My first run on my first still

270 mins
Serves 1
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84200

Directions

  1. 1Perform a vinegar and water cleaning run for 4 hours.
  2. 2Perform a vinegar and water cleaning run for 4 hours.
  3. 3Perform a vinegar and water cleaning run for 4 hours.
  4. 4Set up the still with an Anvil Foundry 6.5 gallon boiler and an Aliexpress 2" stainless reflux still, including a 200 mm dephlegmator, 400 mm shotgun condenser, sight glass, and a 500 mm tall extension packed with stainless steel scrubbers and copper mesh.
  5. 5Set up the still with an Anvil Foundry 6.5 gallon boiler and an Aliexpress 2" stainless reflux still, including a 200 mm dephlegmator, 400 mm shotgun condenser, sight glass, and a 500 mm tall extension packed with stainless steel scrubbers and copper mesh.
  6. 6Set up the still with an Anvil Foundry 6.5 gallon boiler and an Aliexpress 2" stainless reflux still, including a 200 mm dephlegmator, 400 mm shotgun condenser, sight glass, and a 500 mm tall extension packed with stainless steel scrubbers and copper mesh.
  7. 7Load the boiler with 19 liters (5 gallons) of birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash.
  8. 8Load the boiler with 19 liters (5 gallons) of birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash.
  9. 9Load the boiler with 19 liters (5 gallons) of birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash.
  10. 10Turn on the boiling with a 120 volt/1600 watt element at 100% power.
  11. 11Turn on the boiling with a 120 volt/1600 watt element at 100% power.
  12. 12Turn on the boiling with a 120 volt/1600 watt element at 100% power.
  13. 13After about 30 minutes, turn on the water pump for the 65-liter recycling water cooling tank with two frozen 3.7L/1 gallon water jugs.
  14. 14After about 30 minutes, turn on the water pump for the 65-liter recycling water cooling tank with two frozen 3.7L/1 gallon water jugs.
  15. 15After about 30 minutes, turn on the water pump for the 65-liter recycling water cooling tank with two frozen 3.7L/1 gallon water jugs.
  16. 16Open the water valve 100% to the dephlegmator but keep it closed for the product condenser.
  17. 17Open the water valve 100% to the dephlegmator but keep it closed for the product condenser.
  18. 18Open the water valve 100% to the dephlegmator but keep it closed for the product condenser.
  19. 19Allow the top column temperature to reach 60C/140F in approximately 30-45 minutes.
  20. 20Allow the top column temperature to reach 60C/140F in approximately 30-45 minutes.
  21. 21Allow the top column temperature to reach 60C/140F in approximately 30-45 minutes.
  22. 22Open the valve for the product condenser to 100%.
  23. 23Open the valve for the product condenser to 100%.
  24. 24Open the valve for the product condenser to 100%.
  25. 25After about another 30 minutes, begin collecting fore shots (100 ml, light blue/green, smelling of methanol).
  26. 26After about another 30 minutes, begin collecting fore shots (100 ml, light blue/green, smelling of methanol).
  27. 27After about another 30 minutes, begin collecting fore shots (100 ml, light blue/green, smelling of methanol).
  28. 28After collecting Jar #1, reduce the power to 90% and turn the water valve for the dephlegmator down to 80%, keeping water flow to the product condenser at 100% for most of the run.
  29. 29After collecting Jar #1, reduce the power to 90% and turn the water valve for the dephlegmator down to 80%, keeping water flow to the product condenser at 100% for most of the run.
  30. 30After collecting Jar #1, reduce the power to 90% and turn the water valve for the dephlegmator down to 80%, keeping water flow to the product condenser at 100% for most of the run.
  31. 31Every 30 minutes, turn the dephlegmator water valve up to 100% until the column temp drops 1-2 C, then close it back down to 80% to observe reflux.
  32. 32Every 30 minutes, turn the dephlegmator water valve up to 100% until the column temp drops 1-2 C, then close it back down to 80% to observe reflux.
  33. 33Every 30 minutes, turn the dephlegmator water valve up to 100% until the column temp drops 1-2 C, then close it back down to 80% to observe reflux.
  34. 34Monitor the spirit coming off the product condenser at 24-25C/76-78F, collecting it as constant drops/broken stream.
  35. 35Monitor the spirit coming off the product condenser at 24-25C/76-78F, collecting it as constant drops/broken stream.
  36. 36Monitor the spirit coming off the product condenser at 24-25C/76-78F, collecting it as constant drops/broken stream.
  37. 37Change ice jugs in the water tank once during the run as the temperature rises.
  38. 38Change ice jugs in the water tank once during the run as the temperature rises.
  39. 39Change ice jugs in the water tank once during the run as the temperature rises.
  40. 40Shut down the still when the boiler temperature reaches 100C/212F and the product begins to smell like tomato paste.
  41. 41Shut down the still when the boiler temperature reaches 100C/212F and the product begins to smell like tomato paste.
  42. 42Shut down the still when the boiler temperature reaches 100C/212F and the product begins to smell like tomato paste.
  43. 43Take a 25 ml sample from the start of Jar #3 and proof it down to 40% ABV for testing.
  44. 44Take a 25 ml sample from the start of Jar #3 and proof it down to 40% ABV for testing.
  45. 45Take a 25 ml sample from the start of Jar #3 and proof it down to 40% ABV for testing.

Ingredients

  • 19 liter birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash
  • 19 liter birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash
  • 19 liter birdwatchers 10.1% ABV wash
  • vinegar and water
  • vinegar and water
  • vinegar and water
  • 100 ml Fore Shot
  • 100 ml Fore Shot
  • 100 ml Fore Shot
  • 400 ml Jar #1
  • 400 ml Jar #1
  • 400 ml Jar #1
  • 350 ml Jar #2
  • 350 ml Jar #2
  • 350 ml Jar #2
  • 600 ml Jar #3
  • 600 ml Jar #3
  • 600 ml Jar #3
  • 225 ml Jar #4
  • 225 ml Jar #4
  • 225 ml Jar #4
  • 25 ml sample from the start of jar #3
  • 25 ml sample from the start of jar #3
  • 25 ml sample from the start of jar #3
  • 19 liter birdwatchers 11% ABV batch
  • 19 liter birdwatchers 11% ABV batch
  • 19 liter birdwatchers 11% ABV batch

Equipment

Anvil Foundry 6.5 gallon boilerAliexpress 2" stainless reflux still200 mm dephlegmator400 mm shotgun condensersight glass500 mm tall extension packed with alternating 100% stainless steel scrubbers and 100% pure copper meshwater pump65 liter recycling water cooling tankfrozen 3.7L/1 gallon water jugs120 volt/1600 watt elementgraduated cylinderpond pump (1000 lph/264 gph)13 mm/1/2 inch T fitting5 mm ID/8 mm OD linesneedle valvesdigital thermometertemp probessimple/radiator fan setup with soft copper line loop on a box fan

Tips

  • Take better notes during the run with times, temps, and settings.
  • Get smaller cuts jars (around 250 ml) for more precise cuts.
  • Consider adjustments to the cooling system, potentially adding another pond pump for the dephleg or a radiator fan setup.
  • Concentrate on takeoff speeds and cuts, rather than solely relying on temperature readings.
  • Get familiar with the smells and tastes of your runs.
  • Avoid tinkering with the reflux condenser (RC) water mid-run; find a balance of water vs. power and stick to it.
  • Maintain a constant water temperature.
  • Consider adding another 500mm packed column with insulation for better separation.
  • Be careful not to rush heating up to avoid puking and scorching, especially without anti-foaming agents or proper degassing.