When I distilled mine with the air-cooled distiller; I'd only throw away the firs ounce or so. The rest was good. On the back end it starts getting weak which is why you use the gauge to see what proof is coming out.
I used this thing called a "Mr. Distiller".
I checked this out.
Questions!
You had yours long?
Seems to be reliable?
I hate buying chinese stuff with it only to crap out in six months.