"Hello All,

I'll start by saying that I have had great fun through every step so far. I have to admit that I thought my end product would taste significantly better. Because it did not, I thought I would poke around here and get some ideas.

I purchased the gold fermenter kit. Per instructions on the Turbo 48 I added around 15lbs sugar (actually it was organic dried cane juice (asked the wife to buy it)), added the yeast, and the fermentation appeared to look great. I let it ferment for about a week. Near the end of the fermentation the out gassing (very very little) smelled a bit sour compared to the very sweet smelling gasses that started.

I am using the rachig rings with some coils of copper at the top of the column I made from stripping romex wire and winding the copper wire around some needle nose pliers. I tested the HC column I purchased here with water for about 20min. I used propane to heat. It sounded like it was raining in the column wile steam was pouring out. No reflux on per instructions.

For the run, I used the 25L fermented wash SG .980 (i didn't clear the wash and it was a bit cloudy) and heated via the 1500W hotplate purchased here with the diffuser plate. I have the premium kettle. After three hours, the boiler was hot (sounded like it was boiling) but the vapors would not climb the column. The plate kept cycling. I switched to propane and it immediately climbed. Possibly too fast. It took maybe 10min to climb. I had cool water flowing full on both the condenser and reflux piping. I have since wired straight to the element without trying the hot plate again.

I first noticed a swampy gross smell coming from the collection hose. then after another 10min, the temp was reading 74C and a trickle stated. Yeehaa! Almost 4 hrs in and some drops! This product smelled like a$$ with a swampy finish. I ran 1 pt. It did not sound like rain in th column like running pure water did.

I started collecting in numbered pt jars. The temp never rose above 74C.? While the product started smelling better, still swampy. Proof was tested to be about 184-186. I collected total about 1.25 gallons. (close to theoretical) Most of the product smells the same. Out of curiosity, I had to water down a tablespoon 50/50 with water (out of the 4rth pint) and drink. Not bad, but not good. It was a little sweet with a hint of rotting fruit and a swampy finish. I have not filtered yet.

I have started another fermentation with the same sugar. I intend to do the same thing and then blend the two collections together, cut with water, and re-distill.

Is there a chance of removing the swamp? Is there a reason for the swamp? Should I try the rewired hot plate again in hopes of better performance? Will the hotplate get too hot without the ability to lower the power output?Insulate the column? Any and all comments welcome. I apologise for the very long post but I wanted to get as much detail as possible. I'm sure I left out plenty of observations and facts."

That's why I'm asking for help. How about an assist?

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Just off the top of my head ditch the turbo, use E1118 or distillers yeast. Let it clear for a couple of days and then siphon it into your boiler so you don't stir up the yeast again. My 'wired' 1500 watt hotplate gets the fore shots off in approximately 1hr 25 minutes. The temp runs up and stays the same until the alcohol content of the wash starts to diminish. I usually stop collecting when the proof drops to about 80. I run out the tails to add to the next run. I run it through a carbon filter once. Good results."

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Ditto. Homedistiller.org is the place to study. Everything you could possibly ask has already been asked so search a little before asking questions. The tried and true recipes will give you better tasting distillate and you will be done with turbos. Try the Wineos Sugar Wash. Easy and delicious."