BEWARE: My thermometer was NOT calibrated! When I dropped it into boiling water, it only read 200 degrees instead of 212...

The little copper tube you have connected to your worm end is supposed to go inside of the thumper intake

Unless you're at sea-level, you need to know what elevation you're distilling at and adjust for atmospheric pressure's effect on vapor pressure. The ethanol fraction run that occurs at 78.3°C/172.9°F at sea-level happens at 72.4°C/162.3°F @ 2443-meters/8,000-feet of elevation above sea level; a difference of over 10-degrees Fahrenheit. If you're at an elevation of 6,000-feet your thermometer should read 200°F in boiling water, since the lower atmospheric pressure at that elevation lowers the boiling point of pure water by 12°F.

You don't understand how mixtures boil and how the distillation process really works. You do not boil the alcohol out of the water. Each mixture has its own boiling point based on the fraction of the components. The vapor that is formed is a mixture of alcohol and water. The vapor is richer in alcohol but still has a fraction of water. Your description may lead some to believe that you just need to heat the wash to the boiling point of alcohol, and it will boil, and the water remains. Ther truth is that if you raise the wash temperature to the boiling point of alcohol, you'll not boil anything and will have to return two weeks later to witness the evaporation that would've occurred and an empty collection jar.

The thumper that came with that kit is supposed to sit on top of the boiler to be indirectly heated.

VEVOR 5 GALLON STILL THERMOMETER RUSTED WATCH OUT

I love watching "failure" videos...They show that we are all human and that mistakes people made can be avoided when I give it a try. You may be disappointed, but you taught a lot of people a lot of good information.

Your wrong. You only get rid of 150 ml or 4oz of heads in a 5 gallon still.

I watched over 100 videos in this subject recently, because I want to do my own still. This is the best video, period.

KernsJW and jaw bone are correct. Without using the copper tube (that you have as a the drip tube on end of condenser) in the thumper its acting as a slobber box and it's just filling it up and pushing the contents out through condenser. That's why the drip was irregular and not clear. By using the short copper tube inside the thumper, almost reaching the bottom, the steam comes up through the liquid heating it quicker and allowing it to redistill into steam before it pukes into condenser. Bearded and Bored had a video on this. Vevor doesn't do a good job on that part of setup. Good still though.

Thank you for taking the time to share your journey. I wish you a fruitions future !!! ✌️🙏🎶

No matter what spirit I’m making, if I’m using my 5 gallon, I always get 1 gallon around 85-90% ABV. I’ve been distilling now for four years and I’m still learning the cuts. I use the same thumper that you use and I love it. I also add a little bit of my mash in it.

thank you for this video, it was informative, and helpful. you kept my attention to the end. Cleaning it that thoroughly would never have occurred to me. thumbs up.

This video was Extremely helpful, thank you for taking your time to explain the process

Thanks for your video, you clears up a lot for me. I will be watching for more of your videos. Thanks again

Thank you very much I'm ordering my still today and your info help me out tremendously thank you very much

Thanks for this video! Excellent explanations, unusual clarity for a complex topic.

I am gearing up for attempt #1 glad I found this video. Like point on down tube in thumper

love the video. helped me on some points.

Thank you, I enjoyed that, nice of you to share your mistakes, less for me to make, hopefully. I've ordered the small Vevor, 3 Gals, should arrive soon. I'll let you know how I get on.