Container size for cuts?

[brazenheadbeer]

Something just occurred to me...

I have about a gallon and a half of low wines and I'm ready for my spirit run. My collection jars are 1 quarts. Should I have smaller jars for my cuts?

[Tipsy McStagger]

I've read in several posts people suggesting around 500ml jars (about 1/2 quart).

[ga flatwoods]

You must have a small still tipsy. Quarts dont have to be filled up but with no more than that to run it would be a good time to invest in some pint jars. Maybe only fill them half each for no more than that.
GA Flatwoods

[Tipsy McStagger]

You must have a small still tipsy. Quarts dont have to be filled up but with no more than that to run it would be a good time to invest in some pint jars. Maybe only fill them half each for no more than that.
GA Flatwoods

1 pint = just under 500ml

But yes, I've got just an 8 gallon still, I was going by what the novice guide laid out.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 63&t=13261

[S-Cackalacky]

My approach may be a little overly cautious, but here's what I plan to do for my first spirit run of 2-1/2 gallons of low wines -

For stripping runs I've been trying to use my senses to detect the transitions between fractions. It seems easier for me to pick up the transition between the heads and hearts than between the hearts and tails.

So, during my spirit run, for the heads I'll use small jars (pint) and taste from my finger for the sting until I notice it disappearing and then switch to larger (quart) jars. After about 3 quarts, I'll switch back to pint jars and keep trying to detect the transition to tails. If I notice a distinct transition either from heads to hearts, or from hearts to tails, I will go ahead and interrupt the collection in that jar and switch to a new jar.

When I finish collecting and air the jars for a day or so, I'll do some diluted tasting and sniffing and try to refine the cuts further before making the decision on what to blend and dilute to drinking ABV.

Anyway, that's the plan. It may turn out to be much more difficult than I expect, but it's my plan and I'm sticking with it.

Just sayin',
S-C

[brazenheadbeer]

Good info thanks guys!

[Prairiepiss]

Something just occurred to me...

I have about a gallon and a half of low wines and I'm ready for my spirit run. My collection jars are 1 quarts. Should I have smaller jars for my cuts?

1.5 gal of 40% ABV.
That's .6 gal of 100%ABV.
If you collected at 60% ABV you would get a gallon off.
So if you are using pint jars half full. You would need 16 of them. You could get buy with a dozen. Collecting around 250 ml in each.

[CuWhistle]

You must have a small still tipsy. Quarts dont have to be filled up but with no more than that to run it would be a good time to invest in some pint jars. Maybe only fill them half each for no more than that.
GA Flatwoods

1 pint = just under 500ml

But yes, I've got just an 8 gallon still, I was going by what the novice guide laid out.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 63&t=13261

And here is another problem, especially with recipes. You are obviously talking about US pints. Over here a pint is 600mls, because we used to use Imperial pints before going metric. Unless using SI units it needs to be stated that you are referring to either US or Imp Pints, Quarts or Gallons. Same as a dollar isn't necessarily a dollar.

[pounsfos]

I collect in 330ml (beer glasses) no matter what run I'm doing.

Each to there own...

[Bushman]

Collection for me all depends on several things.
1. Have I used this recipe before?
2. Am I adding the feints from previous runs?
3. How am I running my still?

Let me explain.

1. If it's my first time on a recipe I might use slightly smaller collection jars but still always make changes by taste, smell & feel.

2. I collect deeper into the heads if adding feints to the wash as I know I will have more heads thus I collect my first jar in up to a 20 oz (US) container. After testing using the senses mentioned above when I start to notice a transition from heads to hearts and from hearts to tails I collect about 250 ml at a time in smaller jars. Between the transition I collect in 12 & 20 oz jars. If I think I'm getting close to transitioning then I might only collect 8 oz in a jar.

3. Depends on what I am trying to make as my end product. Lets say I have a UJ that I am running. If I want whiskey (I run a 4" column CM still) then I run it a bit faster in the collection stage than if I am shooting for a neutral thus a higher chance of smearing as I am trying to get a bit more flavor. I try to avoid some of this by 100 % reflux for 45 minutes before collecting then taking me heads off a bit slower than when I get to my hearts and tails.

[CuWhistle]

I collect in 330ml (beer glasses) no matter what run I'm doing.

Each to there own...

I use 330 ml beer bottles. Imported SOL Mexican Cerveza comes in nice little clear bottles. 3 to a litre = perfect for me. I just leave them sit for a day or two after collecting and find that the bugs don't go in and they breath well enough.

[Prairiepiss]

When I started I used 1/2 pint jars. A lot of them. But once I got use to what I was doing. I graduated up to quart jars. On recipes I know. I just fill them up. Like I know they should be. On new recipes I may only fill them half or so. Until I learn how that recipe works out.

[DAD300]

I start every 14 gallon run with 3-pints, next two quarts, next one half gallon and back to three quarts.

But if I had a new recipe, I'd stick with pints on the beginning and end and quarts in the middle, small containers will give better room for cutting and blending.