Very interesting putting all the tests together in one presentation. It really demonstrates how overwhelming the learning curve can be for a newb. You break it all down into nice bite sized chunks. Helpful! Thank you, Randy! Very well done!
Hello Randy, I enjoy your videos and I can tell that you love the craft. I need to know if I have a new stainless steel distillation unit do I need to do a “sacrificial run”? When I got it I washed it with soap and water, done a 50/50 vinegar and water run and then washed it with soap and water again, rinsed it and ran some plain water steam through it. I loaded it with mash and it ran crystal clear until it got to 60 proof and then got cloudy. The run started at 125 proof and I kept some that was 90 proof. I stopped the run at 60 proof and cloudy. Just a little advice please?
Hello Randy, I enjoy your videos and I can tell that you love the craft. I need to know if I have a new stainless steel distillation unit do I need to do a “sacrificial run”? When I got it I washed it with soap and water, done a 50/50 vinegar and water run and then washed it with soap and water again, rinsed it and ran some plain water steam through it. I loaded it with mash and it ran crystal clear until it got to 60 proof and then got cloudy. The run started at 125 proof and I kept some that was 90 proof. I stopped the run at 60 proof and cloudy. Just a little advice please?
Hi NealDavid first i think that you cleaned your new still just fine. I think the cloudy came from you got into your tails I collect till 80 proof coming out of spout then go to small cuts you can save the small cuts for the next run I have found after 80 proof / 40 ABV tails will show up soon
@@stillworksandbrewing Thank you sir for the advice. I’m going to continue on with the process. What should I do with the tails and the first 250mls is that my heads or did I let them out with the steam I let off for 10-15 minutes before collecting the 250?
Good overview, Randy. In my experience a spirit refractometer is not accurate compared to a Proof and Trailles hydrometer. I like using them because of convenience and it helps if you calibrate them several times during your run against your spirit hydrometer which in turn needs to be corrected for the temperature of the liquid. I also have found that cheap pH meters are not very accurate and should be re-calibrated frequently against known pH solutions. It’s important to keep the pH meter probe wet with storage solution or it will go bad on you. Cheers, Randy!
Hello Randy. I put my question on someone else’s comment. Sorry about that. I was asking if I need to run a “sacrificial run” on a new stainless steel distillation unit? I washed with Dawn and water, ran a 50/50 vinegar and water run, washed with Dawn and water again, rinsed good and then ran plain water steam through it. I loaded my wash in it ran it, let the steam off between 57* and 64* and then kept 250ml separate. Then I kept 2100ml separate between four jars first one was 125 proof fourth one was 90 proof and at 60 proof it started running cloudy. I stopped there. From heads to fourth jar is crystal clear. Can you advise me on what to do with the spirit? It’s my first run ever but the craft has been running through my Family for well over a hundred years. I’m excited to run my triple great grandpa Woodville “Coon” Ledbetter’s recipe but I need more practice. Thanks for any advice. Keep educating us new guys my Friend.
sacifical run you don't have to I think you'll be ok the first (fore shoots and heads) discard or keep for fire starter the tails save for next run. ok for all the good distillate blend together proof down with clean water I like 80 proof i'm thinking it was a sugar wash you could post flavor it with your favorite berry's just don't worry you are doing fine cheers
Yes, You have to take a Hydrometer reading and Refractometer reading, then you google "online calculator abv from Hydrometer and Refractometer " and you can input the readings to get the ABV.
Very interesting putting all the tests together in one presentation. It really demonstrates how overwhelming the learning curve can be for a newb. You break it all down into nice bite sized chunks. Helpful!
Thank you, Randy! Very well done!
Cheers, I appreciate that
Always good for a refresher tutorial. You regularly remind me of something that I knew, but forgot. Thanks man.
thanks so much
Hello Randy, I enjoy your videos and I can tell that you love the craft. I need to know if I have a new stainless steel distillation unit do I need to do a “sacrificial run”? When I got it I washed it with soap and water, done a 50/50 vinegar and water run and then washed it with soap and water again, rinsed it and ran some plain water steam through it. I loaded it with mash and it ran crystal clear until it got to 60 proof and then got cloudy. The run started at 125 proof and I kept some that was 90 proof. I stopped the run at 60 proof and cloudy. Just a little advice please?
Hello Randy, I enjoy your videos and I can tell that you love the craft. I need to know if I have a new stainless steel distillation unit do I need to do a “sacrificial run”? When I got it I washed it with soap and water, done a 50/50 vinegar and water run and then washed it with soap and water again, rinsed it and ran some plain water steam through it. I loaded it with mash and it ran crystal clear until it got to 60 proof and then got cloudy. The run started at 125 proof and I kept some that was 90 proof. I stopped the run at 60 proof and cloudy. Just a little advice please?
Hi NealDavid first i think that you cleaned your new still just fine. I think the cloudy came from you got into your tails I collect till 80 proof coming out of spout then go to small cuts you can save the small cuts for the next run I have found after 80 proof / 40 ABV tails will show up soon
@@stillworksandbrewing Thank you sir for the advice. I’m going to continue on with the process. What should I do with the tails and the first 250mls is that my heads or did I let them out with the steam I let off for 10-15 minutes before collecting the 250?
Thanks so much
You're welcome
Good overview, Randy. In my experience a spirit refractometer is not accurate compared to a Proof and Trailles hydrometer. I like using them because of convenience and it helps if you calibrate them several times during your run against your spirit hydrometer which in turn needs to be corrected for the temperature of the liquid.
I also have found that cheap pH meters are not very accurate and should be re-calibrated frequently against known pH solutions. It’s important to keep the pH meter probe wet with storage solution or it will go bad on you.
Cheers, Randy!
great point cheers
Hi Randy, what a great video, very helpfull Thank you, your mic sounds a bit funny have you changed it?
no same one
Hello Randy. I put my question on someone else’s comment. Sorry about that. I was asking if I need to run a “sacrificial run” on a new stainless steel distillation unit? I washed with Dawn and water, ran a 50/50 vinegar and water run, washed with Dawn and water again, rinsed good and then ran plain water steam through it. I loaded my wash in it ran it, let the steam off between 57* and 64* and then kept 250ml separate. Then I kept 2100ml separate between four jars first one was 125 proof fourth one was 90 proof and at 60 proof it started running cloudy. I stopped there. From heads to fourth jar is crystal clear. Can you advise me on what to do with the spirit? It’s my first run ever but the craft has been running through my Family for well over a hundred years. I’m excited to run my triple great grandpa Woodville “Coon” Ledbetter’s recipe but I need more practice. Thanks for any advice. Keep educating us new guys my Friend.
Thanks for your time and advise on the other guys comment. I love your content.
sacifical run you don't have to I think you'll be ok the first (fore shoots and heads) discard or keep for fire starter the tails save for next run. ok for all the good distillate blend together proof down with clean water I like 80 proof i'm thinking it was a sugar wash you could post flavor it with your favorite berry's just don't worry you are doing fine cheers
Test sat
cheers
Are there ways to test alcohol if it contains sugar?
Yes, You have to take a Hydrometer reading and Refractometer reading, then you google "online calculator abv from Hydrometer and Refractometer " and you can input the readings to get the ABV.
thanks