StillSmart

kale sugar wash, 2 gallons of 35% from a stripping run.....going through the T500 to make vodka....do I make cuts or is it all good?

If you have sense, then you will make cuts.
Read what other T500 users have to say on here.

Just sayin'.

Robert.

I've only used mine once and I made basic cuts of 500ml each. The instructions say there's no need - to just chuck it through. To do this will of course make the entire batch a compromise taste because my cuts were drastically different in taste. Simple. If you're after absolute quality make cuts and keep the stuff you like as vodka etc, flavour other cuts, throw some back in to your next run. That's all my findings from 1 run with the t500, making my first cuts. I found filtering makes a huge difference to be rid of unwanted background flavours but I haven't done a double distillation yet. I hope that will be better still.

Good luck!

While the yeast is making you the Ethanol that you want, it is also making other compounds which are not as desirable.

When you put the wash in the still these compounds are all mixed up, when they come out of the still the come out in order. This gives you the ideal oppurtunity to select the compounds that you want to drink.

I will guarantee with any wash that one of the first compounds that come off the still is Acetone - nail varnish remover. It's up to you wether or not you leave the Acetone in the distillate or not. I prefer not too and collect the first 100ml and throw it down the drain. It's so easy it does not make any sense not to do it?

OK so anyone who values there health and removes the Acetone makes a "Cut". You may want to consider also cutting compounds that will give you a headache, or taste awful - that is entirly up to you.

Have fun.

well said YBH. The "experts" will tell you that the T500
produces no heads or tails. (!!!!???? WOTTT)
Its the same as any other still. Its very good
(in my opinion) but you need to make cuts on
your spirit run to get the best you can.

cheers ,will keep around the middle 50% for vodka and save the rest for next spirit run.

That is a good starting point.
Enjoy that product.
Consider where your next efforts take you.
There is a learning curve here, advice helps, but in the end it is experience that takes you where you want to go.
And personal taste.
Your tastes may differ from those of others.
That counts for nothing, if you are producing safely.
Stay safe,enjoy.

Robert.

Hi everyone.

So I did two runs already with t500. Overall I happy with everything, but have some questions for experts here.

So runs was 25l with 5kg sugar using turbo clear and turbo 24 hours. With carbon (I know now that some of you will say that is useless, but like a beginner I just follow instructions ) Both runs gave me about 3l product of 93-93%.

Every time I throw out first 200mls (not really throw, I found that it cleans windows very well )

1 question: As far as I read in forum, tails starts when alcohol start tonrun lower than 30%, but in my reflux it just stops dripping at 93%. Does it mean that mean that I dont get tails?

2 question: what is your opinion about first 200mls taking of. In general to much, to less. And just to be clear, if I plan to so a second distill, should I throw away on first and second distills or second or first?

So much for now, I bet I will have more to ask, also to not ask same question 5 times I look and read here a lot, but just pointed out things are not 100% clear for me. Many thanks for answers. Sorry for gramma or way of writing, english is not my first language but i try to do my best
Cheers!

Hi,

I'm on expert so hopefully someone else can offer a better reply:

My T500 does the same thing - the run just stops, still at 93% but it definitely stops. As I make cuts I can tell you that the quality at the end is a bit ropey so I'd say it's fair to call it Tails. At the end of the day the stuff at the start and the end isn't as good as the stuff in the middle but you can add to the middle to create 'character' in some of the stronger flavoured drinks (rums and whiskies).

If I don't make the cuts the quality would be compromised through the run...it might be the case that this is okay for what you want but I am LOVING how smooth my vodka, gin and light rums are.

I mix some heads and hearts elements to make my bourn ons up. I'm still experimenting though but am pretty much liking everyrhing so far!

I k

Another queation by non expierenced
If i do 2x25 washes same eaat same amount of sugar and et. Do two striping runs. And on a spirit run i mix both results from striping run. Will my heads and tales be double or it doesnt work this way?

Yes it does work like that. Double.

Thanks for an answer. That wasnt in t500 manual. As there were nothing about heads hearts and tails. This forum prevented me from so much of hangover

domasj, I am trying to ensure that you understand.

Mash is correct,double the wash volume = double the Heads and Tails.

Your previous questions.
1. Tails starting at 30%
This forum was started for people running an Air Still/Smart Still.
Such a still does produce Tails at around 30%.
A T500 will produce them at 90+%

2. Window cleaner. 200 ml from the first (strip run) is reasonable.
It won't kill you if you drink it in moderation, from a sugar wash, but it doesn't taste good, and could give you a big headache.
You do not need to discard it from the spirit run.

If you choose to collect Heads and Tails until you have enough to dilute to below 30% and run them again, you ought to get a few more litres of drinkable product.

As you have probably learnt by now, collect your spirit in small vessels.

HTH

Robert.