Just wanted to update this. Here are my ABV Readings on my last two runs, I haven't finished with all of the readings but it does tell a story as is.
I tried to measure this as accurately as possible with temp correction and reading below the meniscus, that's why I am surprised at the percentages. I have always been able to reach 95+ no problem but at a much slower speed and more fiddling.
I hope I didn't mix up the order of my runs
Stuff marked feints will be run again next year.
I gotta say that its really an awesome feeling when you see that Alcoholometer sink to the bottom
25% low wines @ approx.9 gallons
set temp very low after initial heat up ran in full reflux 30 minutes, took off fores
After fores, did not touch the reflux, water or heat input the entire run.
- #1 - Feints - 11:20 – 11:50 10oz 172F - (30 Minutes) fores 3-5 drips a second
- #2 - Feints 11:50 – 12:22 Pint 172F- (32 Minutes) increased product takeoff, drips per second like a steady dribble, not quite a broken stream
- #3 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) 12:22 – 12:51 Pint 172F- (29 Minutes)
- #4 - 98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 12:51 – 1:19 Pint 172F- (28 Minutes)
- #5 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 1:19 – 1:52 Pint 172F- (33 Minutes)
- #6 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 1:52 – 2:21 Pint 172F- (29 Minutes)
- #7 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 2:21 – 2:52 Pint 172F- (31 Minutes)
- #8 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 2:52 – 3:22 Pint 172F- (30 Minutes)
- #9 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 3:22 – 3:55 Pint 172F- (33 Minutes)
- #10 - (Unknown) - 3:55 – 4:30 Pint 172F- (35 Minutes)
- #11 - 97 (T. C. 95. 4℅) - 4:30 – 5:04 Pint 172F- (34 Minutes) barely any reflux
- #12. (Unknown) - 5:04 – 5:42 Pint 172F- (38 Minutes) 0 reflux
- #13. (Unknown) - 5:42 – 6:33 Pint 172F- (49 Minutes) 0 reflux
- #14. (Unknown) - 6:33 – 6:53 8 oz 172F- (20 Minutes) still almost stopped completely at this point
Jars 11-14 were dumped into feints
25% low wines @ approx. 9 gallons
- #1 - Feints - 11:35 – 11:51 - 10oz 172F- (16 Minutes) Distillate 3 – 4 drips a second
- #2 - Feints - 11:51 – 12:18 Pint 172F- (16 Minutes)
- #3 - Feints - 12:18 – 12:45 Pint 172F- (27 Minutes)
- #4 - 98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 12:45 – 1:15 Pint 172F- (30 Minutes)
- #5 - 98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 1:15 – 1:40 Pint 172F- (25 Minutes)
- #6 - 98.5 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 1:40 – 2:09 Pint 172F- (29 Minutes)
- #7 -98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 2:09 – 2:36 Pint 172F- (27 Minutes)
- #8 - 98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 2:36 – 3:03 Pint 172F- (27 Minutes)
- #9 - (Unknown at this time) - 3:03 – 3:28 Pint 172F- (25 Minutes)
- #10- (Unknown at this time) - 3:28 – 4:01 Pint 172F- (33 Minutes)
- #11 - 98 (T. C. 96.5℅) - 4:01 – 4:31 Pint 172F- (30 Minutes)
- #12- (Unknown at this time) - 4:31 – 4:58 Pint 172F- (27 Minutes)
- #13- (Unknown at this time) - 4:58 – 5:22 Pint 172F- (24 Minutes) 180F Flooded, because I played with the heat. I then cut product take-off, put in full reflux, pulled the container and equalized the column.
- #14 - Feints - 5:22 – 5:46 Pint 172F- (24 Minutes)
- #15 - Feints (NO RECORD)
I would wager I could probably do a pint every 25 minutes if I fiddled a little more but, I am happy with these results and running the still now is almost like autopilot unless you want to get into the tails and I don't bother.
This does has me thinking that slightly larger packing, MAY GIVE YOU MORE SPEED.
As I said, I am happy with my results and since I do a big run once a year, this is adequate for my needs.