Alcohol Cleaning Run : Cleaning A New Still
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- A new still should always be cleaned before running product through it. It's a 3 part process. in this video, I do the final step, the sacrificial alcohol cleaning run.
The alcohol cleaning run ensures that we thoroughly clean the still preparing it for production (WOOOHOOO!). It's also a great time to get to know your still a little. Use it as a practice run for the real deal!
I'm loosely following this guide written by kiwistill.
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Hard to believe how far you’ve gone in just three years
You've come a long way in 4 years, Jesse!
Great Job. My first run will be in a couple weeks. I have to get some tug welding done. I have a similar keg and fittings as you. This is so exciting and thanks for the tutorial
Cheers! Been doing lots of reading on forums and watching a BUNCH of your vids. Should be getting my ccvm still soon!
I love the fact that I watched one of your vids last night and was like I wonder… boom of course you have a cleaning video! Perfect cheers cobba
Just finished my latest still, 3 stainless beerkegs welded into a single hollow column with a slim keg on top for a head cap, with head space it has about 70gal capacity
The warning at 9:30 should be taken seriously. I kept on reading these warnings, and in the back of my mind I was like, yeah, yeah i know. this warning is more aimed at distillers hiding in the bushes in America etc...
That was until I had an eye opener on my own still. I Had some ethanol that ran down the side of the boiler to the bottom where I fired with LP Gas. My focus was there, i saw the flash of blue flames, killed the gas, and hosed down the still all the way down to 30 degrees. I fixed the problem, then had to start again with heating it so that I can start again. So these things can happen at any time, to anyone. Not just backwoods distillers.
I have in the mean time decided to not work with LP gas again (Except for beer making, and bbq).
I'm in the process of designing a new induction based boiler to run my 2 stills.
Stay Safe
Yeah agreed man. Easy to say " that won't happen to me etc".
Congrats Jesse..! You are now just one step behind where you can enjoy the fruits of your
labor...the end product. Thanks for mentioning the safety aspects as well, it can't be stressed enough. It's mandatory for the new distiller to know about the risks and how to avoid them, by a few and simple countermeasures.
You ran your still in pot still mode for this cleaning run. You'll discover the takeoff rate will decrease the moment you run it in CCVM mode. However, the ABV will rise significantly, too.
As you've probably noticed insulating your boiler will cause it to come to temperature faster. So if you're going to run it in CCVM mode (and I think it won't take a long time), your column will definitely benefit from insulation too. It will help you to run a much more stable run and to maintain the delicate equilibrium at the start of the run.
Tip: Foam insulation, as the plumbers use for the pipes, works perfectly for the column. I don't know the English word for it, but it's something like this: www.google.dk/search?q=r%C3%B8rsk%C3%A5l&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOvbTHsJrVAhUFlxQKHQmFDWsQ_AUIBigB&biw=1920&bih=988
The Rockwool things will work, but the foam is really the best option to keep your hands from itching.
Happy stilling..!
Thanks man. Yeah felt pretty good to be running alcohol (even if its not drinkable haha).
Cool I will look into the foam! I had wondered about the best way to do it. That link looks perfect. Off to the plumbers store :)
That's a good setup everything is up off the floor and easy to watch. So adjust the column to give you room for a bigger jar. There's a clamp there and it's not a welded in place. Loosen it and give yourself a little room. 👍👍👍
+Reese Wawarosky good point man. May do that for the next one. Ideally I want something a little more permanent than the barrel though haha
YAAAY!!! So glad it's working so smoothly. Really envious of that sweet rig...and the fact that it's legal for you, lol:-)> Can't wait to see what you're going to run for the inaugural batch!
Thanks man!
Yeah, we have it good here. Decided to go with a simple recipe that many have tried and loved. Also had the developer of the recipe off to help out which is pretty sweet of him!
I used cheap cooking wine for my cleaning run. Because my equipment is all glassware, I wasn't worried about the salt. Get yourself an IR thermometer. You can instantly take a temp reading on any part of the system.
Cheers mate. I have a IR for the pizza oven. I have been using it like that a little. Would be nice to have a heads up and hands free display for reflux though :)(
My solution for the keg to column tri clamp gasket was to use a razor blade to slice a normal gasket in half. It was just thin enough to get the clamp on, and I retained the ridge on one side.
Nice one. really happy for you. make sure you get containers that are uniform for your runs. That way will make it easier for y ok at the end and learning to make your cuts. pint mason jars work great. also, remember that temp will influence your reading on your hydrometer. great run.
Thanks, dude.
And thanks for the tips! I just kinda grabbed what I had available haha. I'm slowly building up a collection of random glassware though. For this, I was using a calculator to calibrate back to 20c.
welcome to the club. pretty cool feeling when you make your first run. here's to many more too
. . . not there yet, so I will take a rain check ;)
If he's using it in CC mode, making neutrals, I wonder how much need there is for collecting separately. Once I've thrown out 4 Shots, I pretty much don't see a difference in flavor when I run a Boka with a sugar wash....
I've found the bran helps to hold past together so I've moved to wholemeal flour when I need a impromptu gasket.
Hey brother like your video but one thing I saw you need to do is to clear your mash. If you put clody mash in your still you'll get a musty yeasty smell and taste. Good luck and thanks for the videos
Yeah!
Can the first stripping run from a sour mash be used as a sacrificial run or is it too important to the sour mash schedule? Just trying to think of ways to not really waste a run since you have run a sour mash through several cycles anyways.
I wish you were around when I was first building mine! But hey, there's some satisfaction in doing things the hard way and learning as you go. How much ABV change did you see when you kicked up the heat? How long did you run and how much product did you get? did you try to make practice cuts? That will be a valuable skill to start practicing ASAP. Keep a nice log of each pint (400ml) you take off along with the ABV/temp. maybe note the smell. Get familiar with heads/hearts/tails. I still feel like I'm still in deep water making cuts but... getting better. I guess I mean to say, every run should be a learning experience. Good video! excited to see some final product (or at least some stripped product next time. :)!
+dannalbob DEFINITELY worth learning the hard way sometimes.
I decided to not really worry about trying cuts etc too much. If I wasn't recording I would have for sure. But that down time is when I am able to get video stuff sorted. I kept sniffing it just outa interest though haha. From memory.....and this could be wildly wrong haha....about 2 hrs. 3L ish at about 46%. And another 3L at 25%.
So cool to see your origin story
NICE JOB HELPING ME ALOT
+walt braden mate, your on an binge! Haha
I generally just buy a couple of half gallon bottles of the cheapest vodka I can find and run that through for cleaning. Works great and I don't have to waste a mash that might be something amazing.
Steamboat running for the first time yesterday - growing confidence around here... time for some 551 and a bucket of sugarwash....
You're right.
Ethanol and especially the vapors are VERY flammable and can be explosive.
ie V-2 Rocket Fuel.
Though, fortunately ethanol fires can be put out with water unlike gasoline/petrol, oil, etc.
Couldnt find part 1. Did you use a vinegar soak?
Hello very great video do you have to the alcohol sacrifice run
Yeah I really would recommend it :)
Tig welding. Fat finger. I have 2 2k elements by the way. I think I will use a PID
Do u have to do a cleaning run on a still spirits air still plz jessie
Sir how can i get rid of fusel alchohol and any bad smell in my unit its glassware does this vinegar can do the magic it smells like wet dog and even wont get off of my hands eighter
Hey Jessie, if there’s no flux on the still like a Vevor, is a sacrificial run necessary?
If my output/product is warm coming out does that mean my condenser sucks?
I use a submersible water pump to cycle water and the water comes out the other end hot as well. Is it supposed to? I think you said your output water also comes out warm.
It's unfortunately illegal to destill where I live. I have to enjoy your videos instead. Thanks for making them! You did taste it, though ;)
Speaking on the safety note, are you familiar with blow off valves? All the stills i own i have 5 pound pressure release valves put on to the lids of my boilers. Now i've never had any problems where my still builds up pressure but i have heard of people who put there packing in to tight or to much and the still blowing up but i just thought id add to that, they only run $25 and if you buy a still you normally can have them put that on for you. Ive had my stills for about 7 years now and never needed it but you can never be to careful.
+Scotty Weißmüller yep I know exactly what you mean.
Something to think about for sure, I do do the "breathing test" on my packing and have no mechanical way to block anything off (valves etc). So I guess that makes me feel a little better haha
If i combine metho vinegar and water would that work instead of wasting a wash?
First run on alcohol run in your lawn mower
You said something about an acid clean or wash in one of these new still build videos. What did you use and can you elaborate on it or point me to that particular video.
Hi silly he means viniger yes btw six months on how did you go did you still any thing?🥛🥛🥛🥛
Congratulations Jesse!
+1 What Nuntius01 said. Read up on making cuts. Smell each cut.
Your nose will tell you what are fores (first 275 to 300ml), heads, hearts and tails.
You may want to start a couple more tried and true recipes. Do a stripping run, then a spirit run. If you wake up early enough, you may be able to do both in one day. Your boiler drain is a real bonus for accomplishing that.
Cheers :)
I have a sneaky plan in place for a tried and true recipe next week. The creator of the recipe has helped me out a fair bit so pretty keen to get onto it!
Nice.
And remember to always keep some backset. (Freeze in bucket) Add that to the next ferment, for nutrients, and souring. Think UJSSM, or Sweetfeed - I highly recommend. 4th to 8th generations get very yummy.
Wicked job man. Curious, what kind of electric heater are you using?
+Matthew Normand thanks dude. You mean like the elements in the keg?
Yeah, I guess that largely answers my question haha but do you have any tips on wiring up the internal elements? And maybe a link to the type your using? Thanks!
+Matthew Normand ah yup. The ones I had were pretty easy to wire. Neutral + were interchangeable.
Just MAKE SURE that the whole thing is grounded. So ideally a ground bolt welded right onto the keg.
I user cheap water elements from Ali Express. Will have a poke around and see if I can find the listing again.
Just remember that these are serious voltages. So you may want to have a link about at least getting someone to check your work before firing it up for the first time.
Awesome, thanks for the heads up. Your videos are incredibly useful and well done. You'll be seeing more comments/questions from me in the future!
My first still was a five litre pressure cooker from thrift and some copper pipe from ahem and into the mop bucket for a condenser with flour gaskets. Worked a treat and wasnt using it for cleaner no way😁
Nice I made one similar recently.
which does soaking the brim of your hat in it improve - the hat, or the juice
a little of column A, a little of B
So if I can get some cheap vodka or whatever on my hands, I should buy that for the sacrificial run? Also, how much of the still should it fill? not sure how much vodka I'd need to buy to waste
porky depending on the volume of your pot, the wash should minimum 8% abv and would need to water down the vodka,
Depending on where ur at in ur run the color of the flame should be blueish and u should be able to see it no matter what
+Adam Wilson in daylight? Not so much haha, but I hear what you are saying ;)
Quick tip, test the temp of the column starting at the top. hahaha. many times ive burnt my hand starting at the bottom. lol
+Jesse Pearce now that seems like good advice. The sort of thing that I will remember now that you said it. But would have taken a few burns to teach my self haha
Yea it took me a few. Hahaha.
BTW, i keep forgetting to mention, or maybe i have, im Tok_Shiner, lol
Ahhhh! I had a hunch you were one of the crew from there. But wasn't too sure haha.
does this still need to be done on a tig welded stainless still?? no flux used anywhere
Yeah, I would say do it on any new still
@@StillIt damn I was looking forward to my first batch
@@StillIt buddy gave me a shiload of heads to run so after that I was able to jump straight into my UJSSM gen 1 without any waste
why shouldn't you operate a still in dim light or strategically placed led? wouldn't it be better to spot flames?
Because you tend to not be able to see what you are doing
Would you ever run a fully copper system if you could?
Yep, I would give it a go for sure.
Once I have all of the basic content covered off (popular recipes etc) I plan on getting into experimenting with things. And comparing. Full copper vs Full stainless would be pretty interesting blind taste tests I think :)
nice job, i have a 2gl. pot still, 1st run did was with water then vinegar then water then some gal. of mad dog 2020, then real cheep booz ,the last thing i can was sugar wash,one was made with trubo yeast one with bakers yeast,i cant seem to get the yeast tast out ,, any who thank for the show
+richard y. Ah really? That's interesting dude. Is the yeast taste kinda like a Subway shop? Or more funky?
with bread yeast kind of funky with trubo yeast it like old shocks
+richard y. Old socks, wet dog and wet paper/cardboard?
This may be a little late but if you filter your wash it will take out that yeast taste.
@@coreyblackburn9289 hey thank you lol i did figered how to clean it up got real good at make my home made booz,, got real good at drinking it too,, had to give it all up olol but thanks my friend,,
Running my hand up and down my column because I was nervous?? Words of a new disstiller...moonshine porn is new to me..keep it comming😁🇺🇸💖
Could you just skip the vinegar run and do a full alcohol run?
Again, delayed questions/comments but I'm looking at a stainless steel and glass rig that's somewhat a pre-fab. Would you (or anyone) want to be as thorough in cleaning runs on stainless? thoughts/comments/questions?
I would dude. The cleaning is more for the process than the materials. Still use flux etc.
thanks!
so what is the cleaning procedure before each run?
Most runs I don't clean before hand. Give it a good rinse out after the run.
I will do a soak and scrub before my next neutral. And perhaps be a little more aggressive after the rum runs.
so you only do a vinegar, sacrificial alcohol runs once? and then its good to go with just a usual clean and rinse before hand
Use a beer recipe leave out the hoppes you will make a fine drop
Thanks dude :)
Yeah I need to do something just like that soon. So many possibilities now its up and running!
*hops I don’t recognized any spelling other than American
Sugar wash does have an interesting smell.
Yeah, smelled like the best granny smith apple ever haha. Was weird to me that it was coming off before any liquid though. Is that normal?
Yea, I brewed some and we were drinking it just fermented, everyone kept saying it tasted like pears.
What was coming off before liquid?
Just the aroma. Like I could smell it as it was warming up. The column was still cold, I even turned on the condenser just to make sure. Did a full check for leaks etc.
A yea. That should be fairly normal. I mean most things give off a scent when you heat them. I guess some of the left over sugar could be caramelizing.
Is there a way for me to send you a pm?
For sure man. Message me on the back end of the channel. Or flick me a message on facebook if you prefer.
facebook.com/ChaseTheCraft/
Why not just do a double or even triple vinegar run instead of sacrificing your mash?
The idea being that different things will be dissolvable in the different chemicals.
After 2 years now, would you do the same thing if you had a new still to clean ?
Yup. Did pretty much the same thing with the genio
@@StillIt You're the man !
coming around Jesse next thing we know you gonna be swapping recipes
I see my self more as a middle man for recipes, going to be a while before I am innovating haha
On your real run, I'd go slower. Should be hitting about 75-80% ABV
my opinion so don't be jumping me I honestly it might be safer to use a worm instead of a condenser
You, "literally walked into the shed", did you?
BS, I know you tasted a drop or two from your finger tip !!!
Admit it damnit, admit it !!!
Shhhh no one was supposed to know!
@@StillIt -
;)
What are you doing for the first "real" run?
@@StillIt Got 10 gallons of rum wash bubbling now. About another week and I'll strip 7 gallons and then spirit run that with the other 3 gallons.
Hell yes! I really need to do another rum!
I have never understood the logic behind a sacrificial run. If its clean its clean. If it needs it should be done every time. I think its just an old wives tale.