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artooks wrote:...Do you think this smell could be removed during the next reflux distillation?

artooks wrote:Tomorrow, I will distill again, with only copper mash and with 5 Gallon Low Wines. Just to confirm, have some questions:
1) Do I at the beginning have to keep rc at the top, and when I see few drops lower the rc? Run it like it's yours. With my LM/VM combo, I start in full reflux for 15-20 minutes to compress the fores and heads. Then, I open the LM valve to pull them off. You've got to learn how to run your equipment...get the experience necessary. We can't drive it for you...it's yours!

2) Do I have to start the cooling water as soon as I charge the boiler? If you're absent-minded and might forget to turn it on later, then you'd better start the water right away. And when you say, "charge the boiler", I am assuming you mean "turn on the power".

3) Do I lets say I get fores, have to to %100 reflux for 10 minutes between the cuts, or once I go into %100 reflux, for 1 hrs, would that be enough till the end of the run. See the answer to question 1.

By the way I purchased a bigger water tank 26 Gallon and my boiler is 8 Gallon I think it will be sufficient even in the summer. Capacity is goodness...it'll sink more heat before the water warms up. Still, it is good to have a plan to replace some of the water if needed during a long spirit run. A hose from a nearby faucet with a means to drain some of the warm reservoir is one way to do it. Think about it.

artooks wrote:...some say that cuts needs to be made in the stripping run and some say in reflux...

artooks wrote:...in reflux some alcohol is returned back to the boiler therefore, methyl and other unwanted alcohol cannot be removed properly...is this correct?

artooks wrote:just does not want to make a life threatening mistake that's all.

artooks wrote:I am reading a lot even if you all think that I am not, I have even purchased 3 books and started to read, so I am taking this hobby seriously and want to learn the best I could.

artooks wrote: but sometime I could not find the answer that I am looking for

StillerBoy wrote:

artooks wrote: but sometime I could not find the answer that I am looking for

Tell me this.. how would you know what it takes to answer a question that you don't know the answer to ! !

artooks wrote:Hi Everyone,

I want to tell you about the second reflux run that I completed today, as I said 2 days ago I did my spirit run, but ran into problems with smell and taste, so taking the advice of the good people in here I ran it again, this time, my packing was only consisted of copper mash, anyway, I did see that the %ABV started at 94 wheres last time, when I used a combination of copper mash, copper saddles and raschig rings I did start with 96 ABV anyway, not much of a problem, I did my reflux for 1 hour and then slightly moved the rc collected 200ml and tossed it, started collecting In 200ml jars on the 4 th jar I immediately realised that that bad smell has returned back, so really looked at the site to find some similarities to my problem, but all I found was mainly taste problems about using the Turbo yeast, it is strange after collecting 600 ml the bad smell returned, and I cannot find a reason for that, smelled all the copper mash and SS mash, the problem was at that point everything was covered with that smell, so really hard for me to distinguish, what I am thinking is

1) I did complete the BW wash, My OG was: 1.070 FG: 0.990 so there does not seem to be any problem, but maybe the bakers Yeast that I am using could might cause next time will try a different yeast, but then again, I did not get anything like this smell in the stripping run, so now I am clueless, I wish there was something similar in the forum but will try harder.
2) I suspected the SS mash on the coil, so I changed it with copper mash instead.
3) As all of you suggested that this could have been caused by the low level of the water, so if that day the spirit burned, can this burned smell go away or stay regardless of what I do, that also I do not know, but will search,

Overall this was my third wash which was unsuccessful, I poured it away, but gained some experience, will start again, hope this time I can do better, thanks a lot.

artooks wrote:RedwoodHillBilly, thank you very much, I already put the packing in vinegar, will try again and hope will figure it out in my next run.

Thanks

GrassHopper wrote:Artooks,
We/I understand your frustration and anticipation of getting something good to drink. Hang in there, it will come. I remember my very first wash that smelled like puke and I ran it four times hoping it would clean up. It never did. Of course that was with a pot still and not my CCVM reflux. I have never had that happen again and I have ran many, many runs.
There could only be a few factors causing a bad taste/smell of the middle of your run. 1. A bad or infected wash/mash 2. A new or dirty column and packing 3. A scorch (as mentioned) 4. A puke (usually on runs of rum or AG or brandy or unfermented washes). 5. The ones I have not learned about yet
I also have observed that once the patina settled into my column and my copper mesh my product only has gotten better. Be sure your copper mesh is 100% copper and not coated copper.
Oh, BTW....I have never stopped reading and learning. This hobby is addictive.

still_stirrin wrote:Since you're starting a new sugar wash ferment, I suggest you look at and try Rad's All Bran recipe (also in the Tried & True Recipe forum).

+1, when I was learning, I used to do sugar washes, this was the one that I had the best success with. That is what I refer to in my signature. I now find that ag is easier and cheaper. But you need to walk before you run.

It makes a great neutral for those high proof runs (no, I don't mean it gives you the "trots"). I prefer it to the Bird Watcher's because it is easier to make and I've had better success with it fermenting to below 1.000. It seems to be more tolerant to the pH crash, probably due to the grain and vitamins in the cereal. I use the generic all bran cereal from the grocery store.

It's easy and is tolerant of mistakes, highly recommended. Get the cheapest cereal you can find.

In memorium....your scorched Bird Watcher's was a good learning experience...unfortunately, it didn't give you any product to celebrate the successes of your new hobby/skills. But soon, very soon you will have those rewards. Chin up...

There you go, keep on keeping on, you'll get it.

kimbodious wrote:I siphon my wash in to my boiler

StillerBoy wrote:

kimbodious wrote:I siphon my wash in to my boiler

When you state I siphon my wash, are you actually siphoning or racking your wash, as there is a big different in the result achieved.. a racking cane with the tip will not pick up sediment vers siphoning will.. when racking a wash that has been allow to settle properly, there is no more than about 200 ml of wash left behind..

Mars

artooks wrote:So you are recommending to do a water run without an rc only a packed column is that right ?
yes as a cleaning run, you would soon find out if your still is contributing the bad smell
also I do a 6 Gallon wash but when I syphpon I think I leave behind 1 Gallon is it the same with you ?
No,from a 24 litre was I leave behind 1/2 a litre
Many people used BW wash and get perfect results ?
I prefer Googe's Kale recipe!
I always read that refluxing mostly remove taste but I believe regardless of mow many times I tried once a wash is burned that smell cannot be removed
some bad smells are very difficult to remove
thank you very much kimbodious.