so, i can say i'm quite satisfied with the result. from drinking strength, i estimate ABV around 60%. i have a densimeter but dont have a suitable long thin container so i cant measure abv at the moment. it smells very sharp, don't know if because of abv or something else. quite drinkable after mixed with fruit or tomato juice.
i distilled a 10 days old sugar and grape molasses fermente. although did slow down, it was still bubbling. and the taste of it was still sweet so i guess i was a bit early.
btw, in a turkish chemical forum, an experienced distiller guy wrote that, for distillation it's best to cut fermentation at 3rd or 4th day. sounds very wasteful at first glance. unless of course if most of fermentation is done at first 3-4 days. although dont think so considering bubbles. what do you think? (maybe better ask this in another thread)
anyway, here are some details and photos:
carboard and ptfe band to make the gasket. i will later use copper washer as gasket here.
pieces for top assembly. washers are placed in this order
column assembled
thermometer and CF placed
first run with water to test thermometer
first attempt to make a lid seal. with cardboard and ptfe tape. turned out to be a bad idea.
it will be placed like this. maybe a thin strip rolled around lid is a better idea
second lid seal attempt. rolled ptfe tape around lid. with proper force applied to lid, effectively seals. (tested with pumping air with mouth). i though to use black paper clips but because of the curvature of lid they didnt help.
bottom side of lid
second run with water to test leakage and condenser. weight of condenser makes putting some weight necessary. this is also another reason that black paper clips wont help. there was a small leak surprisingly just below the weight, not on the other side. detected with a mirror. the condenser was doing ok. i remember i read something like, condensing waper requires 3(or so) times more cooling than condensing ethanol. so i decided condenser is enough. there were some tiny copper pieces in distilled water so i ran still with water for some more time to make inside of tubes cleaned.
better listen to experience
prepared some flour paste and applied to lid.
lid closed and sealed. worked as charm. this seal is so strong that, after run has completed and i've lifted the weight to open the lid, this seal did continue to carry the weight of condenser
foreshot coming
half of this glass will be discarded
still running for hearts
a closer look
hours later in the morning
lid opened next day. cleaning ptfe is much harder to clean flour paste. next time i will only use flour paste.
sprit collected and almost a quarter is consumed
and the smell is still much softer than previous run. I guess this is because I cut fermentation early last time which caused a lot of bi-products distilled. fermentation last 2 weeks this time, after that I waited a few days for things settling up. no sugar taste at all.
