First stripping run starting now.

[LeslieTx]

I set up my still and am doing my first ever stripping run. Everything seems to be set up correctly. I'm using my mash pot to circulate cooling water so I can drain and add more water as needed. I also figured out a way to keep hose from jumping out of pot, using a binder clip. I'll report back later.

[Setsumi]

Just watch the return on the condenser, it is already kinked. With heat it will kink further an reduce your cooling potential.

[LeslieTx]

Thanks, I adjusted the hose and removed the kink. Took 17 minutes to fill first quart.

[IdontKnow]

Good luck. Hope it comes out great.

[Saltbush Bill]

Any copper in that still anywhere?

[LeslieTx]

No, all stainless.

[psf]

you need some Cooper in your vapor path on your rig some where, even a copper mesh in the column is better than nothing. it's science

[LeslieTx]

you need some Cooper in your vapor path on your rig some where, even a copper mesh in the column is better than nothing. it's science

In future runs, I plan on packing the column with copper "wool" . I don't know what it called. Like a Brillo pad, but copper.

[psf]

Just make sure it's all copper. I think some of the Brillo pads are plated. I ordered some from a distiller supplier to make sure. once you run you can clean it and reuse it. Soak it in citric acid and water or just use the spent wash to clean it. rinse with fresh water and dry. The same piece will last a while. One roll is a lifetime supply at the rate it's used.

[Deplorable]

And wrap that silicone gasket on the boiler lid with PTFE tape.

[squigglefunk]

and the seal looks pretty bad on yours, keep an eye on it during your runs.

I have the same still and I do have issues with that seal having "blowby" and leaking. I have been using extra binder clips on mine to keep it in place.

I also moved on from that cylinder condenser as I feel it smeared more than other designs although it does have good knock down power. Mine seems to have a lot of pooling issues tho... after a run there would be piles of booze trapped in the condenser which makes me think it's extra smeary. It can make decent booze but I recommend stripping/spirit runs for most products and do the spirit run slow.

I never played with the valves on the "football" too much although it might have some sound theory behind it. Supposedly you open the top valve at the beginning of the "take off" to release the "foreshots" and then the lower valve a little bit into the run to release fusel oils? I dunno, the valves were rusting badly on mine so I just put plugs in those holes and in the ones on the lid. Maybe that would help keep the fores from smearing into the rest of the run if you released them before they hit the condenser? I am ditching the football soon too anyway, putting a straight copper riser on. Definitely get some copper in that thing somewhere, I stuff the whole football full on mine lol. I don't use those ceramic balls that came with it, I felt like they absorbed and trapped a lot of funky flavors. Copper packing is better and easy to wash out.

Sorry for the ramble, good luck on your future runs.