First run of sugar wash .

Many like to post about a first successful ferment (or first all grain mash), or first still built/bought or first good run of the still. Tell us about all of these great times here.
Pics are VERY welcome, we drool over pretty copper 8)

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misterb899
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First run of sugar wash .

Post by misterb899 »

Well I have to say I'm very thankful for everyone who helped get me to this point granted it was just a simple sugar wash . But it felt really good knowing that I could actually do this and I look forward to expanding my recipe book and of course my note book as that is the one thing that I really picked up on here was keeping good notes for consistency . Have another sugar wash going now as well as a cracked corn to start building up enough for spirit run of cracked corn when I get some more free time . Only thing I am concerned about I'd heating element I am using 240 v 3.5k element but I'm thinking it might be to much for a spirit run I'm thinking of adding a smaller 120 v element so that when ash gets up to temp I can turn off the 3.5 k and run like a 2k 120v element for spirit run for lil more control of temp .
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Jstroke
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by Jstroke »

Just to clarify, is that 3.5k element on a controller?

If not, build one, no need to add a second element.
If in doubt leave it out.
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Salt Must Flow
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by Salt Must Flow »

What size fermentations are you doing? Trying to get an idea of what size your stripping runs are.
misterb899
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by misterb899 »

Jstroke wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:12 am Just to clarify, is that 3.5k element on a controller?

If not, build one, no need to add a second element.
Yes it's on a scr controller with amp and voltage display
misterb899
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by misterb899 »

Salt Must Flow wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 3:23 pm What size fermentations are you doing? Trying to get an idea of what size your stripping runs are.
Well currently doing 7.5 gallon pony keg but I am switching over to a 15.5 Gallon keg for future stripping runs and prob will use 7.5 g keg for my spirit runs until I get familiar with running them . But future plans are to convert 7.5 into a thumper barrel once I get the hang of running what I got .
misterb899
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by misterb899 »

Jstroke wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:12 am Just to clarify, is that 3.5k element on a controller?

If not, build one, no need to add a second element.
Still building my cart for my set up so please forgive the mess. But I used a old orbital sander case to mount my controller and amp/Voltmeter in and on back there is a fan to pull away any heat from controller .
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Salt Must Flow
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by Salt Must Flow »

It appears you are pot stilling. A 5500W rippled fold-back ULWD element is not over sized when using a controller. Strip at 100% power and turn it down when doing a spirit run. You can do the same with the element you currently have, but a more powerful element would speed up stripping runs which would be even more convenient when you switch to a larger boiler.

I use a 5500W element and have no issues turning it down as low as I need or even lower than I need to.

Hopefully you installed that element as low as you possibly could. Just be sure not to allow that element to be exposed during any of your runs.
B_Stilling
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by B_Stilling »

That pic of you burning your foreshots (I assume?) is pretty dope 8)
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: First run of sugar wash .

Post by Saltbush Bill »

The burn test has pretty much been proved to be useless. A forum search for "flame test" turns up plenty of information
You could start with this link.
viewtopic.php?t=75486
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