Testing Alcohol

mohawk · Post by **mohawk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:21 am

gentlemen,
I ran a sugar molasses wash, in a pot still. Made my cuts. Then kept the hearts and ran every thing else again. The hearts were about 55% and second run about 70%. All seems good. Read on another site about the burn test. Tried it. The hearts had a nice blue flame for a bit, then the flame gets higher and the top of the flame turns a light orange. Tried the second run it did the same. This other site(not sure how reputable it is) says if it burn orange dont drink it. I have read this site(homedistillers, and love it.Great bunch of guys), cant find any thing about this burn testing. I did all the other test and threw out about 500ml (100ltr wash). I did the glass test mentioned on the site. Over night no residue.

So does the burn test mean anything?

It taste great, smells great, clear a whistle. Is it safe?

maximk · Post by **maximk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:19 am

well i'm just as new to this as you are, but i'm pretty sure thats just a general rule of thumb. If you followed procedure, took adequate cuts, and the distillate tastes/smells clean then it should be fine to drink. What type of still ar eyou working with? and what is the proof of your distillate?

mohawk · Post by **mohawk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:49 am

its a pot still, and like I said the first run is about 50% and the second run is about 78%.

ps: how do you change from apprentice to something else on profile

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:53 am

why test it? you got acceptable cuts, and your temps were right, correct? and it's a sugar wash, you tossed the first 150ml right? so there's basically no methanol. taste it and if you don't like it, then the problem lies in your technique which will improve over time.

the most common mistake for newcomers is to run too hot, drawing off your spirit too fast, producing an inferior product.

mohawk · Post by **mohawk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:11 am

Thank,
Have to say that the making cuts was the trick. Had a old fellow with me and showed him the differance in the cuts. He was amazed. Told him reading a little does wonders.
All that aside, My temp was about 80 cel. at the start, with a nice slow stream. Then the temp went very slowly to about 90 cel. an kept it there. The guage is mounted in the pot still measuring the mash temp. was searching for a guage to measure the steam cant find one.

So the flame thing is nothing?

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:18 am

use the thermometer in the steam not the mash. also read the home site

mohawk · Post by **mohawk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:36 am

that would be great, yet I bought the still, the guy mounted the probe into the mash. Am looking for a way to change it, for know working with what I have. As well I read the sight a couple times. I was wondering if your mash one temp, would your steam be hotter. To the touch, it does seem hotter.
Maybe someone could just answer, does checking with burning in a spoon mean anything?
what does it mean when nice blue, then change to a slight orange around the top if anything?

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:37 am

i find it hard to believe someone would sell a still with the thermo in the mash? they know what there doing?

also try search the forum with Devils Beard that should tell u how to read the spoon burning.

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:43 am

do you have a picture of your still?

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:59 am

Brett wrote:i find it hard to believe someone would sell a still with the thermo in the mash? they know what there doing?

http://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/Image:Still.jpg

my still, with thermometer in the mash and at the top of the column.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:07 pm

but to just put one in the mash doesnt make sense? everything iv read here n been told tells it needs to be in the vapour not the boiling liquids.

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:12 pm

doesn't mean i don't want to know what temp my mash is hitting.

i have one at the top of the column for vapor temps too.

mohawk · Post by **mohawk** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:26 pm

Found the info on Devils Beard. Now I get it.
As for the still. It works good. Built from stainless I got for a guy years ago. He built it and made shine for years with it. Who nows why he did it. He retired, old and blind ( just kidding). I did some horse trading and got the still and coils.
This guy looked at me like I was crazy when I go serious and started making cut, double distilling. He said he was making pure whiskey? I tested some with my new Hydrometer. Less than 40%.
Mine was over 50% first cut.
I do use the temp of the mash, all I got right now. Yet it does seem to work, after the Methnol came off the temp did rise, and settled out at 90. Worked awsome cooking slow, taking cuts and did a jesse said "very slow stream a little more than continueing drops."
Anyway, it tastes great. Cuts good with coke for the ladies. And is great in a table spoon.

Home Distiller

Testing Alcohol

Testing Alcohol

Still type

well

Jesse

OK, thanks

well

sure

Thanks Guys