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Fusils in the distillate .... Probably at the very end of the run? Collect everything till you get the spots.....re-run what you collected and see what you get.

Fusils in the distillate .... Probably at the very end of the run? Collect everything till you get the spots.....re-run what you collected and see what you get.

No counter arguments? I'll assume my theory makes a little sense for a 3.5 gallon pot still. Results from mine don't lie. 89 percent peak on a second run is no joke......after less than a week, I've produced a product superior to jack. Not being a conceded ass.....based on taste tastes by numerous e...

My novice opinion is that 1/2 creates more surface area to cool than does 3/8. 3/8 also creates a little back pressure, slowing down the flow giving the vapor more time to condense, potentially reducing the possibilty of over-running the condenser. Again, Just my novice opinion as a still builder ba...

Just my opinion, 1/2 in just seems too big for a 3 gallon pot still. If you have a few bucks in your pocket, buy. 10 ft roll of soft 3/8, lop off the 1/2 in, insert 3/8, crimp, solder, try that out with a good recipe from tried and true. Someone told me to try NChooch's recipe. Mine are as follows: ...

How big is the kettle? I have a 5 gallon kettle with a 7' condenser, but my condenser is 3/8 id. You may get better efficiency with 3/8 rather than half.

You collected approx 6 and a quarter percent of what you started with. You really need to be able to proof it to figure out how much pure alcohol you collected. If you didn't use any malt, you wouldn't be able to convert all the starch in the corn, lowering your content. Your batch may be a little s...

How long did it ferment? I use 1 packet of yeast(ec1118) per gallon. You didn't produce at 174 because lower apv content wash produces at higher temps. If you run the distillate through a second time, you'll see it produce at a lower temp.

I was having a similar problem last week. I remedied the problem by: 1....diluting my spirit run to 40 apv, 2: ....turning my heat source to "on" rather than a specific temp setting and 3:...fraction the run in more, smaller portions. IE...doubling my taster/sniff portions from 4 to 9(I kn...

As long as you don't use a cycling electric heat source (as prairie teaches) you can expect 3.5 hrs from the time you flip the switch for a wash high in apv(15-20 percent). Cut that by an hour for a lower apv wash (7-10 percent) times are approximate of course.

bellybuster wrote:well done, still jealous of the 89%. Was that 2 runs in total or 3

Two

Prairiepiss wrote:Sounds like you are on the way.

So peak 89%? What did the hearts come off at?

About 80 percent.

UPDATE....made some adjustments to my procedure and replaced the rubber with cork from NB. Diluted my distillate from my all grain batch from run one to 40 and re ran. Peak apv from run 2 was once again 89 percent. Run 2 was then fractioned by 9. First 200ml along with 1, 2 and 9 of 9 were excluded ...

About how far into the tails did you keep?

My hats off to ya Fowlmouth, ya took a good lickin and still here. Attaboy! Shows good character. These guys here can bring you from mediocre/poor to a great product. They certainly got me on the right track although now they're just costing me money as I drool over the work of others. LOl...I've g...

Distilled water. Why is high apv wort bad? I'm currently running a batch of all grain tha I estimate by taste, smell and yield is between 5 and 10. Could you explain your process for estimating potential alcohol? As far as a safe sealant, flour paste. I've retread this entire thread and my man, you...

What are you heating the boiler with? I would find NC hooch's Carolina bourbon recipe in the tried and true recipe section. There are many ways people use to mash grains. But more then likely if it involves sugar. It's not a good one to follow. Sugar could be used a little to makeup for short falls...

Flour paste. PTFE tape. Solder. You dilute it with water to 40% or lower many say the get better flavors at 30%. Then run it again. What are you heating the boiler with? Electric burner with a thermostat......trying to control heat to a minimum. I'm running about 4 hours/4 gallons...cutting off at ...

Current recipe is: 6lb flake corn, 2lb rye flakes, 1.5lbs 6 row, 6 gallons water, 6 tsp ec 1118, 6 tsp wyeast nurient, 10 lbs sugar. Corn and rue are cooked for 1 hr first, brought down to 145.....barley added and held at 145. Sparged with distilled water before yeast, nutrient and sugar is added. ...

Distilled water. Why is high apv wort bad? I'm currently running a batch of all grain tha I estimate by taste, smell and yield is between 5 and 10. Could you explain your process for estimating potential alcohol? As far as a safe sealant, flour paste. I've retread this entire thread and my man, you...

I've ran 3 cleaning runs, 1 with alcohol that got dumped. This is the 3rd since then......the best so far. I know it can be much better though.

Is flour paste purchase Or made at home?

Current recipe is: 6lb flake corn, 2lb rye flakes, 1.5lbs 6 row, 6 gallons water, 6 tsp ec 1118, 6 tsp wyeast nurient, 10 lbs sugar. Corn and rue are cooked for 1 hr first, brought down to 145.....barley added and held at 145. Sparged with distilled water before yeast, nutrient and sugar is added. T...

So why would you top recommendations be besides the synthetics?.... What do I do with the 150ish proof that I get on the first run

Taste reason I can see, I'm using an electric heat source minimze the risk. The batch I just ran is about 45 with the tails in it...the sugar/grain is still 75 percent though. Less sugar? It doesn't taste sweet at all before I run it.

I'm not diluting it again until after the second run

Your drinking it at 125 proof? I think if you are doing 18% to 20% ferments. That would be where I would look first. And what are you diluting the alcohol down to for the second run. Other than a little curiosity sip, no. I'm diluting it after the 2nd run to 125, then jarring it with toasted oak. W...

I use a hydrometer.

I've been diluting it to about 125 proof AFTER the 2nd run. This may explain the sharp flavors I'm getting.

Why is a high yield bad? I'm currently running a batch of all grain that i estimate to be byweem 5 and 10 based on taste, smell and yield.