Great video, George! Another reason to strip is when your wash is low proof, like an all grain mash. If your wash ferments to 0.02 your “low wines” from the first run is only going to be about 35% ABV or 70 proof,if you are using a pot still. The second or spirit run will yield hearts at 65 ABV, ready for aging. If you are making brandy your wash will be around 12-14% ABV and you don’t need a stripping run to get high proof hearts. One run, cut your fractions: one and done. So, you may want to strip only if your wash is low proof: your process and your product is your guide.
You are the best instructor I have ever come across in my life. If our country had more teachers like you, our youth would be so much better off. Im not specifically talking about the subject matter Im talking about your instruction skills. Impressive. So well done George!
Actually most large distilleries do stripping runs. It's just done a different way. The typically run continuous columns that remove some heads and tails and the output is cooled just enough to condense but is left hot and fed to their doubler where it gets distilled again. So they in fact do strip, just a different way. Now on a home rig. If you have a typical sized setup you can do a stripping run in about 2 hours time ran hot down to 5% (coming out of the still) giving you a batch of about 25% ABV in your collection. You do this stripping run 3 times for a total of about 6 hours plus a bit more time to empty/reload the still so lets call it 7 hours. Now you load all 3 stripping runs of 25% low wines back in the boiler and run slow and it will take about 8 hours sized properly. So 14 to 15 hours vs 3 separate 8 hours runs or 24 hours. The other benefit is that you'll get more hearts cut this way and if you want a bit of late heads or early tails for flavor it's much easier because the progression of collection is 3 times the single run and each "jar" or collection vessel will change roughly 3 times less then on a single run. Done this way you never add any water back into the boiler as your ABV is already low enough because you go deep on the strip run which you want to do to not waste alcohol and you want the oils and flavors from those deep tails (rums, whiskey). Now if making a pot still vodka you can run the strip slow in the beginning to separate the foreshots and heads and not run into the tails. Maybe do 4 strip runs this way keeping what would be like "stripping hearts" to use for the spirit run. Water this down to 20% or so and do a spirit run taking only the hearts. Then you can take multiple runs like this, water back down to 20% and run it again as a spirit run keeping only hearts. Water is used like a "filter" this way. Of course it's far easier to use a reflux still but everyone doesn't have one. If you only have a small still say 5 gallon another trick you can do especially if you don't have a lot of time for actual distilling is "jacking" your done ferment. This can be a simple as filling 3 liter cleaned soda bottles and setting them outside in the freezing temp or in your freezer overnight. Now flip them over and collect the first part that comes out leaving the frozen last parts in the bottle. You take off the alcohol leaving the water. Cut a couple of holes in the lid of a bucket to hold 2 bottles inverted or if you have multiple carboys just flip the bottles over on them. You can easily double to triple the ABV of done ferment this way by removing the the frozen water. This actually concentrates the flavor vs a strip run which does remove some flavor. Of course this is also cold crashing the ferment as well and all the yeast will get held up in the frozen water at the bottom of the bottle so you get a clean run in the still. In "winter" you can just sit carboys outside vs bottles and then flip them over buckets or right into the still. You can also just set buckets outside then just remove the ice that forms just like how applejack used to be made. I used to do this all the time when I only ran small stills but now still do it with things like Brandy as it really helps to hold the flavor more!
I added up all the parts and watched all the videos on how to build a PID. Then considering my skill set, and very small additional dollar amount and shipping, I figured it was better to buy one from George. I'm so glad I did. It runs perfectly and it was set up and ready to go right out of the box. Thank you George, and thanks again for your videos sir!
I have been " chasing the craft" for 4-5 months. I haven't even scratched my itch yet. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am to you for your shareing of your knowledge. Thank you so much
One useful benefit stripping runs is in a micro/nano sized distillery to help fill barrels - A large fermenter to get hundreds of gallons of mash is very expensive - multiple times the cost of a still, and you need to have a very large still. But if you can do a strip on one mash, then ferment your next mash, you have very little to store between fermentation runs, and you can run the final distillation at a much higher proof. You can then use the final distillation from 2 or 3 ferments and strips to get enough volume to fill a barrel from a single run. Personally I would also use a stripping run to remove most of the foreshots and heads (do a typically low temp period before jacking it up higher than in the final run), thereby speeding up the final distillation. It can also be a way to re-use tails that you've rejected from the bottle/barrel run. If you spike the proof on the stripping runs you don't have to worry about too many tails coming out, as your final distillation will control them. You lose less of the overall ethanol in tails this way. If you have any corrections/comments to the above let me know.
I agree that you can column distill to a final product without doing an initial stripping run . I do note that all the irish/scottish/Islay/etc. pot still operators do a stripping run to low wines and then do a final run. You could blame that on the volume, but the discussions I have seen claim that the flavor is improved over a single run fractional still product (shrug) I am doing stripping runs with my chinese pot still (thanks for the tip) for the purpose of having enough volume for the second run. 10 gallons of wash yields about 2 gallons of low wines. Three runs give me six gallons of low wines that will be diluted about 25% to stay below 40% ABV - and then the final run with the usual splits. And thanks for the design tips on the PID controllers. Mine work like gangbusters. Boy, do they take the work out of fermenting/mashing/distilling.
Hi George. I've worked in the wire industry for 10 yrs, people misunderstand what the wire gauge sizes mean which is why you keep getting asked about it. Simply put the larger the number the smaller the wire. 8 ga is heavier than 12 ga. 12 ga is heavier the 14 and so on. I hope this helps and thank you for all your videos and hard work
I got a 10-gallon still and I do all grain. I run five batches and keep a gallon out of each batch for my stripping runs when I've got five gallons I mix that with a fresh wash to get it down to 40%. But one of the reasons I do it it's because it's easier to to make your cuts. You can easily get all of the good stuff before you get into the tails.it's just my personal opinion but I would rather run it twice than to use a thumper
Hey there Mr. George! I just got started in the wine fermentation stage, and looking ahead to the distillation activities. I just wanted to say after binge watching your videos, that you do one heck of a great job educating me, and l look forward to getting a still from you in a few months. Thanks for all you do to make things as simple and understandable as possible for newbies like me.
Very informative, as always. I've been in the woods for quite a few years heating up the copper, so to speak, and never saw the need to run twice "XX". But I do save those tails until I have a pot full. Those 60-80 proof jars produce a very nice bonus at the end of the season! Cheers
If i would do a stripping run and i would run it till the end and collect tails untill what, 60 proof? When i put them all together and re-run it, will it give that nasty tail taste in the final product? Or should i collect only at 100 proof and re-run it? And then run every patches tails at one time. If running stuff without tail, can i run it till "all" alcohol has come out or is there another tail in it and i should stop again at 100 proof or so. I got my first stiller while ago and i'm planning to do some runs with it.
I would like to add, that stripping runs come in handy when you have large quantities of mash 100+ gals and a small still. You can maintain uniformity in your end product by quickly reducing it down and having a final run that's only 1 or 2 batches instead of 6 or 8. Use your backset to dilute final run so you maintain flavor.
Just to clarify...say you have 50 gallons with a 8 gallon still. You’re talking about cranking that still up to 100% and running it at 200 degrees just to run it quick until you run through all 50 gallons...about 6 or so runs. You’re left with about 5 gallons or more(assuming at least 10%abv) that you then run slow to get the good stuff out....adding some of the original mash you didn’t distill so some of the flavor carries over. Is that the basics of what you’re talking about?
The tutorial was up to the very high standard that is synonymous with Barley and Hops and yourself. Great information really well presented. You have on a number of occasions suggested that if there are questions that a viewer has they can put them in to the comments section for the interest of others and answers. So a couple of questions. I'm currently working on a beer keg based boiler. It is 13 US gallons, my question is would it be effective to use this boiler for running a 5 US gallon wash. My thinking was along the "better to have and not need than need and not have" regarding capacity. The boiler might theoretically be attached to a reflex or pot still column. The second question is regarding water quality. Commercial distilleries make a lot out of the qualities and quality of the water they use. Scottish distillers wax lyrically about peat filtered water from mountain springs. While Jack Daniels has their cave of spring fed water. Even the back country Moonshiners, Popcorn Sutton for one spoke about the water used in his shine. I have read comments about hard and soft water along with augments about the additives that can be found in municipal water supplies, fluoride etc. So what would be the best practice for producing a fine drop? Distilled, filtered, sourced from a natural spring, or unsullied water course? I hope others may have an interest in questions I've asked. Thanks, Geoffm
The larger kettle is not a bad idea. It will work just fine. Water is always a touchy topic. Yes, water does have an affect of the final product. As you point out there are distilleries that are very proud of their water sources. We don't have this flexibility so spring water, tap water (if clean) or any other source of good water is acceptable. Some have better success with one over the other. It is really a personal choice.
I just saw Mike in a video the first time the other day. He seems like a great guy and it's awesome what you're trying to do for him. Even better that he hasn't let anything stop him from doing what he wants to do
No right way - no wrong way - well said George, tis the way that is right for YOU and how you like the final product.. Best wishes to one and all - especially George - thank you.
Makes perfect sense to me. Now I understand why a still can never run dry and expose a heating element as you add WATER to the next run, the 40 percent RULE. I was hung up on this issue. Thanks for the post.
It is a good practice to put all your cable/wire glands at the bottom. If you have humidity/condensation or some leakage from the top, water will drop down and not inside.
Hello George good talk trough! I think you should touch on fermentation size and still size at a hobbyist level here. I like to explain that way. I’ll do 4 x 25 litres same recipes of fermentation and when I have enough lows wines I’ll do my spirit run nice and slow. This process is with a 25 litres still. That way I end up with about 10 litres. That way I’m not on the treadmill by doing small batches all the time and be good for about 4 to 6 months. And keeping good notes.
As my grandmother put it, "too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet", also she said, "if you can't find the time to do it right the first time where will you find the time to do it right the second time around". Stripping runs are just a kick the can solution to a different problem (space), it works if you need it but it's better if you don't. The parts are coming in for that PID, I have the OS bootstrapped and will begin the coding tomorrow or Sunday. Tonight we unwind and enjoy vids from our favorite youtuber.
Another excellent video George, thank you! I love your style of education. If I had teachers with your interesting style when I went to school back last century then maybe I would have learnt something!
Seems like the only time I’d want to do a stripping run is if I had (for example) an 8 gallon still and fermented a 20 gallon wash/mash. Then I could get a few batches of low wines and dump them all together to run the final product all at once instead of several low and slow runs. Otherwise it seems like an unnecessary step.
Chuck Saunders or if you were using a pot still and are looking for a more neutral spirit, you can strip then rehydrate with distilled water (repeat if you’d like) and run a spirit run. The analogy from old timers is that whiskey is like an old muddy dog, if you want to clean it up a bit you wash it off with a hose outside (stripping run) before you give it a bath (spirit run). Happy distilling!
Hey I just wanna say thanks for what you do eh. Every time I have a question about the craft you got a video explaining it in depth and I love it, keep up the great work
Thank's George. Audio sucked but no matter I still watch all your vids I've learned a little over the years. i'm from WV.Grand dad toute me long long time ago how to make rheumatism medicine it was also good for snake bites and carburetor cleaner an spot remover and just about anything you put it to. that PID your using grand dad showed me how to make one out of old ac parts years ago. Sorry I think its funny some of the comments you get some times on things that are so simple things that humans have done for hundreds of years. Throw stuff in a container and let it ferment filter it off and drink it or cook it off and try to drink it. I still use a garbage can with a garbage bag in it to mix my mash an just put a towel over it an the lid back on and try not to open it for at least a week or so. no fancy bubblers or recipes or any thing. my cooker was made it the early 1950 or so. I still have to mix up corn flour paste to plug the holes in it time to time it will forever be a hand me down. I do so love your vids George hope you continue to make them for a long time.
Hi George. Greetings from New Zealand. Really useful content for all of us amateur distillers and still builders. You are well skilled in explaining the more complicated parts of the hobby and I bet you make some choice spirits too.
lol .. 9:42 if your only interested in stripping runs :) PS. I love George & every single video he makes. I recommend him on all distilling pages as many other people do. George is the God of distilling on the web today. PPS. Also glad he doesn't get into taste testing vids, they have value but this isn't why we come to barley & hops
Well, all that would be true if and only if users would use controllers as they are rated. The 10 gauge wire allows users to increase wattage on elements and also multiple elements without any danger or safety concerns. The 120 Volt controllers are rated for 20 amps and 12 gauge is also a good safety margin along with the 25 amp SSR. Hope you understand the rationale here.
George Great video once again! I was curious about the mystery of making a stripping run. So I spent countless hours researching it on the web. After hearing many different explanations and reasons why one should do a stripping run; I came up with the exact same conclusion as yourself! With my lil old 3 gallon Frankenstein Mighty Mini; it would be a senseless waste of time and money. I like your example demonstrating the benefits of having a large capacity still and making a stripping run; which would save time. That never occurred to me before. I bow to the master Sir!
My view of a striping run is there is always a proportion of uncollectable Alcohol that is not recovered in a run. Down the drain it gos. So say there is say 5%, uncollectable alcohol in the first run, and you run it as a spirit run, you only loose say 5% of uncollectable Alcohol and small amount of flavour in desired congeners. If you run it as a striping run, you loose say 5% and if desired some flavour and character. Now run that striping run, as the spirt run, you loose another say estimate say 5% alcohol plus flavour in desired congeners. The out come is estimate 10% less alcohol and less desirable congeners. On the other hand if you are making vodka, You may be happy sacrificing the extra to get the purity you desire. Less congeners less flavour less ethanol .
I've returned to this older video with more experience and I tend to agree with George. With the introduction of a PID, I can slowly but surely pull out my heads, hearts and tails with minimal affects on my taste. In other words, why remove more flavor than is necessary.
Yes can you tell me how much for shots do you take off when you making either a strawberry moonshine or a peach moonshine how much for shots to take off or do it have any four shots at all
12:28 100% ethanol would be '200' proof. The 300 gal boiler is a bad example. Commercial distillerys can afford to mash that much in 1 shot. Lets use practical numbers... If you have a 5 gal still, you could ferment 5 gal to 10%. Strip it, and you get ~ 1/2gal of highproof dilluted to 40%=1gal. You can run like this 5 times and 1gal x5strips= 5 gal spirit run. This saves TONS of time, you can do small batches that fit your schedule, and you don't need to ferment AND RUN 50 gallons (@10%abv) at one time to get less than 5 gallons after the cut. Also, you only have to make cuts one time at the spirit run, and it's easier to make cuts on 5 gal spirit as opposed to say 2 quarts. Love your videos!
Hi, George. I was wondering if you could clarify exactly why people recommend diluting the 2nd run to 40-50%, depending on who you talk to. Is there something chemically going on, because doing this due to simply "Fire danger" makes no sense to me. I have had a leak on a seal result in a fire (Quickly snuffed out) while running a 10% wine. The alcohol fumes are what burns, not the liquid, (Try lighting alcohol when it's really cold... hard to do until it warms enough to produce fumes) and we produce flammable fumes no matter what % of alcohol is in the pot. Even diluting to the 40-45%, even that is flammable, so why would it matter whether the percentage is 40... or even 80% in the pot? Why can't you, or better yet, why SHOULDN'T you run the 2nd run full strength? Like you have often said, I have heard to do this, but never heard exactly WHY to do this. I appreciate what you do and share.
He George, I always like your videos they are always informative, however I would like to point out that for a 220 volt PID you would actually need to draw less amperage for same power output. So could have used a 15 amp solid state relay with still room to spare, same is true with wire guage as well. You would actually need a higher guage wire for 220 v PID as compared with a 110 v PID.
Another very informative video George. Just had a conversation with another person the other day on this very topic. Because I am new to this, I was not 100% sure if a stripping run was necessary especially running bourbon. My thinking is I don't what lose any flavor so I just run slow. Now this confirms my thinking on not to do a stripping run. I think you wireless mic connection was lose on this video, the audio wasn't very good. Also was wanted to see if you had a chance to read the email I sent you earlier this week. I was interested on your thoughts. Again thanks for all you do George sharing your knowledge of the craft.
I checked the audio and it seems fine on this end and on a separate computer I use. May be on your end. I just went back and reviewed that email. In ll honesty when I see one that long I usually skim over it quickly since I have hundreds to get to. Sorry. Your state TABC laws are most important. The federal law is that it is illegal (period). George
Love yer videos George. I have a 80 litre wash that I am hoping to run in a 55 L beer keg still. The question is 2 regular runs or 1 stripping and one final run.
I sent you an email but just want to put the question out to our community- I have multiple different beers - Dark, Light, Hoppy, and a little Cider. Can I just combine any and all of these into stripping runs and then do a second spirit run on the combo? Dont want to have a really weird tasting Spirit. These beers are carbonated now. Would love some feedback before I waste a lot of good beer..... GREAT VIDS !
I’m with u on this George, I don’t do stripping runs... I run it super slow just one run...using 2 copper scrubs with some small hand fool of rashness rings come off about 80% 👍👍
I just did a Tennessee whiskey mash run, I took the 4 shots off, of a 12 gallon run. I received one and a quarter gallon but it is undrinkable. It tastes bad and I want to know if I double distilled this 1.25 gallons would I have a drinkable beverage, and how much would it be?
Yup, your spirit run gets done slowly and you make your cuts then. It's usually best to just buy a bunch of pint mason jars that you number and fill with your still's output, then you find your cuts afterwards and make your blend.
Hey George. Great video as always. I run a copper potstill; is there benefit in doing stripping runs when trying to make a neutral spirit, for example when trying to make a base alcohol for gin?
Please make a video on the leftovers from making your spirits I'm sure there is a use for this stuff? Hate throwing stuff out because of lack of knowledge of knowing what can be reused thanks Grant
The heads are a great solvent. Clean flux off of solder joints, homemade Dawn Powerwash ingredient, degreaser, BBQ lighter, fuel, germicide/sanitizer . . .
As an opinion… he says if you’re not going large volume, in his example 300gallons of mash - you don’t need To do a stripping run. His advice: run it right the first time.
I was just having this discussion with a friend who swears by stripping runs. He actually runs a slow stripping run and discards his foreshots and tails then dilutes and does another slow run swears he gets a much smoother product. I think he just likes to run his still.
You use even heavier gauge wires for a 240V system? Doesn’t 240V draw less amps than 110? Here in Australia we use 240 and my cafe caravan can run its 2750 W machine + 750 W grinder + 2000 W urn + 2000 W hot water + 2 small fridges all on a standard household 10 amp extension lead without any melting wires or blown breaker switches! I do usually use a 15A lead but I have done it one a 10A for days without issues.
Yes, most users will attempt to use higher wattage elements and in some cases multiple elements. Resistance in a parallel circuit has an inverse relationship (meaning when you add more resistance the total resistance goes down and the amperage goes up) so the heavier wire is necessary.
Never. This would not be distilling since you are not separating any constituents. There is no value and it can be dangerous to try to distill any high proof spirit. If you want to run it again make sure you dilute it to below 30% ABV. George
Why must you run the second or third distillation at 40% can't you do it at 80%? I'm guessing it's because you don't want to run dry? Or is there another factor why?
The azeotropic blend of your wash is way off if you re-distill higher than 40%. There is science behind this recommendation. There are some who will not follow this and all I can say is "we told you so". George
holy dodged a bullet there George. i though i was going to see you running through the mall peeling your clothes off . do you ship to Canada brother. love the vids . thanks for dropping all the knowledge and the effort that goes into these vids that keep us safe happy and stillin. Be safe out there
I do and have shipped to Canada. The cost is highway robbery. Shipping a PID controller runs about $55 or so. I can ship the same controller anywhere in the US for $14. Damn customs... George
This is due to what is called the azeotope point of vaporization. I plan to do a video soon on this topic so I won't get into too much detail here (way to deep for a written explanation). Ethanol and water mixture will vaporize below the vapor point of the lowest constituent (ethanol). When the mixture becomes too rich the azeotrope is affected and the result is usually a vapor lock or an uncontrollable separation. Hope this helps. By the way 30% abv is about the limit for a mixture. George
If you're just here for info on stripping runs; 9:40.
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Brother i was trying to get into the electrical education but I'm not much of a electrician LOL more of a plumber
@Warrior Son dude...fuck off "the professor" you want stupid go to another channel....remember..your ass is HERE because you LACK KNOWLEDGE!
God bless you sir..
Thanks brother
Hi George, great video, audio is terrible though.
Great video, George!
Another reason to strip is when your wash is low proof, like an all grain mash. If your wash ferments to 0.02 your “low wines” from the first run is only going to be about 35% ABV or 70 proof,if you are using a pot still. The second or spirit run will yield hearts at 65 ABV, ready for aging. If you are making brandy your wash will be around 12-14% ABV and you don’t need a stripping run to get high proof hearts. One run, cut your fractions: one and done.
So, you may want to strip only if your wash is low proof: your process and your product is your guide.
You are the best instructor I have ever come across in my life. If our country had more teachers like you, our youth would be so much better off. Im not specifically talking about the subject matter Im talking about your instruction skills. Impressive. So well done George!
George you are absolutely brilliant, your instructual teaching is at a high level for a clear understanding. Great work as always!!!!
Actually most large distilleries do stripping runs. It's just done a different way. The typically run continuous columns that remove some heads and tails and the output is cooled just enough to condense but is left hot and fed to their doubler where it gets distilled again. So they in fact do strip, just a different way.
Now on a home rig. If you have a typical sized setup you can do a stripping run in about 2 hours time ran hot down to 5% (coming out of the still) giving you a batch of about 25% ABV in your collection. You do this stripping run 3 times for a total of about 6 hours plus a bit more time to empty/reload the still so lets call it 7 hours.
Now you load all 3 stripping runs of 25% low wines back in the boiler and run slow and it will take about 8 hours sized properly. So 14 to 15 hours vs 3 separate 8 hours runs or 24 hours. The other benefit is that you'll get more hearts cut this way and if you want a bit of late heads or early tails for flavor it's much easier because the progression of collection is 3 times the single run and each "jar" or collection vessel will change roughly 3 times less then on a single run.
Done this way you never add any water back into the boiler as your ABV is already low enough because you go deep on the strip run which you want to do to not waste alcohol and you want the oils and flavors from those deep tails (rums, whiskey).
Now if making a pot still vodka you can run the strip slow in the beginning to separate the foreshots and heads and not run into the tails. Maybe do 4 strip runs this way keeping what would be like "stripping hearts" to use for the spirit run. Water this down to 20% or so and do a spirit run taking only the hearts. Then you can take multiple runs like this, water back down to 20% and run it again as a spirit run keeping only hearts. Water is used like a "filter" this way. Of course it's far easier to use a reflux still but everyone doesn't have one.
If you only have a small still say 5 gallon another trick you can do especially if you don't have a lot of time for actual distilling is "jacking" your done ferment. This can be a simple as filling 3 liter cleaned soda bottles and setting them outside in the freezing temp or in your freezer overnight. Now flip them over and collect the first part that comes out leaving the frozen last parts in the bottle. You take off the alcohol leaving the water. Cut a couple of holes in the lid of a bucket to hold 2 bottles inverted or if you have multiple carboys just flip the bottles over on them. You can easily double to triple the ABV of done ferment this way by removing the the frozen water. This actually concentrates the flavor vs a strip run which does remove some flavor.
Of course this is also cold crashing the ferment as well and all the yeast will get held up in the frozen water at the bottom of the bottle so you get a clean run in the still. In "winter" you can just sit carboys outside vs bottles and then flip them over buckets or right into the still. You can also just set buckets outside then just remove the ice that forms just like how applejack used to be made.
I used to do this all the time when I only ran small stills but now still do it with things like Brandy as it really helps to hold the flavor more!
Thanks. You and George would make a great team.
I added up all the parts and watched all the videos on how to build a PID. Then considering my skill set, and very small additional dollar amount and shipping, I figured it was better to buy one from George. I'm so glad I did. It runs perfectly and it was set up and ready to go right out of the box. Thank you George, and thanks again for your videos sir!
I have been " chasing the craft" for 4-5 months. I haven't even scratched my itch yet. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am to you for your shareing of your knowledge.
Thank you so much
One useful benefit stripping runs is in a micro/nano sized distillery to help fill barrels - A large fermenter to get hundreds of gallons of mash is very expensive - multiple times the cost of a still, and you need to have a very large still. But if you can do a strip on one mash, then ferment your next mash, you have very little to store between fermentation runs, and you can run the final distillation at a much higher proof. You can then use the final distillation from 2 or 3 ferments and strips to get enough volume to fill a barrel from a single run.
Personally I would also use a stripping run to remove most of the foreshots and heads (do a typically low temp period before jacking it up higher than in the final run), thereby speeding up the final distillation.
It can also be a way to re-use tails that you've rejected from the bottle/barrel run. If you spike the proof on the stripping runs you don't have to worry about too many tails coming out, as your final distillation will control them. You lose less of the overall ethanol in tails this way.
If you have any corrections/comments to the above let me know.
I agree that you can column distill to a final product without doing an initial stripping run . I do note that all the irish/scottish/Islay/etc. pot still operators do a stripping run to low wines and then do a final run. You could blame that on the volume, but the discussions I have seen claim that the flavor is improved over a single run fractional still product (shrug)
I am doing stripping runs with my chinese pot still (thanks for the tip) for the purpose of having enough volume for the second run. 10 gallons of wash yields about 2 gallons of low wines. Three runs give me six gallons of low wines that will be diluted about 25% to stay below 40% ABV - and then the final run with the usual splits.
And thanks for the design tips on the PID controllers. Mine work like gangbusters. Boy, do they take the work out of fermenting/mashing/distilling.
Hi George. I've worked in the wire industry for 10 yrs, people misunderstand what the wire gauge sizes mean which is why you keep getting asked about it. Simply put the larger the number the smaller the wire. 8 ga is heavier than 12 ga. 12 ga is heavier the 14 and so on. I hope this helps and thank you for all your videos and hard work
Thanks. This is a hard topic for some to understand. I'll keep at it.
George
I got a 10-gallon still and I do all grain. I run five batches and keep a gallon out of each batch for my stripping runs when I've got five gallons I mix that with a fresh wash to get it down to 40%. But one of the reasons I do it it's because it's easier to to make your cuts. You can easily get all of the good stuff before you get into the tails.it's just my personal opinion but I would rather run it twice than to use a thumper
5 years and these videos are still the best on youtube. I hope this guy is still out there distilling.
Hey there Mr. George! I just got started in the wine fermentation stage, and looking ahead to the distillation activities. I just wanted to say after binge watching your videos, that you do one heck of a great job educating me, and l look forward to getting a still from you in a few months. Thanks for all you do to make things as simple and understandable as possible for newbies like me.
Thanks for adding some sanity to this hobby. There are so many choices and opinions!
I give the video a thumbs up before even watching it. I already know the video is going to be informative.
You're right George taught me everything I know and I make good liquor
Yep
Outstanding, another great video by a great man who knows exactly what he talking about!!
Thanks for doing this George!
Finally I understand, thank you. I never knew what you mixed with your ethanol after a stripping run to get back to a volume. You are clear as day!!
I wouldn’t be able to visit the distillation fairy without you, you’re the best! I could listen to you teach anything
Very informative, as always. I've been in the woods for quite a few years heating up the copper, so to speak, and never saw the need to run twice "XX". But I do save those tails until I have a pot full. Those 60-80 proof jars produce a very nice bonus at the end of the season! Cheers
If i would do a stripping run and i would run it till the end and collect tails untill what, 60 proof? When i put them all together and re-run it, will it give that nasty tail taste in the final product? Or should i collect only at 100 proof and re-run it? And then run every patches tails at one time. If running stuff without tail, can i run it till "all" alcohol has come out or is there another tail in it and i should stop again at 100 proof or so. I got my first stiller while ago and i'm planning to do some runs with it.
I would like to add, that stripping runs come in handy when you have large quantities of mash 100+ gals and a small still. You can maintain uniformity in your end product by quickly reducing it down and having a final run that's only 1 or 2 batches instead of 6 or 8. Use your backset to dilute final run so you maintain flavor.
Just to clarify...say you have 50 gallons with a 8 gallon still. You’re talking about cranking that still up to 100% and running it at 200 degrees just to run it quick until you run through all 50 gallons...about 6 or so runs. You’re left with about 5 gallons or more(assuming at least 10%abv) that you then run slow to get the good stuff out....adding some of the original mash you didn’t distill so some of the flavor carries over. Is that the basics of what you’re talking about?
The tutorial was up to the very high standard that is synonymous with Barley and Hops and yourself. Great information really well presented. You have on a number of occasions suggested that if there are questions that a viewer has they can put them in to the comments section for the interest of others and answers. So a couple of questions.
I'm currently working on a beer keg based boiler. It is 13 US gallons, my question is would it be effective to use this boiler for running a 5 US gallon wash. My thinking was along the "better to have and not need than need and not have" regarding capacity. The boiler might theoretically be attached to a reflex or pot still column.
The second question is regarding water quality. Commercial distilleries make a lot out of the qualities and quality of the water they use. Scottish distillers wax lyrically about peat filtered water from mountain springs. While Jack Daniels has their cave of spring fed water. Even the back country Moonshiners, Popcorn Sutton for one spoke about the water used in his shine. I have read comments about hard and soft water along with augments about the additives that can be found in municipal water supplies, fluoride etc. So what would be the best practice for producing a fine drop? Distilled, filtered, sourced from a natural spring, or unsullied water course?
I hope others may have an interest in questions I've asked.
Thanks,
Geoffm
The larger kettle is not a bad idea. It will work just fine.
Water is always a touchy topic. Yes, water does have an affect of the final product. As you point out there are distilleries that are very proud of their water sources. We don't have this flexibility so spring water, tap water (if clean) or any other source of good water is acceptable.
Some have better success with one over the other. It is really a personal choice.
I just saw Mike in a video the first time the other day. He seems like a great guy and it's awesome what you're trying to do for him. Even better that he hasn't let anything stop him from doing what he wants to do
No right way - no wrong way - well said George, tis the way that is right for YOU and how you like the final product.. Best wishes to one and all - especially George - thank you.
Well that straightens that problem out. I only have a 4 gallon still. I'll just do it right the first time. This stuff does take time!
Makes perfect sense to me. Now I understand why a still can never run dry and expose a heating element as you add WATER to the next run, the 40 percent RULE. I was hung up on this issue. Thanks for the post.
It is a good practice to put all your cable/wire glands at the bottom. If you have humidity/condensation or some leakage from the top, water will drop down and not inside.
Thanks George. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge
Hello George good talk trough! I think you should touch on fermentation size and still size at a hobbyist level here. I like to explain that way. I’ll do 4 x 25 litres same recipes of fermentation and when I have enough lows wines I’ll do my spirit run nice and slow. This process is with a 25 litres still. That way I end up with about 10 litres. That way I’m not on the treadmill by doing small batches all the time and be good for about 4 to 6 months. And keeping good notes.
Another great video George! Would love to meet you in person someday. You've been a wealth of knowledge. Thank you!
Really enjoying the channel from here in Australia... only new to distilling and your channel has helped heaps thanks...
As my grandmother put it, "too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet", also she said, "if you can't find the time to do it right the first time where will you find the time to do it right the second time around". Stripping runs are just a kick the can solution to a different problem (space), it works if you need it but it's better if you don't.
The parts are coming in for that PID, I have the OS bootstrapped and will begin the coding tomorrow or Sunday. Tonight we unwind and enjoy vids from our favorite youtuber.
Absolutely awesome.
I am very excited about this and appreciate your help.
George
That answered a lot of questions for me. Thanks.
Another excellent video George, thank you!
I love your style of education. If I had teachers with your interesting style when I went to school back last century then maybe I would have learnt something!
Thanks
I’m glad you put this up! I was just looking into this process.
Thank you George. I have always thought a stripping run was a wast of time on small batch still.
Seems like the only time I’d want to do a stripping run is if I had (for example) an 8 gallon still and fermented a 20 gallon wash/mash. Then I could get a few batches of low wines and dump them all together to run the final product all at once instead of several low and slow runs. Otherwise it seems like an unnecessary step.
Chuck Saunders or if you were using a pot still and are looking for a more neutral spirit, you can strip then rehydrate with distilled water (repeat if you’d like) and run a spirit run. The analogy from old timers is that whiskey is like an old muddy dog, if you want to clean it up a bit you wash it off with a hose outside (stripping run) before you give it a bath (spirit run). Happy distilling!
Hey I just wanna say thanks for what you do eh. Every time I have a question about the craft you got a video explaining it in depth and I love it, keep up the great work
Thank's George. Audio sucked but no matter I still watch all your vids I've learned a little over the
years. i'm from WV.Grand dad toute me long long time ago how to make rheumatism medicine it was also
good for snake bites and carburetor cleaner an spot remover and just about anything you put it to. that PID
your using grand dad showed me how to make one out of old ac parts years ago. Sorry I think its funny some
of the comments you get some times on things that are so simple things that humans have done for hundreds
of years. Throw stuff in a container and let it ferment filter it off and drink it or cook it off and try to drink it.
I still use a garbage can with a garbage bag in it to mix my mash an just put a towel over it an the lid back on
and try not to open it for at least a week or so. no fancy bubblers or recipes or any thing. my cooker was made
it the early 1950 or so. I still have to mix up corn flour paste to plug the holes in it time to time it will forever
be a hand me down. I do so love your vids George hope you continue to make them for a long time.
Thankyou l have learnt a lot today and welcome back
Hi George. Greetings from New Zealand. Really useful content for all of us amateur distillers and still builders. You are well skilled in explaining the more complicated parts of the hobby and I bet you make some choice spirits too.
On occasion I pump out a good one.George 👍
lol .. 9:42 if your only interested in stripping runs :)
PS. I love George & every single video he makes. I recommend him on all distilling pages as many other people do. George is the God of distilling on the web today.
PPS. Also glad he doesn't get into taste testing vids, they have value but this isn't why we come to barley & hops
Thanks lol
Great video as always! Doing multiple distillations is great if you use essences to flavor your alcohol.
By that do you mean adding essences after the stripping run or as usual to the final spirit?
@@rshaughn11 Strip then do a polishing run. You add essence to the final "vodka" to make up the flavor you want.
Hey George, the lighter cable should be on the 220v pids as they draw half the current. Same with the SSRs, the 40a would be best in the 110vsetup.
Well, all that would be true if and only if users would use controllers as they are rated.
The 10 gauge wire allows users to increase wattage on elements and also multiple elements without any danger or safety concerns. The 120 Volt controllers are rated for 20 amps and 12 gauge is also a good safety margin along with the 25 amp SSR. Hope you understand the rationale here.
I have to say you are by far my favorite home distilling channel, so Informative but I find the way you present information hilarious
I always learn the most from your videos!!!
Thank you George, another great informative video. Is a reflux still mainly used for doing a stripping run???????
No. This is a specific type of still for high ABV neutral spirits.
"Makes an excellent weed killer."
I literally laughed out loud. I bet it does! Thanks for another great video George!
Thanks for the great method, support from China 🇨🇳 and New Zealand 🇳🇿
George Great video once again! I was curious about the mystery of making a stripping run. So I spent countless hours researching it on the web. After hearing many different explanations and reasons why one should do a stripping run; I came up with the exact same conclusion as yourself! With my lil old 3 gallon Frankenstein Mighty Mini; it would be a senseless waste of time and money. I like your example demonstrating the benefits of having a large capacity still and making a stripping run; which would save time. That never occurred to me before. I bow to the master Sir!
I try to hit thumbs up at the start of the video, cuz I already know I'm gonna like it.
My view of a striping run is there is always a proportion of uncollectable Alcohol that is not recovered in a run. Down the drain it gos.
So say there is say 5%, uncollectable alcohol in the first run, and you run it as a spirit run, you only loose say 5% of uncollectable Alcohol and small amount of flavour in desired congeners.
If you run it as a striping run, you loose say 5% and if desired some flavour and character.
Now run that striping run, as the spirt run, you loose another say estimate say 5% alcohol plus flavour in desired congeners.
The out come is estimate 10% less alcohol and less desirable congeners.
On the other hand if you are making vodka, You may be happy sacrificing the extra to get the purity you desire. Less congeners less flavour less ethanol .
I've returned to this older video with more experience and I tend to agree with George. With the introduction of a PID, I can slowly but surely pull out my heads, hearts and tails with minimal affects on my taste. In other words, why remove more flavor than is necessary.
Wish you were still making vids. They are great!😊
CLICK..... This is basically what I did when I fell asleep in front of the still the other night. Thanks George.
Thanks for the Awesome video you have helped me out so much with both of these topics!!
I love this guy he's like my go to moonshine scientist.
Yes can you tell me how much for shots do you take off when you making either a strawberry moonshine or a peach moonshine how much for shots to take off or do it have any four shots at all
12:28 100% ethanol would be '200' proof. The 300 gal boiler is a bad example. Commercial distillerys can afford to mash that much in 1 shot. Lets use practical numbers...
If you have a 5 gal still, you could ferment 5 gal to 10%.
Strip it, and you get ~ 1/2gal of highproof dilluted to 40%=1gal.
You can run like this 5 times and 1gal x5strips= 5 gal spirit run.
This saves TONS of time, you can do small batches that fit your schedule, and you don't need to ferment AND RUN 50 gallons (@10%abv) at one time to get less than 5 gallons after the cut. Also, you only have to make cuts one time at the spirit run, and it's easier to make cuts on 5 gal spirit as opposed to say 2 quarts.
Love your videos!
Hi, George. I was wondering if you could clarify exactly why people recommend diluting the 2nd run to 40-50%, depending on who you talk to. Is there something chemically going on, because doing this due to simply "Fire danger" makes no sense to me. I have had a leak on a seal result in a fire (Quickly snuffed out) while running a 10% wine. The alcohol fumes are what burns, not the liquid, (Try lighting alcohol when it's really cold... hard to do until it warms enough to produce fumes) and we produce flammable fumes no matter what % of alcohol is in the pot. Even diluting to the 40-45%, even that is flammable, so why would it matter whether the percentage is 40... or even 80% in the pot? Why can't you, or better yet, why SHOULDN'T you run the 2nd run full strength? Like you have often said, I have heard to do this, but never heard exactly WHY to do this. I appreciate what you do and share.
He George, I always like your videos they are always informative, however I would like to point out that for a 220 volt PID you would actually need to draw less amperage for same power output. So could have used a 15 amp solid state relay with still room to spare, same is true with wire guage as well. You would actually need a higher guage wire for 220 v PID as compared with a 110 v PID.
Yes, but I wouldn't go as low as a 15 AMP SSR. No room for potential spike with that.
George
Another very informative video George. Just had a conversation with another person the other day on this very topic. Because I am new to this, I was not 100% sure if a stripping run was necessary especially running bourbon. My thinking is I don't what lose any flavor so I just run slow. Now this confirms my thinking on not to do a stripping run.
I think you wireless mic connection was lose on this video, the audio wasn't very good.
Also was wanted to see if you had a chance to read the email I sent you earlier this week. I was interested on your thoughts.
Again thanks for all you do George sharing your knowledge of the craft.
I checked the audio and it seems fine on this end and on a separate computer I use.
May be on your end.
I just went back and reviewed that email. In ll honesty when I see one that long I usually skim over it quickly since I have hundreds to get to. Sorry.
Your state TABC laws are most important. The federal law is that it is illegal (period).
George
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing sorry for the long winded email. Appreciate the reply.
anyone else with he was your neighbor?
DANG! Almost 10 minutes 'til the stripping run conversation!
Top class as always 👏
Happy distilling hey George do you plan on doing a video on pot stilling the correct way ( no stripping just spirit run).
That's one of my favorite phrases. Mines slightly different. Why is there never enough time to do it right but always enough time to do it over.
Love yer videos George. I have a 80 litre wash that I am hoping to run in a 55 L beer keg still. The question is 2 regular runs or 1 stripping and one final run.
Totally up to you
I sent you an email but just want to put the question out to our community-
I have multiple different beers - Dark, Light, Hoppy, and a little Cider. Can I just combine any and all of these into stripping runs and then do a second spirit run on the combo?
Dont want to have a really weird tasting Spirit. These beers are carbonated now.
Would love some feedback before I waste a lot of good beer.....
GREAT VIDS !
I’m with u on this George, I don’t do stripping runs... I run it super slow just one run...using 2 copper scrubs with some small hand fool of rashness rings come off about 80% 👍👍
Awesome as always.
George
I just did a Tennessee whiskey mash run, I took the 4 shots off, of a 12 gallon run. I received one and a quarter gallon but it is undrinkable. It tastes bad and I want to know if I double distilled this 1.25 gallons would I have a drinkable beverage, and how much would it be?
a common question about stripper runs.
do you make cuts on the second run?
Yup, your spirit run gets done slowly and you make your cuts then. It's usually best to just buy a bunch of pint mason jars that you number and fill with your still's output, then you find your cuts afterwards and make your blend.
@@jttech44 ...thank you. i'm going to try a stripping run on my next project. a sugar wash.
Hey George. Great video as always. I run a copper potstill; is there benefit in doing stripping runs when trying to make a neutral spirit, for example when trying to make a base alcohol for gin?
Totally up to you.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing thanks. Guess I'll have to experiment with both methods.
Please make a video on the leftovers from making your spirits I'm sure there is a use for this stuff? Hate throwing stuff out because of lack of knowledge of knowing what can be reused thanks Grant
The heads are a great solvent. Clean flux off of solder joints, homemade Dawn Powerwash ingredient, degreaser, BBQ lighter, fuel, germicide/sanitizer . . .
As an opinion… he says if you’re not going large volume, in his example 300gallons of mash - you don’t need
To do a stripping run. His advice: run it right the first time.
I was just having this discussion with a friend who swears by stripping runs. He actually runs a slow stripping run and discards his foreshots and tails then dilutes and does another slow run swears he gets a much smoother product. I think he just likes to run his still.
your my best friend ,
For mike, try a raspberry Pi with a script that'll convert information from the PID to textual information ie: at "X" temp--> play "X" wave file
Thanks a bunch.
What if I want to remove flavors to be basically just flavorless alcohol? Would it be good to more than one strip?
George, is a second Stripping run also called a Spirit run?
You use even heavier gauge wires for a 240V system? Doesn’t 240V draw less amps than 110? Here in Australia we use 240 and my cafe caravan can run its 2750 W machine + 750 W grinder + 2000 W urn + 2000 W hot water + 2 small fridges all on a standard household 10 amp extension lead without any melting wires or blown breaker switches! I do usually use a 15A lead but I have done it one a 10A for days without issues.
Yes, most users will attempt to use higher wattage elements and in some cases multiple elements. Resistance in a parallel circuit has an inverse relationship (meaning when you add more resistance the total resistance goes down and the amperage goes up) so the heavier wire is necessary.
Great video
good point do not distill a distilled product by its self
Never. This would not be distilling since you are not separating any constituents. There is no value and it can be dangerous to try to distill any high proof spirit. If you want to run it again make sure you dilute it to below 30% ABV.
George
Couldn't I use the PID or temperature controller on an oven on a electric stove
When using a reflux column in Pot still mode to do a stripping run should you take all the copperplates out or leave them in?
Stripping run, or wire stripping?
What would be the problem with freeze distilling to lower volume or strip ?
Why would I? Well it depends on what I'm making. BUT if it's whiskey I'm going to do a double run anyway so same amount of time
Why must you run the second or third distillation at 40% can't you do it at 80%? I'm guessing it's because you don't want to run dry? Or is there another factor why?
The azeotropic blend of your wash is way off if you re-distill higher than 40%.
There is science behind this recommendation. There are some who will not follow this and all I can say is "we told you so".
George
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing you learn something new every day, thank you George I appreciate it.
Most whisky distilleries' wash is between 8 to 10 percent abv so stripping runs may be beneficial. Scotch is distilled twice irish whiskey 3 times .
Good video as normal .But Audio sounded like you had a bumblebee on your microphone..
I've checked around and some have had no problem where others have had this issue with audio. Not sure where the problem is.
That makes sense.
If you do a freeze distillation first would it be same as a stripping run or would it provide a different result?
A totally different process.
holy dodged a bullet there George. i though i was going to see you running through the mall peeling your clothes off . do you ship to Canada brother. love the vids . thanks for dropping all the knowledge and the effort that goes into these vids that keep us safe happy and stillin. Be safe out there
I do and have shipped to Canada. The cost is highway robbery. Shipping a PID controller runs about $55 or so. I can ship the same controller anywhere in the US for $14.
Damn customs...
George
George what is the name of the song at the beginning of this video?
Kentucky moonshine. Send me an email and I will send you the MP3 of the whole song
Stripping run content begins at 9:44. Hope this helps.
Hi George i am a beginner brewer are u able to ship your PID to the UK working from 240v and can u suggest a element to us please thanks
Yes, I have shipped to countries all around the globe.
Thank you
Why dont you want to run any higher than 40% in your boiler on your 2nd (spirit) run? Thanks.
This is due to what is called the azeotope point of vaporization. I plan to do a video soon on this topic so I won't get into too much detail here (way to deep for a written explanation).
Ethanol and water mixture will vaporize below the vapor point of the lowest constituent (ethanol). When the mixture becomes too rich the azeotrope is affected and the result is usually a vapor lock or an uncontrollable separation.
Hope this helps.
By the way 30% abv is about the limit for a mixture.
George
George do I hear a owl in the back ground 🦉lol!!