Quick question about Vapor

PirateShiner

Hey Everyone,
I’m looking for some info…. I’m sorry if the topic was covered but I couldn’t find the answer I was looking for through a forum search.
I did my first run if apple brandy yesterday on my still. It’s a 5 gallon vevor still. I’ve read and been told to stop Vapor leaks in connections because the alcohol Vapor is explosive. I did notice a steady, not heavy Vapor coming out of the drip spout at the end of my condenser. Is this Vapor any different than anything that would leak further up the line?  Should I be concerned? I was running in my basement with the small windows open, but I was worried that if my furnace kicked on I’d be in trouble.
Thanks for the help!

OtisT

If it’s alcohol vapor coming out, it is flammable and a danger because it could ignight.    If your condenser is cool, cool smoke, what you are likely seeing is smoke from a scorch.  Something burning on your element or wall of your boiler.   That is not dangerous but it does make product taste like shit.  
OtisOtis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser:  Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast:  Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood:  Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels:  Badmo Barrels

PirateShiner

It wasn’t smoke, more like a steam

PirateShiner

I’m gonna assume because my condenser water was warm it was alcohol Vapor that wasn’t condensed

IdontKnow

If your water to the condenser wasn't cold enough or flowing enough that would allow non condensed alcohol vapor to escape. You would need to increase the flow, decrease the temp of the water entering or even slow down the output of the still to take care of this. As stated already alcohol vapor is very flammable. Not worth tempting fate.Accepting failure is the quickest way to learn.

OtisT

I’m gonna assume because my condenser water was warm it was alcohol Vapor that wasn’t condensedI would expect a condenser that is not knocking down all of the vapor to be hot, not warm.   Here is a test for you.   Alcohol vapor is invisible for the most part, and will be a minimum of 170 degrees F.   Smoke is not necessarily hot. Stick your finger in the smoke.  Does the smoke burn you?  If not, then it is not alcohol vapor.     
Another clue.  Alcohol vapor is heavier than air.   Does the smoke go straight down or float around?  OtisOtis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser:  Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast:  Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood:  Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels:  Badmo Barrels

Steve-Broady

If you’re using that Vevor still as it was sold, then you’re probably going to struggle to condense the vapor in the woefully inadequate condenser. I had one, and I quickly decided that it had to go. I could not get enough water flow through the open pot to keep the worm cool enough at anything abound -maybe- half power on my kitchen stove.
I strongly suggest looking at better condenser designs and build one for yourself. You’ll learn a lot, if you’re not already familiar with soldering and plumbing, and you’ll be able to make a far superior product.
This is what I did to mine:

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Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

elbono

If it's like the amazon still I started with it has a copper coil in a pot maybe around 1/2 gallon capacity. It is very limited in how much it can condense.
These types of stills get very little respect on this forum for lots of good reasons. I think the tiny condenser capacity actually helped me initially, it forced me to run so slowly that smearing was pretty much impossible.A wise man never makes a mistake. He has many learning experiences.

PirateShiner

So turn down the heat? Low and slow like bbq lol

Steve-Broady

Yes, exactly. It sounds to me like you were overloading your condenser and pushing vapor through it. Then down the heat until you can condense everything. All that vapor in the air is doing nothing but making a fire hazard and getting you drunk, as well as costing you the product that you worked hard to make.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

PirateShiner

Yes, exactly. It sounds to me like you were overloading your condenser and pushing vapor through it. Then down the heat until you can condense everything. All that vapor in the air is doing nothing but making a fire hazard and getting you drunk, as well as costing you the product that you worked hard to make.Awesome thanks! It was my first run on a new electric hot plate so the question is, do I use a higher heat to bring a wash to temp and then turn the heat down? Or do i use a steady low heat?

Steve-Broady

I use high heat to get up to temp, then back off as needed. That’s about the only thing I use the temperature gauge for, to give me an idea when I’m close to boiling. Some few that a slow heating will let the stuff in the still start to make yummy esters, but I haven’t gotten to that point in my own novice skill level yet.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Steve-Broady

Just a quick demonstration, since I’m doing a stripping run with this still right now. With the supplied coil condenser, I could barely manage to run my stove on half power without getting vapor. I built a fairly simple shotgun condenser, and I’m now able to run it at full power for a stripping run. This is what the stream looks like as I’m typing this.

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For a sense of scale, that’s a quart mason jar that I’m collecting in, and the spout is a 1” to 1/2” copper reducer.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Yummyrum

If the distillate is hot to touch , it would suggest that the vapour you see is  most likely uncondensed alcohol and is a concern .You need to turn the heat down.
If the distillate is cool and you are still seeing  vapour , it is often CO2 that is boiling out of the wash . It is most apparent if it is cold in your distilling area and you’ll see it before the distillate begins to flow . .My recommended goto . https://web.archive.org/web/20171228074 ... ory/theory
Some of it is outdated but most of the basics are correct .

PirateShiner

Thanks guys! Gonna give it a try again tomorrow. I have 6 gallons of apple cider ready to go

SDEngr1

I would strongly discourage any distilling within a home. An alcohol fire would go nuclear instantly plus it is invisible compounding the problems.

shadylane

Plus 1 Yummy

Stonecutter

I think electric elements have made it quite safe distill in an enclosed area. Like PirateShiner I distill in my basement. Whether outdoors or indoors keep a fire extinguisher handy and never leave your still unattended.

Haha I like the BBQ reference Pirate Shiner
Once you’ve got both your condenser and heater figured out you be ready to strip run like you’re grilling steaks and spirit run like your smoking Brisket

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Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
-Thomas Paine

Steve-Broady

I love that, Stonecutter! That’s remarkably helpful for someone who has more experience cooking than making good spirits.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

bcook608

This is what's left of my Vevor still:

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The only thing worth keeping with them is the pot. I'd recommend modifying yours as soon as you can so you can start making the good stuff!- New users start here
- A message to new users
- Planning your first run
- My Rigs

PirateShiner

I think electric elements have made it quite safe distill in an enclosed area. Like PirateShiner I distill in my basement. Whether outdoors or indoors keep a fire extinguisher handy and never leave your still unattended.

Haha I like the BBQ reference Pirate Shiner
Once you’ve got both your condenser and heater figured out you be ready to strip run like you’re grilling steaks and spirit run like your smoking Brisket

The only open flame I’m worried about in the basement is my furnace and my hot water heater across the room

PirateShiner

All the tips worked including using flour paste to seal up connections. I lowered the heat now there is no vapour or heat coming out of the end of the condenser! Only issue I have is that my apple cider didn’t ferment even though there was as lots of bubbler action. So my rum wash was run instead

Steve-Broady

I have heard that cider can take a while to ferment. If the airlock is bubbling, then you’re probably getting active fermentation. I know that mine tends to take a couple weeks or more, running at ambient temperature inside the house, usually around 70-75 F. I started a batch last week and fully expect to give it a month or more before I try to strip it.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

PirateShiner

I have heard that cider can take a while to ferment. If the airlock is bubbling, then you’re probably getting active fermentation. I know that mine tends to take a couple weeks or more, running at ambient temperature inside the house, usually around 70-75 F. I started a batch last week and fully expect to give it a month or more before I try to strip it.The cider was working for at least 3 - 4 weeks. I’m pretty sure the preservatives in it messed it up. It’s a long story lol.

Ben

What did you use as your juice base? If it contained potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate they are both yeast growth inhibitors. Essentially your yeast would not be able to multiply. They process what they can (slow ferment) but will eventually die off. If that's the case pitch a massive yeast bomb (google yeast bomb or yeast starter), or just a bunch of bakers/DADY. With enough yeast count they will process down the sugar.:)