Let me guess.... the silicone hose on the take off slipped out of ya jar and caught fire?

I Suggest you go here:

http://distillers.tastylime.net...rror/Org/static_menu.htm

and read up on distillation.

The speed of collection really don't matter as long as liquid and no vapor is coming out of the take off. What is important is the temp at the head.

I also suggest that you get away from the TURBO yeast.

"I know that I rushed it. My wash was still milky I just couldn't resist running my first batch. Then with the fire, I had to turn off the propane to extinguish it and lost stabilization in the head temp for a while...but I brought it back up to temp and started over from there. At 175* steady temp, it was coming out at a very fast rate (300mL/5 - 7 minutes). Should I lower the temp? The book provided states 173.5*. I did catch it in 300mL increments. The middle 900mL was at 74% abv and I cut that to 80 proof...kinda tastes like rum. The first couple and the last couple have a bitter taste to it. I plan on adding to my next batch all but the middle 900 that I kept. I also forgot the boiling chips. What temp should I shoot for beginning and ending.

Any help would be appreciated. I read plenty but would like advise from the pros like yourself.
Thanks"

"My replys are a bit vague as I am more of a (hybrid) potstiller.

But if your unit can't be put into 100% reflux mode then you may need to strip your wash first (if that skinny ass liebig can keep up). Then dilute to 40% and run again.

A 40% lowines run will act much diffrently than a 12, 14 or 18% wash. Your boiler charge will run cooler and perhaps allow you to run 100% reflux mode.

Perhaps some other users could chime in shortly?

Again, if you can't put that rig into 100 reflux then you'll never get to operate at its full potential.

How big is your recirc pump?"

"Thanks fellows. I thought the condensor was inadequate because with the ice water running through it, it had a cold frosty coating on the outside and the output was still hot. I have to keep my head temp at about 175* right? I was able to maintain that head temp for a good while. Next time I will also use marbles or pennies for my chips...I hope this will slow down the process and increase my reflux ratio. If I have to stip run my batches, I may have to return this product.
Thanks again

I have another batch of wash brewing so I will let you know how it goes."

"Also if your liebig is cool and distillate hot,,,,, make sure that you run your coolest bit of water to your reflux condenser first, then (I assume) direct your coolant to the lower water port on the liebig first as the input. And out put at the top of your liebig.

You may need independant water sources for each condenser."

"As long as you are not loosing vapor out your business end.

Some recon warm is kinda good as some harshness will air off more rapidly."

"I have processed 2 runs with my PSII in reflux. I have yet to achieve more that 85 percent. With an ambient temp of about 62f and pumping through icy well water that is further iced. I suspect that I will need to do something to enhance water flow through the head.

Using the digital thermometer, it consistently reads low despite being very careful about placing the end of the thing just above the outlet to the condenser. There is about 6 to 8 inches of naked thermometer that I will attempt to insulate. The thermometer read 210f with boiling water, so that is not much of an issue.

Despite the temp issue I have been able to tell when the temp is steady and kicking out the good stuff. Chucking heads and tails and cutting by 50 percent I still have a headache proof mix. I broke a spiral cut toasted oak in two and put it in a quart jar for a week with this stuff and it turned a great, dark amber. When filtered into 750ml bottle I added a couple of cloves for 24 hours. It turned out great. I"ve paid hundreds for good Scotch and Irish and came up with nothing this smooth.

I cannot imagine how fine it will be if I ever really figure out the PSII. Guess I should follow advise and do a stripping run first and see what I get.
When hunting is over, I will attempt a run on an all malt batch. Hard to believe you can screw it up and still get something great. One great learning experience."

"I have another batch (SW) clearing right now and it should be ready for the weekend. I kept pretty much everything except a quart of my botched up first run. If this run does the same, I will do as mountn said and just do strip runs. Eventually I guess I will be doing this anyway when I move up to some real mash. I have some questions about the future.
1. Do I filter before cutting?
2. Do I filter before using oak strips?
3. Basically when do I cut, age, filter etc.

The filtering system that came with my package deal is three pieces of pvc, a coupling, and a filter patch...what kind of filtering system is that? I would love to have a diagram of a better way than this.

Again thanks."

"Thanks for all the input.
92% abv on my second batch ever.

Still have a few things to fine tune for refluxing some more neutral.

I would really appreciate a simple grain recipe that is almost idiot proof or fit for an amateur for my first pot brew. Must be easy because I will probably screw it up on the first go round.

Thanks again gentlemen."