Home Distiller

I am very new at this and have been gaining tons of knowledge from other members here. i am running now with 12 L of cheap burgandy wine. It has almost no smell and doesnt bite my nose when I smell it. When I pour it into a glass container it has an oily look to it. Is this what it is supposed to be like? I kind of figured it would curle my nose hair when I smell it.

Something is not right, the heads should definitely curl your nose hairs. The distillate should be crystal clear, there must be a leak or your condenser is not performing.

sounds like your running it to hard and gettin tails

I make a bit of brandy from bottled wine and it has always come out crystal clear as Coops said. It also has quite a 'nose' to it.

It seems as though you have gone far to far. One has to be careful to ensure that we don't get greedy. How did you do your cuts?

blanik

Ok here was my whole process. I bought the wine(12L) and placed it in the still. Useing a propane burner I turned the heat all the way up and turned on the cooling system. temp stayed low at the top of the column untill it made a big jump to 180 and slowly climbed to 202.5 and stuck there. At that point it doesnt matter how low I turn the the heat it stays at 202.5. I keep the water cool and let it run. There isnt any steam comming out. only liquid. The first bit had a tiny bite to the smell but none to the taste.

I was wondering if it has anything to do with the packing? It has stainless steel wool up to the first water pipe that crosses through the column.

go to your other post at "mash, ferment and distill"..
i think i answered most of your issues there. (except the dirty still issue)
i'd write it here too but i aint no typist....

p.s.
damn, i ate too much today...

You can forget anything I have said. I'm only a simple potstiller and have no idea about reflux stills.


blanik

After all the post's and reading ALOT, I have concluded that with the temp at 202.5 I was boiling water along with the alcohol. If I drop the temp down to 178 I will only steam the spirt.

Ok I just made a run useing the new info. The top of the column is 175 and the top of the keg is 200. It is makeing what seems like high proof spirt. I used the shake method and it left no bead in the jar. Thanks for all the help!!