Heads and tails distilling is a common practice used by distillers to separate the high-proof alcohols that come off of the still and turn them into a clear, smoother, and more enjoyable spirit. This process is done during the distillation process and involves taking a sample of the distillate coming off of the still, typically towards the end of the distillation run, and then separating out the different fractions or ‘cuts’ that come off from the vapor created by the evaporator coil.
The ‘heads’ fraction consists of the low-proof, volatile alcohols such as methanol and acetaldehyde, which can be quite harsh and unpleasant to consume; the ‘tails’ fraction consists of the high-proof alcohols including ethanol, which contribute to the more smooth and enjoyable flavor desired in alcohol beverages.
Typically, the fraction that lies between the two extremes is the ‘hearts’ fraction and it contains the alcohols that create the desirable flavor and aroma. By removing the harsh heads and the flavorless tails, one can create a pleasant-tasting and enjoyable final product.
Can you drink the heads from moonshine?
No, you should not drink the heads from moonshine. The heads are the initial liquid that is run off during the distilling process and are generally the most potent and contain the highest levels of fusel oils, the compounds that give moonshine its distinctive flavor.
Consuming these oils can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal and chest pains, headaches, and rapid heart rate. Some of the compounds can even cause organ and nervous system damage over time.
The tails, which is the liquid left at the end of the distilling process, are much lower in fusel oil content and are generally considered safe for consumption.
How many heads is 5 gallons of mash?
It is impossible to provide an exact answer to this question without additional information on the size and shape of the heads and the size of the mash, but it is possible to make an educated guess.
In general, 5 gallons of any type of mash will yield around 2 to 3 heads. This can vary depending on the type of mash and how concentrated or not it is. You should also keep in mind that if the heads are large in size, each one will take up more volume than if the heads are smaller.
In addition, during the mashing process, some of the mash may be lost due to boiling, evaporating, and rinsing. This will reduce the overall yield and can further affect the number of heads that can be produced from 5 gallons of mash.
Overall, the exact number of heads produced from 5 gallons of mash will depend on the type of mash and the size and shape of the heads. However, it is estimated that 5 gallons of mash will yield anywhere from 2 to 3 heads.
How do you know when the heads are finished?
When you’re painting heads, you’ll know when you’re finished when you’ve achieved the desired effect. If you’re aiming for realism, for example, you’ll want to make sure you’ve added details like individual strands of hair, wrinkles, and blemishes.
Once you’re satisfied with the overall look and feel of the head and feel that you’ve given it enough attention to make it realistic, then you can call the head “finished”. If you’re aiming for another style, you’ll have a different set of criteria to check to know that you’re done.
If, for example, the style of painting you’re going for is bold and abstract, you’ll want to make sure that the colors are balanced, that the lines are interesting and dynamic, and that the brush strokes are full of life.
The goal for this style might be to create something visually arresting, and once you feel you’ve accomplished that, you’ll know you’re finished with the head.
Do you have to throw out heads on second distillation?
No, it’s not necessary to throw out heads on a second distillation. While many distillers throw out the heads on the first distillation, they do not always do so on the second. This is because the heads contain both desirable and undesirable flavors; leaving them in can result in an undesirable flavor, but can at the same time give the alcohol a fuller, more rounded, and more complex flavor profile.
For example, the heads of corn whiskey contain 2-methyl-1-propanol, and leaving some of those heads in an alcoholic beverage can add fruity, flowery, and estery aromas and flavors. Ultimately, it’s up to the preference of the distiller and the flavor they’re trying to achieve.
What percentage of moonshine is heads?
The percentage of moonshine that is classified as “heads” can vary greatly. Generally speaking, it is said that around 10-30% of moonshine produced can be classified as “heads”. The remaining 70-90% is usually referred to as “tails”.
However, this percentage can also be affected by distillation techniques and the specific ingredients used. The higher the percentage of heads, the higher the proof of moonshine produced, which is why distillers try to produce a high percentage of heads in order to increase the proof of the moonshine.
Can you drink the tails in distilling?
No, you should not drink the tails in distilling. The tails, also known as feints, are the latter part of a distilling run and typically contain the most concentrated level of undesirable compounds. These compounds include undesirable flavors and aromas, higher boiling esters, fatty acids, acetones, and ketones, and can contain higher levels of methanol.
Drinking the tails can be extremely dangerous, as even small amounts of methanol can cause serious health complications. For this reason, it is advised to always discard the tails rather than to drink them.
What do you do with feints?
Feints are an important part of any martial art, and can be a useful tool for defending yourself. Feints are meant to confuse and mislead your opponent, allowing you to gain an advantage. One of the more common ways to use a feint is to pretend to attack in one direction, while you actually attack in another.
The idea is to trick your opponent into believing that your attack is coming from one direction while you actually move in another. This can be especially effective if you use quick, unpredictable movements, such as shifting your stance or flicking your hand.
Feints can also be used to bait your opponent into attacking first, so you can counter attack or defend against it. In addition, you can use feints to draw your opponent’s attention away from your real attack, allowing you to land a surprise punch or kick.
Ultimately, feints can be a very useful tool in any martial art, allowing you to gain an advantage over your opponent.
Can you rerun heads and tails?
Yes, you can rerun heads and tails. The game is a simple game of chance where players can involve as many people as they’d like to toss a coin in the air and guess which side will be facing up when the coin lands.
Players can take turns flipping the coin, with each turn creating a new chance of getting a heads or tails result. The game continues until someone unequivocally guesses the outcome correctly, or a predetermined number of turns have been completed.
In order to rerun heads and tails, the game can be set up exactly as before, with players taking turns and guessing the results of each flip.
How much will a 5 gallon still yield?
The amount of products that a 5 gallon still will yield depends on the type and size of the still being used and what type of distillation method is employed. Generally speaking, a 5 gallon still, when operated with an ordinary distillation method, will yield around 5-6 gallons of low wines (between 20-25% alcohol content) after the first run and around 1-3 gallons of spirit (with 40-50% alcohol content) after the second run.
Generally speaking, lower quality, smaller stills may yield less, while higher quality larger stills can yield a bit more.
How much head do you throw away when distilling?
It depends on the type of distilling process you are performing and the desired outcome. For example, the batch distilling process typically discards the first 15-20% of the distillate, including heads and tails, due to their higher potential for contamination and off-flavors.
Continuous distillation may discard even more, typically up to 30%. The amount of distillate discarded is dependent on the distiller’s experience, taste and judgement. In some cases, distillers may predetermine and adjust the amount of heads and tails to discard per run depending on the desired results.
It is often recommended to run small test batches of the distillate throughout the process, in order to better gauge the desired outcome. Ultimately, the amount of heads and tails discarded is up to the distiller, based on the type of spirit being distilled and the desired quality and flavor.
How much mash does it take to make 5 gallons of moonshine?
It takes approximately 20-25 pounds of mash to produce 5 gallons of moonshine. Depending on the type of mash used, the amount of sugar and other ingredients may vary. For example, a corn mash typically requires around 20 pounds of corn meal, 1/2 pound of flour, 1/2 pound of sugar, and 2 gallons of water to make 5 gallons of moonshine.
A malt mash, however, requires approximately 25 pounds of barley malt, 3 1/2 gallons of water, and 2 1/2 pounds of sugar. Additionally, some distillers may opt to use fruits such as apples or peaches, honey, or even molasses to add flavor to the mash.
The amount of mash needed therefore can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
How much do moonshiners make per gallon?
The exact amount a moonshiner can make per gallon of moonshine varies widely, as it depends on a number of factors such as the cost of ingredients and overhead, the local prices and demand for the moonshine, and the moonshiner’s skill.
Generally speaking, a beginner moonshiner can expect to make around $15-20 per gallon of moonshine, while an experienced and skilled moonshiner can make upwards of $50 or even $100+ per gallon. These prices, however, often represent a drastic markup over what is known as “street” or “black market” prices, which can be much cheaper – sometimes as low as $5-10 per gallon.
Of course, these lower prices are largely dependent on the location and its culture’s acceptance of moonshine, as well as the size of the batch being sold.
What size is a 5 gallon bucket?
A 5 gallon bucket is generally considered to be 16-18 inches high, 12-14 inches wide, and 12-16 inches deep, although the exact measurements may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and the style of the bucket.
Additionally, 5 gallon buckets are typically made from plastic, although there are metal and other types of 5 gallon buckets available. The volume of a 5 gallon bucket is usually 3.5 cubic feet, although again this may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
How many pounds of beans can fit in a 5 gallon bucket?
It depends on the type and size of the beans. For example, a 5-gallon bucket can hold approximately 40-50 pounds of large kidney beans, while a 5-gallon bucket can hold approximately 55-65 pounds of smaller navy beans.
If you are using white or black beans, a 5-gallon bucket can hold approximately 50-60 pounds, depending on how tightly packed the beans are. In general, it is safe to estimate that a 5-gallon bucket can hold up to 50-65 pounds of beans.
How many cubic feet are in a 5 gallon bucket of dirt?
It depends on the size of the 5 gallon bucket and what type of material the bucket is filled with. Generally speaking, a 5 gallon bucket contains roughly 0.71 cubic feet of material. However, this can vary depending on the type of material inside the bucket.
For example, if the bucket is filled with gravel, it will contain less than 0.71 cubic feet while if it is filled with soil, it will likely contain more than 0.71 cubic feet of material. Additionally, the size of the 5 gallon bucket can also factor into the equation.
If the bucket is wider, the total volume will be greater than the volume of a smaller 5 gallon bucket. In conclusion, to calculate the exact number of cubic feet in a 5 gallon bucket of dirt, the size of the bucket and the type of material must be factored into the equation.
What size moonshine still do I need?
The size of moonshine still you need is largely dependent on what type of moonshine you intend to produce. Generally speaking, a smaller still can be used for making smaller batches of lighter spirit such as moonshine vodka and whiskey.
For larger batches of heavier spirits such as rum and whiskey, you will need a larger still of at least 5 or 10 gallons. Additionally, the capacity of your still should ideally be twice to three times the size of the amount of moonshine you hope to produce in one distillation.
For example, if your desired batch size is five gallons of moonshine, you should look for a still with a capacity of between 10 and 15 gallons.
