Burn test

[Hardcider]

Hello everyone. I need your expertise. I tried a sugar wash recipe, now I tested the product after vaporizing the liquid (hmmm ). I tested the product by the iodine/NaOH test (no problem), smell test no problem, but the burn test is a little concerning. It burns perfectly blue for 5 seconds then the edges of the flame turns slight yellow. I use a mortar to burn it in. Is this reason for concern? Please help. Thanks.

[Bigbob]

What proof is it? A little yellow should not be a problem, how's the taste?

[Hardcider]

It's 185 proof. I never taste pure etoh before. The best I can describe it, it has almost has no taste and it burns like hell, and it dries my lips and mouth up quickly. And it evaporates quickly. Also my flux has been sitting at 78.5C for the whole entire time.

[Bigbob]

Holy smokes! Hope you just tasted a little bit. High proof is not to drink. I was rereading taters post on distilling where he talks about the burn test. Yellow flame is a sign of inpurity, so if it's just a little it should be ok.

[shadylane]

The iodine test is good for detecting starch.
A burn test will tell you if the alcohol is high enough proof to burn.
But it's useless for anything else.
Methanol burns the same color as ethanol.

[Hardcider]

Well, for the iodine test, if it is methanol the iodine/NaOH mixture will be clear, it turns yellow with ethanol. And the burn test...ethanol turns blue and methanol turns a super bright yellow. And nah...just sipped it no drinkey!!

[firewater69]

It also will burn yellow/orange around the edges after it burns for a while, pulling stuff in from the atmosphere.

[bellybuster]

it will also burn orange if the container is slightly dirty....it will also burn orange if the barometric pressure is right, it will ................... burn test means it burns

[Hardcider]

it will also burn orange if the container is slightly dirty....it will also burn orange if the barometric pressure is right, it will ................... burn test means it burns

Ok, ok I get the hint. It is 93%abv and it burns blue in the middle but outer is yellow. So anything can cause this. But I know for a fact methanol burns yellow all the way through. So...it seems that everyone is hinting that it is safe...so i will be ok with that.

[NZChris]

But I know for a fact methanol burns yellow all the way through

Are you sure about that 'fact'? Where did you get it from?

[FullySilenced]

Just get a hydrometer and forget burning anything... if your so worried about it send it off for Gas Chromotology... spend the bucks...

Don't be piggish take off and dispose more than adequate heads and fores, keep the hearts... save the tails for the next back and have a happy worry free life

Happy Stillin

FS

PS I saw this information earlier maybe it will help you get a handle on your product: I am not sure if these carry over on every wash type or maybe just general information... but I liked what i saw and thought i would share it here... Thank you for posting and sharing the info MR A... !

1 gallon alcohol contains:

Fores: 3.1% or 3.968 ounces (117.35 ml)
Heads: 17.4% or 22.272 ounces (658.66 ml)
Hearts: 57.1% or 73.088 ounces (2161.47 ml)
Tails: 22.4% or 28.672 ounces (847.93 ml)

And as the originator said, err on side of caution and take a large foreshots collection.

[Hardcider]

Yes I am a chemist and we have methanol in our stock. I burned it myself.

[Hardcider]

I actually threw away the first 150ml out out of 3 gallon.