I have recently decided that I am going to follow in my grandfather's footsteps and start distilling at home, the only problem is that he passed away last year...
Anything after hearts is tails. You can collect on a reflux run to about 40%. these will have bad odor and taste. You can recycle these into the next wash or...
I'd definitely try turning the heat up a bit, get more product refluxing, my condenser is too hot to touch half way up, and only gets bearable to touch about...
Good guess, but the condenser is getting the vapours, I can feel the heat around the pipe containing the condenser near the bottom, and near the top it gets...
I had a similar problem with purity, turning the heat down and down to see what happened, till eventually nothing came out the column. I found that increasing...
Gavin, What matters is how much heat your condenser is absorbing. A low output coolant temperature may simply mean that there isn't enough heat exchange in...
Thanks for the great explanation So you figure it's my condenser huh? How will I know how much bigger to go? I have used a 1/4" soft copper coil (about 10'...
It does not matter how your reflux is controlled -- LM, VM or CM. What matters is that you have some means - any means - to control the reflux ratio. I agree...
 It depends on what type of still you are using. With a pot still, you will NOT be able to remove the Propanol's totally it's just not that efficient. ...
I've had great success in whiskey production by carfully watching the cuts. I'm trying a vodka wash run this time but haven't seen much info on the cuts. I'm...
Bob, I read your reply to Gavin. Your explanation was very concise and to the point! I now understand the need for insulating the column. My system has been...
Tom, Please see my reply to Gavin, which crossed your inquiry in time. I believe that it answers your question. You are most correct that heat must be...
Hi Gavin, If you got higher proof when your column was uninsulated, then I would say that this is a clear indication that you don't have enough heat removal...
Thanks White bear. I looked it up myself and specifically I meant Propanol-2 with a boiling point of 82.5C. So I understand from Wikipedia that this gets...
Gavin-  attached is the description of Propanols 1 & 2 from Wikipedia. I had to look it up myself to be sure the proper identification. White Bear ... ...
Ok, again there is a mix up in terminology. Forget what I said about higher alcohols, I want to know about the Propanols 1&2, the part that comes of after the...
Bob, Thank you for the detailed explanations. There is one point that you discuss that, although I do it, I do not understand the principle. I am somewhat...
Gavin-  These "Higher Alcohols" or Fore-shots, are poisonous. They contain acetone, phenols, methanol and other nasties in proportion to the type and...
Hi Bob, thanks for the attention on this. Answers are below each question in red To: new_distillers@yahoogroups.com From: bobg542492@... Date: Mon, 30 Apr...
Here are a few suggestions, Gavin: 1. Check that everything is as it should be. Is your column well insulated? Is the packing clean and the vors running...
What do you guys do with your Propanol portions as they come off the still. Are these supposed to be drinkable? Or do they get used as weed killer? I have mine...
Lowering the power did not seem to make a difference. I am now collecting the distillate at about 87%. Maybe it's just near the end of the run, but the temp...
Please let us know how turning down the heat turned out. As to your question about reflux, the answer depends upon what type of reflux management system you...
How long does it take for sodium bicarbonate to turn the acetic acid back into ethanol? If I added some in the afternoon, will it be ready by morning?...
You definitely talk good sense mister. Yes, I did think that more heat would equal more product coming out. And I did know that it has to be counteracted with...
This is just a guess, Gavin, but I'd say that you are puting in too much heat, and/or not providing enough reflux and/or enough heat removal in your condenser....
Ok guys, I need to get some reflux column experts to weigh in on this one. I built an offset reflux head. It's about 6' tall and 2" thick. I'm using an...
