Is this a problem?

[Kennywayne]

My first time... I mixed up a mash of pears/water/sugar/yeast and set it aside (covered). It bubbled and smelled good for a week. It has now been 12 days and it looks like it has a thin white film on top. Maybe not a film... maybe the liquid is a little cloudy. It still smells good... there may be a faint alcohol smell to it. Did I wait too long? Should I still distill it? Any thoughts?

[FullySilenced]

Welcome to the forum... Tell us a little about yourself and your equipment...

There is a great section of the website for new distillers and distiller wannab's it will answer a lot of your questions and help you get started in a safe manner... http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=46

Please read the forums rules and regulations as well...

again welcome and Happy Stillin

[Bigbob]

Welcome Kennywayne, +1 on what FullySilenced said. What was your SG? And what is your final SG? It sounds like it's done. Read,read,read.

[woodshed]

Welcome. Please step over to the Welcome Center and lay down a proper intro. If it was mine I would run it.

[hamshine]

does it taste dry?

[DAD300]

The white stuff may or may not be a lacto infection...don't get too excited if it is. When finished run it and see what you get. Some of us have added the lacto infection for added flavors.

Make sure it tastes sour and run it.

[Kennywayne]

OK, I ran it using a pressure cooker. Kept the temp at 173-175 all day. Used a 20' 1/4 OD copper tubing coil in an ice/water bath. Absolutely NOTHING came out. I checked the end of the tubing a few times and bubbles came out occasionally but no liquid. Feeling really stupid. Any more thoughts? The mash has a distinct smell, not a bad one. Could all of it have turned to vinegar? Really new here.

[jedneck]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 65&t=13294
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 65&t=16635
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=46
The first two links will help you with the temp issue. The third will help you with the ones you don't know about. 1/4 in tubing is also way to small to be safe. 3/8 I'd is the absolute minimum recommended. And do a search for shock cooling.
I would park the still till you have a better understanding.

[shadylane]

Keeny
1/4 ID copper tubing is small enough to get plugged up, use at least 3/8 ID.
Your still has to be heated to a high enough temperature to start boiling. Try heating the pot to 211f
Some were between 200 and 212 something will begin to come out of the worm.

Posting with jebneck

[Halfbaked]

Put it in park. You have a ticking time bomb on your hands. Don't put your safety or your family in danger. Jed is giving you good info. Hit the brakes and come to a screeching halt. If you have a wash dump it.

[rumBum2]

Hey Kenny, Welcome to the forum... don't get discouraged! I did almost the same as you and got the same reactions from members here.. all I can say is... THANK YOU! to forum members for savin my ass and possibly my home.

The guys here will give it to you straight, not always what you want to hear and maybe sometimes it could be worded differently but.. you have to think of how many new guys show up here and don't last..