 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/27/2009(UTC)
Posts: 3
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"I just started this hobby a few months ago. After reading the Stone book, I
bought a 19 gal. water heater (tried both 1500w & 2000w elements) and made an
1-1/4"" copper still head (Mexican cactus design).
My first wash I did as Stone instructs. Basically a 5% sugar/yeast wash. It
came out fine. Nothing spectacular, but ok. From there I wasn't satisfied with
a 5% wash. I then tried various washes with various yeasts, various recipes. I
have used bakers yeast, distiller's yeast, and EC 1118. Ever since my first
wash, every run thru the still ends up smelling like rubbing alcohol. I've
tried carbon to clean up up. Doesn't work. When collecting from the still, I
will catch some in a spoon and light it. The flame starts off a clear blue then
soon changes to yellow.
Each run the process has been the same. Put the cleared wash in the boiler.
Power up the 2kw element until the temp in the still head reaches 70 c or so.
Then using the Harbor Freight router speed controller, I turn the power down to
the element as much as i can. I will let the column equalize for an hour or so
then slowly take off the heads. Once the temp climbs to 78.4 I begin collecting
a bit more. Due to everything smelling like rubbing alcohol, it's been hard to
define a cutoff where the heads end. I will continue the run until the temp
starts to climb in the low 80's.
I built a 2"" bokabob's slanted plate still head and combined all my previous
runs and ran it thru the new still. It did not make a difference.
Has anyone had this problem? Any advice on what I might be doing wrong? I have
never used DAP in any of my washes. I am going to order some and see if that
makes a difference. Any other thoughts? I really appreciate any help!
D"
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
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Wow a bokabob didn't clean it up in reflux mode??? I'd just use this as practice for the next batch of wash. As far as your wash - you need nutrients, unless you use a turbo, there are no nutrients for the yeasts. I use a little DAP & some vegamite & some epsom salts. You should be able to push a good yeast to close to 20%, but you have to add the sugar in stages, being careful not to take the SG above 1.080
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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"Mine smelled like that but after airing it out for a few days is smells almost sweet.
maybe you were in too much of a hurry.
You aught to try wine making. Nothing goes fast with that lol lol"
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