my first run

[hopkins21]

ok so I did my first run.last week and it went decent I guess. I started with 10gallons of sweet feed wash. I'm using a propane burner and a 15 gallon keg as my pot. I hooked my water up when.I got to about 130 degrees. I got my first drip at around 155. But it was an easy 5-10 seconds between drips. It dripped like this Untill got up to 192. At 192 is had a pretty steady stream, like its suppose to. But steam was conning out of the end. By the way I use a 2inch traditional stainless still head. Anyway if Iwould back.the temp down to like 175 hardly anything at all would come out....1 drip every 10 seconds . I know this isn't right I'm just curious as to why it was doing this...I have calibrated my thermometer but it is mounted at the top of my pot. Let know what yall think. And don't hold back yall won't hurt my feelings.

[Richard7]

Don't back down on your temp. It will never come out.... Just keep the heat on it. If it is a pot still, the heat you apply will determine how fast it comes off. As it cooks you may need a little more heat. As the ABV in the wash goes down the temp needs to go up.
If it is a reflux still the more input of heat you give it your reflux ratio will go up, and you control the take off with your valve.

[hopkins21]

That was one thing I was having trouble with was keeping a steady heat, it just wanted to jump up fast ass hell once it hit.about 160. Also would it make since to pack my still head or is that just for columns only.

[Richard7]

If its a pot still it will do little to no good. Packing works with reflux. Since you seem to be running a pot still?, I would suggest putting the heat to it till you get a stream bout the size of a pencil lead. Even better. Give this a read http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11640

[hopkins21]

Ok. Thanks for the input, every little bit helps. And even though the run wasn't a complete success I still had fun....thanks again.

[Richard7]

Unless you have already trashed it that run may not be done yet....fire it up and give it another get go, if its still in there?

[hopkins21]

I trashed it because I wasn't sure if it could stay in there for another week until I was able to get to it again.

[bellybuster]

ok, I'll say it..
It's a pot still, run it by output. Put a piece of tape over the thermometer next run (I'm serious) heat it until distillate appears then dialit back a bit, adjust heat input for a broken stream output.

Have faith, it works. Give it a go

[hopkins21]

Right on...will do....thanks fellas.