Horrrrrrrrrrible

[Chevyman1]

So i this is actually my second run. My first run i forgot to strain the cornmeal from my mash and i burnt it on the bottom of my pot still. My second run i thought i would run a smaller batch so i used
1 pound cornmeal
3 1/2 pounds sugar
3 gallons of distilled water

Now here is my problem. The distillate was clear but had some floating particles which i wasn't concerned with because id filter them out. BUT the distillate proof was very weak and i cant seem to get my condenser dripping unless its at 200+ degrees F. I thought 180 was the target temp. Can someone please help. Id like for my third run to be a charm.

[blanikdog]

As this is your first post I took the liberty of moving it to the Welcome Centre. This will enable you to tell us a little about your experience, your still and any other stuff whic may help you in this craft.

Welcome and stay safe

[Dnderhead]

i take it your using a pot still? if so the temperature will very with the amount of alcohol in wash/mash.the same goes for the vapor temperature.

[rtalbigr]

i take it your using a pot still? if so the temperature will very with the amount of alcohol in wash/mash.the same goes for the vapor temperature.

This misconception about temps seems to be rather common with new distillers. As Dnderhead states your temps depends on your alchol concentration. Yes, ethanol boils at 172F but because you have a solution of ethanol, water, etc the actual boiling point will change. The higher the ethanol concentration the lower the boiling point and vice versa. Think of what occurs when you combine anti-freeze with water in your vehicles radiator. The solution changes both the freeze point and boiling point of the water.

Second, ya don't really need a thermometer with your pot still because your vapor temps are basically irrelevant to your product. With a pot still ya need to learn to use your senses, primarily taste, and then smell and feel. Go to the Reading Lounge and read up on how to make cuts. You'll never have a "charmed" run until you learn proper cuts. Also you'll find a proof hydrometer will be helpful.

Big R

[emptyglass]

If you are using a pot still, the best thing you can do with the thermometer is cut it in half with an axe. Or just ignore it.
You have got to "feel" your still (but not too much, or you will burn your hands )

Reflux it's sort of handy.

Maybe up the ration of corn??

Do a vinegar cleaning run, eliminate the plumbing as the sorce of the floaties. This might help work out if its how your running it (too full, wash not racked) All things being equal, you shouldn't have to filter.

Dont rush, stay safe.

[Braz]

My second run i thought i would run a smaller batch so i used
1 pound cornmeal
3 1/2 pounds sugar
3 gallons of distilled water

Would it be safe to assume that you also had some yeast in here? Did it ferment all the way to dry? Did you get any specific gravity readings at the start or end of the ferment?

From your description it sounds like your wash/mash was quite low in alcohol content. That would explain the need to get all the way to 200F before you got distillate and also the low ABV of your product. Won't explain the black floaties though.

[Chevyman1]

Wow! i never thought i would get this many responses. I appreciate it! As you can tell i am a newbie. i have been doing alot of reading though. I bought my still form rocky top stills. i think its a reflux and pot combined. and i use copper mesh packing. The low alcohol content/high boiling temp makes perfect sense to me now. And yes i used one packet of yeast on that wash. Whats a simple corn meal/sugar/yeast/water recipe for ill say 5 gallons? the recipes i find seem to be a little confusing with all this gravity talk. ( since im brand new )

[Samohon]

Welcome to HD Chevyman1...

Water has a specific gravity of 1.000...
If you add quantities sugar to the water, the gravity rises, lets say to 1.080... This is your Starting Gravity (SG)...
If you then add yeast/nutrients to the liquid (wash), they will convert the sugars into Co2 (Gas) and C2H5OH (Alcohol)...
Another reading is taken, lets say it ferments out to 0.995... This is your Finishing Gravity (FG)... It should taste very dry...

To find out how much alcohol is in your wash use this formula... ((SG - FG) x 1000 / 7.4)...

Example:

• 1.080 - 0.995 = 0.085
• 0.085 x 1000 = 85
• 85 / 7.4 = 11.5

Thats 11%abv in your wash regardless the volume of the wash in your FB (Fermenting Bin)...
You find your SG and FG with a hydrometer from the brewshop...

Hope it helps... Have fun and above all else, Stay Safe man...