 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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"first of all, it came out great. it is just awesome!
i have some questions regarding some of the possible mistakes i might have made. First of all, what do you use to measure alcohol content? i have one of those floating thermometer thingies, but i dont have anything so tall where that thermometer can float in. it keeps hitting the bottom and just stands there.
so i made a 10 gallon mash, and ended up with about 1.25 gallons of the end result product. with a non-turbo yeast, is a 10 to 1 ratio kind of normal? i expected more.
if i was to dilute the pure product, and distill it again, do i dilute it back to 10 gallons? does it mater?
finally, i didnt have a smooth continuous heating experience -- i was messing with the heat and had to ""start over"" a few times where the temperature had dropped to 60C. does that mean that i have to throw out the first 150ml every time i go through the 60 to 78 temperature range? or just the very first time?
thanks everyone for answering my questions."
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2010(UTC)
Posts: 453
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" Originally Posted by: red riding hood  first of all, it came out great. it is just awesome!
i have some questions regarding some of the possible mistakes i might have made. First of all, what do you use to measure alcohol content? i have one of those floating thermometer thingies, but i dont have anything so tall where that thermometer can float in. it keeps hitting the bottom and just stands there.
so i made a 10 gallon mash, and ended up with about 1.25 gallons of the end result product. with a non-turbo yeast, is a 10 to 1 ratio kind of normal? i expected more.
if i was to dilute the pure product, and distill it again, do i dilute it back to 10 gallons? does it mater?
finally, i didn't have a smooth continuous heating experience -- i was messing with the heat and had to ""start over"" a few times where the temperature had dropped to 60C. does that mean that i have to throw out the first 150ml every time i go through the 60 to 78 temperature range? or just the very first time?
thanks everyone for answering my questions. Most use the floating alcohol thingy. They usually come in a plastic tube that can be used to float it in. That's what I use anyway. Without knowing the alcohol level in your end product it is hard to say what you got (1.25 gallons) is normal or not. If it was 140 proof then that would be OK by me but if it was 80 proof it may be a little low for 10 gallons of wash. If you get a alcohol reading of about 80 proof after you dilute it that would work for a second run. If you dilute it back to 10 gallons you would probably have a lot less than that and spend extra time running it again. You wouldn't have to throw out the first 150ml the second time since all of the methanol would be gone from the first run."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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thank you. i have taken 50 ml, added another 50 of plain water, and had a taste test -- it tastes smoother and yet stronger than vodka, so I know my proof is "up there". I'll buy the tube per your suggestion. thanks again
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: redridinghood thank you. i have taken 50 ml, added another 50 of plain water, and had a taste test -- it tastes smoother and yet stronger than vodka, so I know my proof is ""up there"". I'll buy the tube per your suggestion. thanks again Brewhause has a 250 ml graduated glass tube that is perfect for this. Plastic tend to fog up and shouldn't be used with high proof alchohol. Many other uses also in this hobby. Did you make the 4 cuts. Fores, heads, hearts, tails?"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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"to tell you the truth, i havent figured out this cuts business yet.
the stages i have observed were:
- going up to upper 70s -- i have measured the first 200ml and threw it out
- then there was a stage where the alcohol was kind of running freely -- it wasnt dripping, but actually running
- sometime later, it turned into a trickle.
- there was a stage where it was just dripping -- still producing, but barely
-- and finally, there was a stage that smelled like someone had thrown up into a camp fire and it was being cooked -- that smell showed up suddenly and at that point i have immediately shut everything off.
i have mixed it all together, and tastewise, no complaints. it is smooth, does not have a ""mediciny like"" smell that some of the cheap vodkas have. i did not put it through any charcoal or any other filtering -- it is terrific just the way it is.
i plan to dilute it, and distill it a second time.
when making cuts, what exactly am i looking for? change in what? smell? speed of drippage?"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: redridinghood to tell you the truth, i havent figured out this cuts business yet.
the stages i have observed were:
- going up to upper 70s -- i have measured the first 200ml and threw it out
- then there was a stage where the alcohol was kind of running freely -- it wasnt dripping, but actually running
- sometime later, it turned into a trickle.
- there was a stage where it was just dripping -- still producing, but barely
-- and finally, there was a stage that smelled like someone had thrown up into a camp fire and it was being cooked -- that smell showed up suddenly and at that point i have immediately shut everything off.
i have mixed it all together, and tastewise, no complaints. it is smooth, does not have a ""mediciny like"" smell that some of the cheap vodkas have. i did not put it through any charcoal or any other filtering -- it is terrific just the way it is.
i plan to dilute it, and distill it a second time.
when making cuts, what exactly am i looking for? change in what? smell? speed of drippage? Without proper cuts, you have cheap box store booze. Headaches, rotton stomach and such. We can make much better. Either read a lot of posts here on cuts or go to Tony Ackland's site Makeing home distilled alchohol. Read about cuts. Its imperative for good enjoyment and tast. after makeing the cuts, if its not perfect carbon filter for super clean/"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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Yes,Yes,Yes.....read and study. When you make another run buy yourself a flat of pint jars, (i think theres about 12 or so in it) after you get rid of the foreshots (150-200ml's) you'll be in the heads, (you'll know by the smell) collect in 250-300ml amounts (line the jars up and fill as you go). With diff mashes or washes you'll get diff. amounts of heads. Finish the run so you have the said amount in the jars and turn off your still and clean up. NOW take the first jar and giveer a little swirl and see what it smells like???? (Dont mix em up yet) Then go 3 or 4 down the line and I bet you'll be able to pick out where the heads start and end. This seems to work me - as I'm not a master stiller yet, and then you keep for the next run the stuff that smells nasty.(The start of the run and the end of the run)-- you know the heads and tails. The HEARTS is the good stuff. Try this method it just might help you learn to make cuts.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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Just dropped back and reread your post.....maybe get 2 flats of jars or just do a 5 gallon mash until you get it down. Sounds like you did a stripping run so all that you collected will be added back next time. Try cooking slowly (turn your heat down and slowly push it up) so you can monitor the workings and the distilate outcome when doing the next spirit run.(Drip,Drip,Drip) Sorry to babble - hope it works out for ya.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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thank you, good advice, will do!:)
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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" Originally Posted by: mtnwalker2 Brewhause has a 250 ml graduated glass tube that is perfect for this. Plastic tend to fog up and shouldn't be used with high proof alchohol. Many other uses also in this hobby.
Did you make the 4 cuts. Fores, heads, hearts, tails? i just got the 13 inch test tube from brewhaus -- my floating gravitometer thing goes to the bottom and does not float up. the test tube is filled almost to the edge. any other ideas as to how to measure the alcohol content? i am really curious. if not for this time, how do i figure this out for next time? thanks"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: redridinghood i just got the 13 inch test tube from brewhaus -- my floating gravitometer thing goes to the bottom and does not float up. the test tube is filled almost to the edge. any other ideas as to how to measure the alcohol content? i am really curious. if not for this time, how do i figure this out for next time?
thanks Your alchometer is broke, or are you perhaps useing a vineometer? What you would normally use to test the sG of your wash, mash, wine? Are the markings 0 to a hundred at the top? There is also a mid range one used to more accuratly cut the brew to say an 80 proof range. It wouldn't work for high proof."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/27/2010(UTC)
Posts: 19
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" Originally Posted by: mtnwalker2 Your alchometer is broke, or are you perhaps useing a vineometer? What you would normally use to test the sG of your wash, mash, wine? Are the markings 0 to a hundred at the top? There is also a mid range one used to more accuratly cut the brew to say an 80 proof range. It wouldn't work for high proof. I used to make beer, so my floating gizmo is the one i got with my beer kit. The main number towards the top is a 1000, i think. -- when placed in pure water, it is bobbing at that 1000 level. i think its called ""specific gravity""."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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"thats a brewers or wine makers hydrometer that you are using. you need an alcoholometer. which is used after distilling--The item you have now measures potential alcohol in wort or wine must. I have 2 for more accuracy but the less expensive one is fine http://www.brewhaus.com/Alcohol...r-30cm-Premium-P960.aspxhttp://www.brewhaus.com/Profess...eter-30-60-P962C102.aspx"
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