I just finished my first run. I used a basic sugar wash. Everything seemed fine uo to the point of distillation. Ran a reflux setup taking my time from the start. Held temperature perfectly and never jumped above 78C. Problem is the smell and taste. Smells terrible and tastes worse!! I tossed the first 100ml wic smelled even worse but can't seem to find anywhere in this forum where it describes the same. Again, wash was exactly as it is descibed here many times. Took 12 hours to run and refluxed as suggested. Is the wash supposed to be crystal clear? Mine sat for a week and never got that way. Going to cut to 50% and run through carbon to see if this helps. Any advise is greatly appreciated!

"You need to strip it first - gets the nastiness out. Strip in pot mode & then run your strip in reflux for the high abv. Cut this stuff you've collected with at least 50% water & rerun it.

You don't think the vodka distillers run their stuff multiple times just for good pr do you."

"Bayou
Yes. It was a standard turbo 48 sugar wash. I let it sit for over a week to clear. I will wait longer next time.

Ratflinger
I was thinking that I should definitely cut this and re-run. Also, I think that I will do a stripping run from here on out. I was just under the impression that I could do a single slow reflux and get the same result.

Just me
Yes, I did seperate but they all have the same result.

All
I am planning on cutting what I have (like Ratflinger says), running a second wash, stripping it and then combining the two for a final reflux. Does this sound like a good idea?"

Keep checking your ABV. Most stop around 25 to 30%. But use your nose and your hydrometer.

"cpwstill......if a stripping run is in your future so be it, I like slow and steady and thats what it sounds like you did. Now with that said,....you said you tossed the first 100mls. Well thats foreshots -- some washes have 1 or 2 or maybe 3 PINTS of HEADS that need to be put off to the side also. And you will find that the term clear is a conundrum. It wont be as clear as your distillate --you know like water. but what you are after is all the solids (leftover yeast hulls and carcasses) to be settled out. Thats what we mean by cleared. Some washes may be clearer than others but....... I hope you get my meaning.
Oh and are segregating all your cuts -- try going with 200-300mls per container and give it time to air, then givera a good sniff to see where your cuts should be made. And you may have 10 or 15 jars lined up. Hope this helps cause it no fun when it dont work."

"Everyone that has been helping me. Thank you!!! I completed my combined, finish reflux run. I have to say that I am happy with the end result. After I cut it to approximately 100 proof I am certain it will be very smooth. I am just slightly confused on two things. My stripping run still took a long time, 6 hours, and just didn't seem to go as I have read so many times on this forum. Should I just be running the temp at full blast and pulling off everything that comes off? Won't I get a lot of water? Or should I keep it under 100 celcius to avoid this? How long should I expect a 25L suger wash to take during the stripping run? I'm not really in a hurry, I just want to compare it with others experiences.
Also, I had a terrible time with the cooling. Has anyone ever used a chiller from an injection molding machine to chill the water?"