I am just looking for a straight answer.

[Oisterboy]

I've been all over the internet, looking in and out, every crack and crevice. Maybe I'm just asking my question in a different way than everyone else, but I can't seem to just find a straight answer to my question. Its driving me insane. I have found many answers, all pretty much confirming that I cannot chemically make methanol from my setup, but I would just like to be 100% clear here.

I regularly make a wash from sugar, water, and alcotec 24/48 hour turbo yeast (I've used both, not sure which I like better.)

I would like to make http://jonahsimon.com/public_forum/moon ... shine.html THAT EXACT STILL.

I will only be able to distill however much my teakettle holds at a time.

My question is, do I really need to discard a certain amount, or discard X amount up to a certain temperature with this setup?

I have found so much misinformation, I would just like a straight answer.

Will I go blind if I screw anything up here?

I'm sorry, but I'm just so confused. I've really read so much, but I just can't seem to find a simple yes or no to my question! THANKS SO MUCH!

[rad14701]

Welcome to the HD forums, Oisterboy...

That's one helluva ghetto setup with the tea kettle and steel pipe condenser housing... I think you can do better without spending much more money... You definitely don't want to be using a rubber stopper... Have a look at the Rules We Live By section before proceeding further... A simple stainless steel stock pot with a copper worm in a bucket would be a better choice...

Yes, you always have to discard foreshots, even with a tiny still... However, using a boiler under 8 - 10 liters in size is virtually a waste of time considering the final product you'll collect after removing foreshots, heads, and tails...

Do your research here, now that you've found us, and ask questions before proceeding... We take safety and health related issues very seriously here because we don't want anyone poisoning themselves, their loved ones, or their friends... Remember, you are ingesting the spirits you make... It's not just fires and explosions that can be harmful...

I guess, in short, what I'm trying to say is don't make a tea kettle still even if it looks cheap, easy, and ghetto... Spend your time and effort on making the right tool for the job...

Good luck...

[Dnderhead]

I mite add it is not so much methanol that is the problem , there's also acetone, ethyl acetate,, ethyl and propel in the fores.

[Oisterboy]

Yeah, this was just to get me going originally...

Thanks for the input. Any suggestions on a very cheap beginner still then?

[LWTCS]

Head on over to the pot still section.
There are lots of photos with which to get some good ideas.

No offense intented, but that still build is really poorly executed (imo).

Simple build is good, but ya gotta take a little pride in your work.

Good luck.