StillSmart

Re: Had to be done

2011-10-31T07:58:41+00:00

Sorry for the slow response.

The kit turned up last week, just in time I was getting tired of running small lots in the air still.

Our friends in customs hit me for a further £90 pounds import, but I know when to grin and bare it. Wont say what it came in to the country as.

I was a bit frightened when I opened the box but after reading the instructions I feel fine and will get the unit assembled this week.

One of the water input pipes got bashed in the post, but nothing that I can’t unbash.

I have 2 galls of spirit left which will do me and my lovely lady for about 2 weeks so I will be taking things easy getting the project up and running.

I was a bit concerned about the heating element not being strong enough, but if things don’t work out I can fit the element from a kettle or hot water boiler, to assist in the initial heat up.

Pyro

Statistics: Posted by Pyro — Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:58 am

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-15T19:23:38+00:00

It's not illegal to own a still, however I would be concerned about getting a still delivered to the address I was stilling at.

I have a few mates who have ordered columns from abroad - it was just the column though, no boiler - it was declared as "air conditioning equipment", to be fair when you see them broken down, its all pipes and valves, we have in our head its a still, but the the casual onlooker, its just pipes and valves.
I guess its a little different when they are shipping you a boiler though.

They do an option for strapping onto a keg - is that an option for any of you? in which case, when are you ordering your air con equip?

BTW - none of the packages were opened - i would guess they would be x-rayed in which case - pipes and valves.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:23 pm

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-15T14:31:50+00:00

Don’t get me wrong – I’m positive the 1500w will let you produce some really nice neutral – I run my 51” VM at 1400w during hearts collection. But I’ll wager the first time you run a big wash you’ll wish you had more power to get it up to temp, before tuning it down for collection.

With it being externally heated you’ll have no problems running small volumes in it if you choose to do that, the 1500w will be fine. But with a big boiler like that, I’d want some serious heat to let me strip large washes, then a lower power option for doing the spirit runs – this may need some sort of controller or possibly 2 different heat sources.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:31 pm

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-15T12:46:49+00:00

Always had trouble running the cooling on the t500, in the end the cooling worm clogged up and I couldn’t fix it. I am trying to get a new part, but was interested in the PSII

A hot plate rated at 1500w is sold on the Brewhaus site and theoretical calculations suggest that it is fit for the job, but if its not I will do a rethink.

The PSII has a great reputation and a lot of followers and I haven’t heard any complaints about it, so I will give it a try.

Statistics: Posted by Pyro — Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:46 pm

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-15T11:57:50+00:00

Its certainly a nice bit of kit - what problems did you have with the T500 that you think you wont have with this variation of the CM design? Just curious, I had my share of issues with the T500 too.

Also I'd look into a larger heat source - 1500w with a potential 56L of wash is going to take hours and hours to come up to temp.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:57 am

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-15T07:29:45+00:00

I have enjoyed my time with the Airstill and the T500, but following problems with the T500 decided to upgrade

I felt the 15 Gallon Premium Kettle was for me, as I want to experiment with washes other than sugar. I considered getting a PSII in the past but didn’t have the confidence to go for it. Problems with the T500 aside, sooner or later I would have went for the PSII

I will be using a 1500w hot plate from a UK supplier as the plate recommended by the supplier runs on 110v.

I note that the pump supplied with the kit will also be 110V but am unconcerned as 240v to 110v are readily available in the UK.

The kit can be found on the Brewhaus sit at http://www.brewhaus.com/Essential-Extra ... 17C96.aspx

I will be using the information found on Home Distiller site at http://wiki.homedistiller.org/Tables for my running instructions.

In the meantime I am keeping her indoors and myself in booze using the Airstill

Piro

Statistics: Posted by Pyro — Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:29 am

Re: Had to be done

2011-09-14T16:01:16+00:00

Can we have some more details please

What size boiler you going to mount it on?
How you going to fire said boiler and how much available power?
What are your expected results with regard to take off speed and ABV?

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:01 pm

Had to be done

2011-09-14T14:31:19+00:00

I have just ordered a PSII High Capacity still.

Watch this space

Regards

Pyro

Statistics: Posted by Pyro — Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:31 pm