Distillate Fumes Burn Eyes and Nose

[Youngn]

Ran sugar wash that had been flavored with corn today. Ferment went fine, as expected, and run seemed to be going fine, through a full copper set-up.

Poured it into a large bowl for proofing, and suddenly began tearing up as if I was cutting onions. The irritating fumes filled the room, and we eventually gave up and set it aside as wasted effort.

I've made at least 100 runs, but this is the first time this has ever happened to me. Any ideas? Distillate tasted fine, and color was good.

[bitter]

Maybe just more heads than normal? Heads make my nose burn...

Sometimes depending on yeast and makeup of the mash.. the yeast will produce more or less heads. Could be nutrients, yeast, temp etc etc...

I would also advise that you air out things over night before making cuts. Some those volitile alcohols will evaporate off and make it easier to do cuts. Maybe its that? Do you normally air out before making cuts?

B

[Youngn]

Usually make cuts immediately afterward. It's been very warm this week, which I suppose could have made the yeast create a lot of fusel alcohol.

[rad14701]

I have a very strong stomach and virtually nothing gets to me... Dead and rotting carcasses, human or otherwise, ripe garbage or sewage, you name it, has no effect on me... But about a year ago I did a reflux run, of what I don't recall, and the compressed tails got me the closest to hurling my guts out as I've ever been in my life... The astringent chemical smell simply overwhelmed me and also made my eyes burn excessively and made my nose run profusely... My mouth started watering like hurling was immanent and all I could do was keep swallowing until the sudden wave subsided... I actually headed for the bathroom, it was that bad... That was the closest to puking I've been in 30 - 40 years...

All that said, were you pot stilling or running a reflux column...???

[Badmotivator]

The only time I ever had distillate come out painfully, sickeningly bad it was homemade wine with added sulfates.

Any chance there was something in that corn?


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