n00b distiller from qld

[rew88]

G'day guys, Im pretty new to the distilling just brought a euro 5 spirits unlimited still and have made about 2.5 liters at around 85% from a few runs. I think i may have been distilling at to low a temperature because i was told that the water coming out of the cooling tube should be cool so when it got warm i would up the flow but the average temperature would have been 75 to 77 Celsius. So i was just wanting to know if i should re distill the lot or if it will be ok after dilution and filtering?

Thanks guys

[LWTCS]

Your cooling water can be cool or less than cool.

You only need enough cooling to knock down your vapor.

So i was just wanting to know if i should re distill the lot or if it will be ok after dilution and filtering?

Recon thats really up to you and your taste buds.

[rew88]

Righto thanks for the reply, i was worried it might have a low ethanol content from the low temp but i guess i will see how it tastes once its all filtered and flavoured.

Cheers

[LWTCS]

i was worried it might have a low ethanol content

85% is quite high for drinking. Diluting to 40% would be typical.
I prefer mine at 60 to 70 and cut with my mixer.

I pot still, so I like a little dirt carrying over.

Did you do a strip run first?
Recon some of the reflux gents will tell ya weather or not your unit will even get you to the 90s

[rew88]

haha yeah its very high i was going to dilute it to about 40% then filter it and put some flavouring in it before i drink it.
I was going to do a bit of reading and try make some rum of whisky though a pot still for my next run which will be fun.

I just took it straight from the fermenter into the still and then let it run, the instuctions that came with it say i can get 92% but i havent seen that yet.

[LWTCS]

I just took it straight from the fermenter into the still and then let it run, the instuctions that came with it say i can get 92% but i havent seen that yet.

If you are shooting for a more nuetural spirit, let your wash clear (better) and run it through the still twice. Dilute to 40% or below on the second distillation.

Recon you'll get in the 90s then.

[LWTCS]

I would highly recommend using Rad's All Bran recipe for your first venture into flavored spirits.

[rew88]

Thanks for the help man, i will start re distilling tomorrow and see how it comes out hopefully i can get in the 90s. ah yeah just had a look at that recipe it sounds very simple i might try it for my next run.