"So for starters. I have an Essential Extractor ProII. I started a simple sugar wash about two months ago (could have something to do with off flavor/smell). Today i finally had some time to fire her up! I had completed the test run a while back and have upgraded to a digital thermometer that reads 100c in boiling water. Ok here we go. I put it on the 1100 wat plate and let her start to heat up. After a while i started water to the condenser, then a little later to that head. after 2 - 3 hours passed i started to think it may not be coming to temp due to the cooling water. I then cut the water off. Within minutes she was up to 78. Thats when the fun started. The valve for the water control can be kinda tricky but i got it to a steady trickle.. after a few it got up to 79 and i cut the water up.. which started dropping it rapidly.. i had many problems keeping it at a steady 78 and actually realized it worked like i thought it should at 79. either way i discarded the first 100ml and then tested the next. It rang in at apx 94% .... i tried a shot (have been anticipating a final product sense i started reading these forums).... EWWWW! haha i can still taste it... i have drank pga before but this was somethin totally different... still had that offness even after filtering it through charcoal

anyways.. happy to have the first run out of the way. Tonight i will be cleaning it out and startin the next wash... which i will be giving a strip run


I would however appreciate any suggestions you guys may have. I would also like any short steps (such as temps, when waters cut on etc.) from any willing to share.

I have learned from this run that, I have much to learn."

That could have something to do with it. I had read mixed things about using/not using the diffuser plate (i did use it).. Also i have to mod the burner for it not to cycle, correct?

"Dn

You were still collecting heads at that point. Yuk. The 100ml were the foreshots. Then comes the heads. Take them off very slowly useing the cooling water to the head. Keep checking via taste and smell. I just wet my finger under the output. Heads will usually run for 500 to 1100ml depending on your wash before the smooth and sweet hearts start. Save the heads and later the tails for a future spirit run when enough is collected. When the temp rises a degree retest for the start of tails. Again off odor and taste.

When starting set the alarm on your digital for 5o° C and then switch on the water to the head and condensor. Run it hard and fast to the head for a good while to allow reflux total, to concentrate the foreshots and heads in the column. Then slowly slow the water till you start getting a slow drip. When you hit the hearts you can speed it up a bit.

When you hit the tails, shut off the water to the head and run it fast."

"Dn.

Forgot to mention, your idea of makeing a stripping run is great. Make 2 or 3 stripping runs and then combine for a spirit run. Best to dilute to40% for that run. Much better, cleaner spirits."

Just as a rough guidline, if you made a 17.5% wash, in 25L that would be approx. 4.50 L of pure etowah. Given that you will not get it all out, as we don't, say 4.25 liters tops. Collect about 30% for hearts, sometimes more, but best to be conservative if you want a really good taste, about 1.35 l of pure stuff. When cut to drinking strength at least double that. The heads and tails called the faints, are not waste and will produce great neutral later. Be conservative on cuts, especially when first starting out. Make some clean stuff to enjoy.