"I am totally new to this, although I have consumed plenty of good moonshine from friends. I just want to make my own and do it right. I bought and just put together the ""Essential Extractor, High Capacity"" unit from Brewhaus, with the copper mesh packing in the column. I bought their ""silver"" starter kit, but nothing came with any real instructions, besides how to assemble the unit. I need to know how to make a good mash for basic, unflavored moonshine, as we always flavor it afterward using fresh fruit, or take shots of the unflavored straight stuff. I have read a lot on the internet before buying this distiller unit and have read many, often conflicting stories about making a mash and ""cooking"" the alcohol out in the distiller.
I have a couple propane burners and the complete distiller unit, plus the starter kit mentioned above, but nothing else. I need basic instructions from experienced folks here.
How to I make a good ""mash"" for regular ole unflavored ""shine""? Any tips for using the hydrometer and alcohol meter that came with the unit?
I have read when ""cooking"" the mash in the distiller, the first part to come out is toxic, then there's a ""head"" and a ""tail"". What is done with this? How do I know what is good and what is not? Do you ""cook"" it till nothing else comes out the discharge?
Sorry for all the questions. I am just ready to get a good mash started so I can make my first run! Thanks for any advice!"

"Awesome forum! Thank you! Lots of studying to do.
Quick question.... How do yall insulate your column on your ""high capacity"" ""Essential Extractor"" unit?"

I guess the problem I am having understanding this whole process is the terminology used. What is a "wash" and a "hooch run" and something like a "shelf run"? I also read about people "cutting" their distillate. What do you "cut" it with? I know in "moonshine" you want it as clear and pure as possible. That is all I am interested in at this time. I want to make perfect moonshine, only for my own consumption. I make daiquiris with it, as well as "hunch punch", but I also like to just chug a little here and there to pitch a little drunk. LOL I am not interested in flavors or special processes, just want some simple, good pure shine.

wash refers to a surgar run, mash is when you use grains. for a sugar wash I use 2 lbs sugar for every gallon of water and a turbo yeast, this is simple for someone getting started and its unflavored..... hey mtnwalker look at me repling to a question

"So a stripping run is all about shedding bulk amounts of water out of your wash/mash. This can at times save a lot of aggragate stilling time (with the right head).

By performing a stripping run first, you can get yourself that much closer to azeotrope.

Remove your packing open your valve up completely and run as much input as your product condencer can knock down.

(disclaimer: Don't know what an essential extractor really looks like)

Yes diluting to 40% would be the norm for the spirit run."