Beginner with a few questions on the air still

[Racker]

Hello all. Tomorrow I will be receiving an air still along with all the other things I need to distil alcohol. I was just going to put my wash through it and then drink it, but I have gathered that this isn't the best practice.

I see alot of people talking about stripping runs and the like. Have read the guide by one of the users here but still have questions.

- For the stripping run, do I just load up my wash, then let it all boil through until there is nothing left?

- once it is stripped, I run it all through the still again, this time identifying fore shots and tails and removing them.

Just a confirmation on whether that's correct would help since I don't want to muck up a 25 litre wash. Posting here rather than homedistiller since everyone there seems like an elitist A-hole. Hope everyone's having a nice day.

[Easydrinker]

Hi, and welcome Racker.
If you haven't yet bought, get organised with a hydrometer for your
wash/brew, and more importantly one specifically for the distilled spirit.
On strip runs distill until the take off is 20-30% with the correct hydrometer.
Experience will teach you to stop sooner rather than later.
Collect your strip and ensure that it is below 30%(add water if needed) and do spirit runs.
Take out your fores,heads and tails and enjoy the hearts.
Heads and tails can be saved for re-runs, heads being the better one to save.
All higher% waste can find a use for lighting BBQ's etc.

Double distilled,(twice through) really is the only way to use an airstill, unless you enjoy rubbish.

Best of luck.

Robert.

[Racker]

I'm sorry for not replying, Robert - I was given no notification. Your advise makes alot of sense. Since my post I have put a sugar wash on, which is currently clearing and going very well I think. Hydrometers were provided in the kit. I'm actually just a student so I've learned to love awful rubbish

I hope to become an excellent distiller, and a prominent member of the forum one day! Many thanks!

- Felix

[Easydrinker]

No problems mate, this is an old school forum, notifications to new posts not being available here.
I have only just retired my carrier pigeons!
Stay safe with the brew, too much heads, drunk and banging headaches.
Too much tails, drunk and the squits.
It would be good to see you hang around.
We are mainly a bunch of old timers, but we know a thing or two, and like to share them.

Robert.

[Racker]

Quick question since we're on the topic. Is it true that a distillate with appropriate cuts can result in a spirit that is virtually hangover free? Now that would make a welcome change from Tesco's own brand

[Easydrinker]

Well, it may depend upon your body's own metabolism...
I am not a good advert for Govt. safe drinking guidelines, as I average around 150 units each week, sometimes a little higher.
These days mostly produced by myself.

But, being a lucky,(or cursed) fecker, I really only had a hangover once, 36 years ago, after celebrating Chinese new year for a whole week in many of my local restuarants.
Mucho cheap label brandy.

I worked in a casino at that time,and my gambling cousins were looking for payback methinks

To get back to your question..
The cuts from the middle of your spirit run, after a strip run, should provide you with the elixer that you seek.
Drunk, NO hangover

Such drinks exist.
Robert

[Pyro]

Hi Racker

Welcome to the hobby and life style. I would stick to the instructions for the first wee while until you get the hang of it. You should be able to produce spirit that will better Tosco’s without any problems.

You will get a lot of help from the folks on this site when you want to try for the advanced stuff. The only extra I would suggest is to get a second brew bin which would give you the opportunity to produce 1 ½ bottles per day almost continuously, which should keep a student or two in booze.

On the question of hangovers, I am led to believe that a sugar wash is less likely to give you a massive hangover as there is less impurities in it, see what others think

[Mash]

a sugar wash is less likely to give you a massive hangover

Yes indeed. That's certainly my understanding.

[Racker]

Thank you all for your input - much appreciated! To be honest I am pretty resilient to hangovers unless i'm really going for it, so mine should be fine.

I thought I liked a drink, but how on earth you manage to drink 150 units a week is beyond me, I'm sure you'd drink me under the table, Easy. And as a matter of fact Pyro, my kit came with two fermentation bins which I was very pleased with. I'll start another wash as soon as I get the ingredients together.

Thanks for the warm welcomes all. Gunna siphon off my wash and put it in the still! Wish me luck!

[Easydrinker]

Best of luck, and stay safe.
Remember,good alchohol is good,bad alcohol is poison.

Robert.