around here is keep them alive. I'm working on a rain barrel system this year. I use mule manure in my soil. However, it's better to feed a pepper plant when it starts putting on fruit. These are just 2 examples. You can see there are many variables on how a plant can produce.

Again, I'm no expert, and appreciate any knowledge passed on here.

 

[fearsomefour]

I recently graduated to adding a little bit, a very little bit, of tabasco to some potatoes.
Haha, not a spicy food guy....I am reading this thread like a guy driving by a pile up on the freeway.
It scares me....but I can't look away....

 

[RamFan503]

I'm guessing they may grow like perennials there. I have yet to try it, but read an article on Caribbean Reds on how to keep them for 3 years if you live in a frost/winter zone. Before the first frost, get all the peppers off, then cut the plant back to like 8 inches above the ground, then mulch the crap out of it. I can dig up article again if you wish.

As far as yields I get.. Hungarians I get 5 to 7 harvests a year.. Hell, even when I buy my plants they usually have small peppers on them. Super Chili's, good god I get 8 to 10. Most other hot peppers I get 3 to 5. My Carolina's were slow to develop this year. Only one harvest. But I got them late, hence why I saved seeds.

The harvest depends on many variables. I don't water mine and just let mother nature do it. It's a waste to use treated water on any plants. Would you pour bleach and fluoride on your plants? Most it will do around here is keep them alive. I'm working on a rain barrel system this year. I use mule manure in my soil. However, it's better to feed a pepper plant when it starts putting on fruit. These are just 2 examples. You can see there are many variables on how a plant can produce.

Again, I'm no expert, and appreciate any knowledge passed on here.

Cool stuff there Dag. I wonder if I made some small plastic quanset (sp?) huts if I could get them to work. And mule manure? Do you do a lot of pack hunting? Give me a mule over a horse any day for that.

 

[Rabid Ram]

Cool stuff there Dag. I wonder if I made some small plastic quanset (sp?) huts if I could get them to work. And mule manure? Do you do a lot of pack hunting? Give me a mule over a horse any day for that.[/QUOTE

Lots of mules here in southern Illinois. We have a big coyote population and mules kick the bejesus out of coyotes lol

 

[RhodyRams]

Cool stuff there Dag. I wonder if I made some small plastic quanset (sp?) huts if I could get them to work. And mule manure? Do you do a lot of pack hunting? Give me a mule over a horse any day for that.

you were close buddy...Quonset ..... made right here in North Kingstown, RI !!!

pictured below is how I have mine set up from mid March until about December

 

[LesBaker]

you were close buddy...Quonset ..... made right here in North Kingstown, RI !!!

pictured below is how I have mine set up from mid March until about December

View attachment 5094

Thats yours?

 

[RhodyRams]

Thats yours?

no... but used this pic as a "model"

 

[Dagonet]

Cool stuff there Dag. I wonder if I made some small plastic quanset (sp?) huts if I could get them to work. And mule manure? Do you do a lot of pack hunting? Give me a mule over a horse any day for that.

Damn I was posting to this but I guess I didn't finish and closed out. I was all over the place that evening. Sorry for the delay is what I mean.

Yeah they should work. I was thinking of trying some but wasn't sure. I just might after seeing Rhody's plan/image. I'm not much of a carpenter though. I would bet they would work good in your area though. Damn there goes my market.. lol One reason I'm reluctant to try them and even raised beds is due to the wood in the ground attracting termites. The Mrs. bought this house before we got together and had termite problems. No need to attract the little boogers more.

No pack hunting here in S. IL . At least not yet.. lol A buddy of mine raises mules for his own use and to trade/sell. He rides them every weekend and even goes on poker runs. He has a cabin and land down around Shawnee and goes there early Spring and uses them to mushroom hunt too. I need to get me one, but can't in the little village I live in. I could get to many secluded fishing holes with one.

That said, I am allowed to raise rabbits.. That's supposed to be a much better manure than anything. Plus, I can butcher and BBQ them. Plenty of auctions around here to buy the babies cheap, just have to get cages built.

I do need to converse with you on making beer sometime.

 

[RamFan503]

Damn I was posting to this but I guess I didn't finish and closed out. I was all over the place that evening. Sorry for the delay is what I mean.

Yeah they should work. I was thinking of trying some but wasn't sure. I just might after seeing Rhody's plan/image. I'm not much of a carpenter though. I would bet they would work good in your area though. Damn there goes my market.. lol One reason I'm reluctant to try them and even raised beds is due to the wood in the ground attracting termites. The Mrs. bought this house before we got together and had termite problems. No need to attract the little boogers more.

No pack hunting here in S. IL . At least not yet.. lol A buddy of mine raises mules for his own use and to trade/sell. He rides them every weekend and even goes on poker runs. He has a cabin and land down around Shawnee and goes there early Spring and uses them to mushroom hunt too. I need to get me one, but can't in the little village I live in. I could get to many secluded fishing holes with one.

That said, I am allowed to raise rabbits.. That's supposed to be a much better manure than anything. Plus, I can butcher and BBQ them. Plenty of auctions around here to buy the babies cheap, just have to get cages built.

I do need to converse with you on making beer sometime.

Make sure the floor of your rabbit cages aren't just the ground. Them suckers dig like nobody's business.

As far as termites go, it takes many years before they will invade cedar or redwood. More expensive but it is chemical free and lasts for a long time. The other alternative I've seen a lot of people use is brick of course but I've always preferred cedar and it is easy to work with.

 

[Dagonet]

Make sure the floor of your rabbit cages aren't just the ground. Them suckers dig like nobody's business.

As far as termites go, it takes many years before they will invade cedar or redwood. More expensive but it is chemical free and lasts for a long time. The other alternative I've seen a lot of people use is brick of course but I've always preferred cedar and it is easy to work with.

Much appreciated on the wood.. I knew I could do treated lumber, but no way was I going to put that in my soil. We have cedar around here. On the rabbits my dad raised when I was little. We had cages above ground so you're correct. I have quite a bit of learning to do on them though. Mrs. says she will help, but when it comes time to butcher.... lol She won't want to. She gets attached god bless her. Time will tell man..

How did your Chinese red peppers turn out? Final verdict?