StillSmart

You're welcome

AidanMac

Still Brewing wrote: I'm surprised the still didn't blow up all over the kitchen.

They are perfectly safe, BUT they will blister exposing the inner metal core.

Easydrinker wrote: .....
Ex'ing a Turbo supplier,(try and resist it,lentil,[TP,or many others] is cheaper and cleaner).

+1 lentil or a wheat wash [my fave] are much better.

Thanks for all the replies gents, much appreciated.

Finally managed to finish my last stripping run this evening. Can't remember or find the post I followed at the moment but I took 1.5 litres each time from the original 4 litres of wash.

I now have 9 litres of spirit with an ABV of 34% stored in various jars and bottles, all of which are glass, compared to my first mistake of keeping the first runnings in plastic. For a first timer does this ABV sound about right or have I messed up from the start.

Now comes the part that I have been dreading in parts. I can't seem to get my head around the heads, hearts and tails part, especially when you have to collect 100ml at a time.

I think I will continue reading more before I attempt the next stages.

OK,you have done OK so far,stop sweating!
Your results sound good so far.
You may have become confused with what you have been told here,or read here.
It is not all collected in 100Ml portions.
Read the link below,your stuff is safe until you know what to do next,any questions,just ask.

Robert.


download/file.php?id=320

Go the the Resources topic, "Distilling Booklets" thread and download the "Spirit Cuts for Beginners" booklet. You should gat all your collected distillate into a single container and bring the volume up to 12 litres so you can do three runs.

I know this would generally be considered a mortal sin but, throw 3 litres of water into a fermenter then the 9 litres of low wines you have and mix well. Your low wines will all be of the same strength to facilitate consistent cuts. You then return the 12 litres to glass containers for safe storage. A few minutes in a plastic fermenter won't do any harm. It's worth considering getting a suitable glass or Stainless Steel container for this purpose as you will need it again and again. A second hand Cornelius Keg is ideal and can be had fairly cheaply too.

The diagram in the Airstill Guide gives a visual indication of a spirit run and the Spirit Cuts booklet will give you more specific information to allow you progress the next stage.

If at anytime you are not happy with your progress making cuts just turn off the power,let the Airstill cool a little then toss what you've collected back into the still and start again - no problems!

AidanMac

Excellent advice once again, thankyou.

Had a bad day today so the low wines have stayed in various glass jars and bottles since last night. Found some glass demijohns in the shed earlier so going to give them a scrub and bring em back to new to hold any distilled wash.

I will now start looking at the pdf's mentioned and maybe start the second part of the process tomorrow.

Thanks all.

Quick question

I'm taking AidenMac's advice by adding water to bulk up the low wines to 12 litres.

Is normal tap water ok to use, or is it better to use supermarket water in the 5 litre plastic square bottles.

Cheers

If you can drink your tap water it's OK.

Thanks Mashy.

Tap water is lovely down here in the South West, so it will save me a trip to the supermarket.

Cheers