StillSmart

Re: heads ?

2018-07-11T21:58:45+00:00

A simple observation.
If you can build or buy a second column, to enable you to swap at will, you have the best of both worlds, strip or spirit.
I can understand the work in un-packing a column.
Equally, I suspect that using the same column for strips and spirit just has to cause issues.
But, hey what do I know?

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-11T10:58:35+00:00

I always dk stripping and spirit runs with packed column. Takes longer, but its just the way I do. Also makes my math easier for spirit run.

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:58 am

Re: heads ?

2018-07-10T21:35:14+00:00

IMHO unpacking and repacking the column is a real pain in the arse as you need to seperate all the copper from the stainless, however it doesn't hurt to try.

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Tue Jul 10, 2018 9:35 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-10T16:31:04+00:00

I would run it as a pot still for stripping. Try it you might like it

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jul 10, 2018 4:31 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-10T13:34:15+00:00

I've got a 25L VS wash that I'm planning to strip either this evening or tomorrow. Would it be worth taking out the T500 packing and running it as a pot still for the strip? Would that be quicker? Or should I just stick to what I've done before and run it as a reflux still?

Statistics: Posted by Thunderbird — Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:34 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-04T22:38:30+00:00

Mash I did look into water recirculation but reading about other people's attempts I decided against it, I do have solar but my moonshining is usually done at night

The used hot water goes straight into fermenter and is ready for yeast the next morning, if I don't need washes it'll go on the garden or occasionally used for satinizing bits and bobs so the waste is minimal

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:38 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T22:28:03+00:00

Building a bigger air still worked for me.
Electricity can be very "Green".
A 25 litre boiler with pot or reflux column is all I need, but I bet you could go bigger.

Robert/

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:28 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T14:40:49+00:00

BH You have come to the same conclusion I did. The issue is not the kit. The issue with water usage.

There are options...

Consider recirculating it. What about a beer chiller and a reservoir drum with the solar pump?

I have to say this is one of the reasons I have never bought a watercooled still. I solved the problem, with freezing and the doublebarrelled AS. Just too easy. Its whatever suits.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:40 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T10:22:47+00:00

I only used my still spirits alemic kit a couple of times as my water is metered too and the wastage was shocking. My advise would be to try sell the condenser arm and either find someone to build a much longer one or try and make one yourself if you can?

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:22 am

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T10:30:48+00:00

Mash wrote:
Jocularity aside. Regardless of the type (and BH's is a nice thing, but I wouldn't say it out loud) A pot head should be quicker. IMO Setup properly you should get a greater vapour flow to the condenser - quicker. And a quicker startup. Very popular for people to setup 2 easily interchangeable rigs. A dedicated stripper and a separate column for spirit runs.
Gins IMO want a pot head - you are adding flavours not looking to restrict them.

So Mash, are you saying that even with the SS alembic setup I should be able to do a stripping run quicker than with the reflux column? I'm open to experimentation but if I'm going to waste a huge amount of water (especially in this weather plus I'm metered) I think I might stick with the reflux column for now. But if water usage would be about the same due to the time saving I might give it a try.

Gins I usually make using the Airstill but it's so time consuming. Now I've found recipes I like I'd like to be able to make them quicker, hence I bought the alembic dome and condenser (I also want to try making whisky).

Statistics: Posted by Thunderbird — Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:57 am

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T08:06:36+00:00

Brewhunter wrote:
It's a lot quicker to strip on my pot head also on my setup I can use a lot less water.

Another benefit is the column packing does not get smelly as quickly as it would using it constantly

Yup.

Jocularity aside. Regardless of the type (and BH's is a nice thing, but I wouldn't say it out loud) A pot head should be quicker. IMO Setup properly you should get a greater vapour flow to the condenser - quicker. And a quicker startup. Very popular for people to setup 2 easily interchangeable rigs. A dedicated stripper and a separate column for spirit runs.
Gins IMO want a pot head - you are adding flavours not looking to restrict them.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jul 03, 2018 8:06 am

Re: heads ?

2018-07-03T00:45:44+00:00

I suggest that you read between the lines of some of the old comedians here and follow the path that seems to suit you.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:45 am

Re: heads ?

2018-07-02T22:11:32+00:00

Wow, that’s nice Brewhunter. As a mere mortal though I think I’ll have to stick with my original plan of attack as I don’t have that lovely setup.

Statistics: Posted by Thunderbird — Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:11 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-02T21:13:02+00:00

like wise with the wife BH she could scare the local thugs.

Statistics: Posted by gaza the instructor — Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:13 pm

Re: heads ?

2018-07-02T21:35:01+00:00

Mash wrote:
Good mood lighting.

Mood lighting? lol

Statistics: Posted by Brewhunter — Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:08 pm