Home Distiller

First let me give some background info. This was my second run. 2 weeks ago I made a sugar mash using 3 small cans of tomato paste, 8 lbs of granulated sugar, red star baking yeast, and 4.5 gallons of water. After 1 week I decided to run it through my 16 quart ss stock pot with a 10 foot copper worn. The first run really impressed me. It was clear as water and tasted like a mid priced vodka. I only had time to run half my mash. This week I decided to run the other half. The shine this time came out a cloudy pinkish red. I got close to 60 ounces after cuts. The problem is that the moonshine was pink and had particals is it. I ran it through a coffee filter and now it's a cloudy yellow. I'm thinking that it is bits of tomato or maybe yeast. Also the lid of the pot was coated in the red tomato paste substance. Is it ok to drink? It smells the same as the first run but a bit like jolly ranchers. Could the mash have spoiled? Any help is appreciated.

Did you let it finish workin off? If there was unfermented sugar left in your wash or you overfilled your boiler it'll puke on ya.

+1 on stillin's advise. If your gonna run a small pot still then make sure the ferment is done, don't over fill the pot and run it slow.

+2 on over fill and puken

I would say if the first run was good, you got it in time. The second time it may have gotten less ABV due to infection or something else.
If the first run was good it must have been done or finished. Second run not so good, must be going down hill.

Just how I see it.

Richard7

Edit to add. Just reread your post, if your getting colors I'm with the others. Something happened, puked or cleaning issues.

It was a Birdwatchers wash admit came out pink. Puke. To much heat. Boiler to full. Or you transferred some of the yeast trub on the second that you didn't on the first. Or all of the above.

Oh and a 16qt pot how big is the copper tubing?

Ok thanks. Is it safe to drink when the still pukes?

Thanks prairiepiss. I'm pretty sure it was because I collected the settled yeast and whatnot from the bottom of the mash bucket.

benstiller1303 wrote:Thanks prairiepiss. I'm pretty sure it was because I collected the settled yeast and whatnot from the bottom of the mash bucket.

What do you mean you collected the yeast and whatnot?

And I wouldn't drink it. I would dilute it to 40% or under and run it again. And running Birdwatchers in a pot still. You would be netters off running it 2 or more times anyway. If your ferments are twice what your boiler will hold. Do two stripping runs and combine the two dilute to 40% or under and do a spirit run.

Sorry should have been more clear. I'm thinking that when I transferred the mash from the fermentation bucket to the pot still I must have scooped up some of the yeast and tomato paste that settled to the bottom. And my copper in 10 feet long.

That's why we always recommend to rack the wash off the trub. It's much easier then scooping and getting the junk.

And I read how long it was. What is the diameter of the tubing used?

3/8 in. Racking is just siphoning isn't it?

Yes, and people transfer this way so that they don't disturb the yeast and trub on the bottom.