 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/16/2007(UTC)
Posts: 27
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"I received the Easy Still and did a Water Only run last night
So far So good
Unit looks sturdy and well made
The Water run took a long time, which indicates that the Mods for alcohol were indeed done. I started it at 8pm and at 5:30 am it was still running but almost complete. I stopped it then as I was getting ready to go to work. I wanted to see if it would shut off by itself but no matter as I would never leave unattended when doing an alcohol run.
Now on to the real test - I will run some Mash through it tonight if possible and report on results."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/16/2007(UTC)
Posts: 27
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"I ran some mash last night and have a bunch of questions
I tested my wash before running and was surprised that it was 10% alcohol - I was expecting it to be higher
Filled the Easy Still to a 1/2 inch below fill line
It was about an hour before seeing any dripping
I collected about 60 ml as a head and kept seperate (15 minutes)- thinking that I would include that with wash on next run
I then collected a 375 ml bottle - which tested at 55% alcohol (30 minutes)
next 375 bottle tested at 45% - (35 Minutes)
I collected about 1/2 of another 375 bottle and it tested below 40% so at that point I shut it off - I noticed that smell changed a little - not a bad smell but different
There was quite a bit of wash left in pot which I discarded when I cleaned it out
Operation of the easy still is extremely easy - I like this method of distillation!
This is the way to go - much better than my attempts at using Pot Still outside. You can still get other stuff done while the easy still is doing it's thing.
I am a little concerned that my wash did not come out right - I used 13.5 lbs of brown sugar and a pint of molasses and 6.5 gallons of water and 1 pack of black label turbo yeast
Should I have put more sugar in?
It stopped bubbling after about a week so I thought things were going good - it never did get a really fierce bubbling even at the start as I have heard others describe.
Should I try to do anything with the wash left in my fermenting tub - there is 3- 4 gallons left in there or should I just do another couple of runs like last one and be happy with about 750 ml of output per run - maybe next wash batch will come out better
What to do with the tails ? (about 40%) put back in next run, drink it or throw it out?
Thanks for the comments and help - Starting to have some fun with this - it was nice to finally get some real output - looking forward to perfecting this art and making some good hooch!"
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 Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 8 post(s)
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How did you check the finished alcohol content after fermentation? Using an alcoholmeter on a fermented wash will not generally give an accurate reading, as there is usually very small amounts of unfermented sugar, as well as carbohydrates (which lend body to the product), both of which increase the density which results in a falsely low reading. The best option is to test the Specific Gravity before and after fermentation, and calculate based on this.
Some will save the tails and re-run this, while most toss it as there is not enough alcohol to justify the effort. The choice is entirely up to you.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/16/2007(UTC)
Posts: 27
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"You are correct in that I used an alcometer
I have the hydrometer too but did not seem to work - sank to bottom - will have to try this again - maybe the glass was not long enough - I was using a really long shot glass to test.
Does my output of less than 1 Liter seem low or is this about right?
I am happy if it tastes good - anyway I am about to put the (2) 375 liter bottles together into a 750 with some essence and oak chips - guidance on how much to use appreciated - I was plannin gon aging for a couple of weeks before drinking it.
I usually drink cheapest rum I can get with diet cola so not looking for a world class product. just like the idea of making it and saving a couple of dollars also a factor."
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 8 post(s)
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I am estimating from your recipe that your fermented abv was somewhere in the 12% mark (at best), as brown sugar is not quite as fermentable as white sugar, and the total volume should be 6.5 gallons, but you said that you used 6.5 gallons of water (therefore a total volume greater than 6.5 gallons). Assuming 3.5L of this in your distiller, you are not terribly far off.
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 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 8
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"Im new to this distilling thing. I like the idea of making my own alcohol. I bought a water distiller online from http://www.webeatprices.com/pro...9d44cf4ace5a3cdff762d403. I heard that you have to make modifications to a water distiller to make it distill alcohol. Is that true? If so, what do I need to modify? Or do I just put my fermented mash in the distiller and distill it like water? Im confused as hell!! Someone please have a guide or help. Thanks"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 86
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"sorry to crush your dreams, but the wattage of a unit that size must be 300 or so. return it and purchase the easystill.
You will never be able to make cuts at 500 watts."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 86
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OK, here is what I would do if it was me. I would go to homedistiller and follow the links page to Harry's library. In there is a book about the doublecoil pot in wide use in EU. I would dis assemble the top add add a doublecoil head to the lid as well as a thermometer, then get a variac or a router speed control to control the temp.
It will take 24hrs maybe to do a 4 liter run but it will be close to a bokakob as far as clean and high % on a single run once you learn how. In all fairness that is what I would do if I already owned a water machine.
In this case it has a plastic top and is not fit for the purpose. Do not use that cheap garbage machine with a plastic lid. Toxic.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Where is the chlorine release valve? does that have to be blocked?
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/9/2007(UTC)
Posts: 10
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"All workable ideas, here are some more options to consider. Sorry never seen the chlorine valve just read about it. Looking at mine there is only a finned colling tube and a fan under the hood. If you find something else thats probobly it. These will require you to investigate your unit further and makes some decisions. Heat ring type and size and mounting method. Same with fan. You can get a 3 contact heat ring that can be configures for 100% of rated wattage or 50% or 25%. (search Heat Ring) read on. http://www.heatersplus.com/ring.htmhttp://www.chromalox.com/products/prodinfo/en/a.htmlhttp://shopping.yahoo.com/searc...ncation=1&sem=googlehttp://www.emotorstore.com/prod..._E_251_A_productID_E_402good luck"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 86
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"I believe that someone is trying thier best to hawk inferior water machines that cannot be turned into distillers due to the plastic dome tops.
Go to Homedistiller and read everything they say about plastic in distillers. This is toxic and should in no way be encouraged.
DO NOT attempt to alter this inferior model. It is in no way the same as an easystill."
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