2nd run went better!

[diesel4ever]

Well ran the other half of my 5 gallon mash mix and did what yall said about bringing it up to a boil slower to prevent foaming into packing and WOW absolutely no floaties and discoloration! also increased temp VERY gradually through out the run till it reached about 81C (178F)then shut down. This time I allowed it to total reflux for 30 minutes before raising temp enough to start collecting product. Once again I started pulling 60ml (2oz) samples off at 1-2 drops per second after tossing out the first 60ml. I numbered each jar and once I could not tell a difference in smell between the last two samples I started combining samples till the temp reached 79C (174.2F) then continued collecting but kept this all separate until the end of the run.

One thing I noticed was that the tails I collected (everything after 79C) smelled the same as the body of it but the taste bitter!

Do I still want to save this stuff to try to recycle it or is this Isopropyl alcohol ?

I'm also having trouble keeping a steady temp as my burner cycles on and off unless its full blast (which is too hot). Any electricians out there have any ideas on how to prevent this?

[rad14701]

A metal plate, 3/8" - 1/2" thick, or a heavy cast iron frying pan, works well as a heat diffuser to smooth out electric stove cycling...

Save up your feints for a feints only run...

[MuleKicker]

your tails should taste soggy- like old carboard is the best way i can describe. but keep messing with the process, your on the right track. as for the electric portion, there are many discussions on the board for electric control. but you dont want the cycling. its not good, as you have found.

[diesel4ever]

I'll try cutting off a chunk of 3/8" plate steel and putting it between the burner and the pot. Forgot to mention that I'm using a 36" X 2" reflux column My hearts are coming out between 90 and 91ABV. Is this pure enough for neutral spirits (which is what I'm shooting for)? Or should I make rerun everything?