Stovetop pot still

[lownslow]

So I am doing a first run as we speak. The drive-by truckers are accompanying me.

Anyway, I did a vinegar/water cleaning run and it went fine. Then i did another (just to double check seals) then I ran a gal of carlos rossi. I am now running KS's sweetfeed. I am seperating all the distillate into 10 unused mason jars to start learning about cuts. The problem is, I am getting some very fine "floaties" or sediment in the spirit. I chucked the foreshots (kept for later applications, actually) and am trying to figure out why I am getting this. Running on a low heat. any ideas?

[imprez55]

There shouldn't be any precipitate in the distillate. Do you have any other pictures of your setup and did you rack the wash off the ferment or did you just chuck all of it into the pot?

[itchy]

how long did you run the vinegar solution for? and how long did you run the sacrificial alcohol for? i just did a vinegar cleaning run on my potstill yesterday and sacrificial today,,, i was getting little white "floaties" in the distillate as well but after a few hours and about a gallon of output it cleaned up... now its running smooth,,,

[lownslow]

I tried to let it cool for about 24 hrs, but only got it down to 60. then I used a nylon paint bag to strain off the grain. Then I threw THAT into the boiler. I had a really tough time with the soldering and I'm concerned that its just carbon left from the torch. I ran the vinegar for a couple hours each time, ran the sac. wine run for about an hour and have done 4 stripping runs today. All 4 have had very small amounts of black shit and then an oily brown substance on top. I ran it through a paper towel and it's crystal clear now. Just curious what the heck it is.

I think ive done everything else right. I might go buy a snake with a big head on it tomorrow.

[lownslow]

I did a spirit run today and it came out AWESOME. it still has a slight off-scent but i'll learn from this and move on. I just want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone on this site. I have been toying with the idea for years but never really knew where to start. A buddy (in another state) bought a fancy still a few years ago and it drove me nuts. Now I am glad to say I built my own, from scratch, with my own two hands; I never could've done it without the endless information provided by ya'll. I feel safe when I run my still because I took your stories and words of wisdom to heart. I can work on improving the product later, but the safety I learned here was #1 and I appreciate you guys all making that clear.

Now it's time to start fine tuning this stuff!

Thanks again.

L-n-S

(also my username is a fly fishing reference; I didn't realize it would double for distilling!)

[Prairiepiss]

Congrats. It does make it that much more satisfying when you build the still. But guess what. I'm sory to information you but. Your hooked. Try getting away from it now.

Suggestion. Let it air out for 24 to 48 hours. I just cover the jars with coffee filters. And let them set out for a day or two. The smell gets better and so does the taste. It makes cuts a lot easier.

[lownslow]

Piss,

Thanks for your posts on here. I've read a lot of your stuff. So that THANK YOU was directed at guys like you, rad, Shiner, Somaho ( or whatever it is...)

I put 3.8 liters in 10 jars. I have them numbered and sitting with paper towels over them. Will that work?

[Prairiepiss]

Perfect. Check it tomorrow. You will be surprised at how different it will be. It's good to try to keep in your mind what each jar tasted smelled and felt like coming off the still. So when you go back the next day to them. You can associate the difference. But over time you will start knowing better what is what coming off the still. A good exercise is. While you are running the still take notes. Try to guess where the cuts are and write it down. Like jar 5 has a slight headsy smell and taste to it jar 6 the headsy smell is gone I think I'm in the hearts. Then compare those notes the next day when you have let it air out and your ready to make your cuts. This will get you to learn what's coming off the still knowing what you had in the past. After a few 5 or 6 runs your notes will start matching your cuts. Your mileage may very.

[itchy]

congrats on your run,,,, glad to hear things cleaned up....

@pp thats really good advice keeping notes when running,,, something i myself gotta start getting in the habit of doing...

[lownslow]

That sounds awesome. So at some point, will I be able to make cuts without separating them into 10 jars and THEN making the cuts? I guess that's the end goal, right? Also, my dad had these since he was my age (26) and gave them to me for christmas. Thought you'd appreciate them.

[Prairiepiss]

Yes you do it long enough you will be able to. When you change recipes you have a new learning curve.

[rad14701]

Might require more than 10 jars... I ran a few more than that my last run because I wanted to collect in smaller amounts through the heads and tails cuts transitions...