Well I distilled my first mash today... turned out to be a failure. It was a small batch of 2 gallons and to start it was tainted by silicon that fell into the mash while fermenting. I figured this out when I opened my lid yesterday. It wasn't fully fermented still bubbling a bit. I got rid of all the silicon and used an epoxy this time that gets hard and seems to work great. I ran some of the mash anyway for test runs and had a few problems. I never got a drop of liquid out of the condenser until the temp reached about 200F. I kept the heat low so it slowly raised to 170 in about 10 min maybe bit less in a 1.5qt pot. I tossed the first bit and what I did collect has a pretty strong odor of.. I dunno something about like finger nail polish remover... just not quite as strong. Anyway got another bigger batch of mash started tonight and gonna go from there.. until next time!

Well sorry to hear it didnt turn out as expected. Sounds like you was close. Few minor changes and next time should be better.

Hey 88 would you mind telling me what the silicone you've replaced with epoxy is being use for.

The epoxy was to keep my fermenter lid airtight. I have a copper tube coming out of the top of a 5 gal bucket dipping into a bowl of water on the other end. I had junk flex silicon at first and the moisture took it off and it mixed with my mash..

The lid isn't no. The lid has a rubber gasket and snaps on. I cut a hole in the top of the lid to run my tube through then epoxy is around that.

After reading my post I understand why you thought that.. I didn't specify to well

Ya I got a brand new bucket and washed it first. The airlock is cheap just didn't wanna wait for it to ship so I used the extra tubing I had and it works great now. I slightly changed the ingredients this time.. I used 2.5 lbs of cornmeal 4 lbs of sugar and 4 gal of water.. Does this seem like an ok mix to you guys?

Double dittos. Not enough sugar..too much cm for that size batch. Round the meal down to 1.5-2 lbs max 1/3 of a five bound bag give you three nice 4 gal washes. For sugar I try to give a five or six gallon wash 10 lbs with distillers yeast. Might consider 7 or 8 for bread yeast. Somebody just needs to do the math to downsize it one notch:)

Now now now..lol. Longer you wait the more danger which is lurking. Like it overflow and consume us all ect. I just added some rye in mine which I got to clowning around on the compooter and plumb forget. Yeastes is forgiving at least on the front end. Just my .02 of course. Results from ohers may vary.

Okay..think you made the right decision Sir. Every little bit helps as the conservation ossifer say as he/she made wee wee in the pristine river. Those guys and gals are dedicated no doubt. I used to know an old Tanker who served with Gen Patton who watched him do it in the Rhine or Rhone...I get them goofy European Rivers mixed up sometimes. All will be well with you and yours..and your hooch. We have a high confidence level.