StillSmart

Re: Pot head

2016-11-17T23:20:22+00:00

That could be the end of cake as you know it....

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Nov 17, 2016 11:20 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-11-17T19:18:13+00:00

Or if your wife has any nice silicone baking trays for cakes etc, they can "go missing" from the kitchen and become silicone seals >:D

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Thu Nov 17, 2016 7:18 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-11-17T18:50:47+00:00

Diverch wrote:
Is this just a ring of silicon cut out of a cheap chopping board or something similar?
Thanks
Diverch

Hi mate, this is the 3mm sheet I make mine from
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SILICONE-RUBBER-SHEET-200MM-SQ-1-1-5-2-3-4-5-6-8-AND-10mm-thick-/281318742739?var=&hash=item417fe75ad3:m:mdyxW0HW7MhIS6T-oygeUiA

Statistics: Posted by vino-tinto — Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:50 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-11-17T18:29:46+00:00

Pothead is built and running a vinager wash through it as I type. Surprisingly easy to make, pics to follow...

My question is, I've noticed some gas escaping from the brassnut and the t500 lid. I've had a search on the forum and people talk about a silicon seal.

Is this just a ring of silicon cut out of a cheap chopping board or something similar?

Thanks
Diverch

Statistics: Posted by Diverch — Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:29 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T18:42:09+00:00

Tasered me too....

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Thu Oct 13, 2016 6:42 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T18:23:57+00:00

Myles wrote:
Because you asked.

http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4294&p=38111#p38111

Stunning...

Statistics: Posted by inspector gadget — Thu Oct 13, 2016 6:23 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T13:21:28+00:00

Because you asked.

http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4294&p=38111#p38111

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Oct 13, 2016 1:21 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T07:59:34+00:00

Thanks for that..

is there a drawing for that? I get the idea but my head says no...

Statistics: Posted by inspector gadget — Thu Oct 13, 2016 7:59 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T07:10:06+00:00

At more than 3 kW I switch to a shotgun condenser for convenience.

I also rarely bother with a single liebig these days as I favour the use of a shorter (but more complicated to build) concentric condenser with 2 vapour paths in the same shell.

You can easily cut the length of a 3 kW liebig condenser down to 26" instead of 62"

pot still 12.png

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Oct 13, 2016 7:10 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T06:59:20+00:00

Yes there are calculators. Bear in mind that coolant temperature and flow rate affect the efficiency of the condenser. However I have found that I get a good condenser by using the default settings on the condenser size calculator on the Home Distiller Parent Site.

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc

All I do is adjust the tube size and power levels, leave everything else on default settings.
15 mm and 1800 watts equates to 0.95 mtr.

(I rarely bother with the HD forum these days but the parent site has some useful info.)

As for temperature I generally switch off power at vapour temperature of 98°C (on a strip run). Some folks strip for longer but you put so much energy in to get out the last bit of alcohol that I don't bother - it is cheaper in the long run to just do another fermentation.

I don't use the thermometer on a spirit run I use a hydrometer and parrot instead.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Oct 13, 2016 6:59 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T03:38:04+00:00

Myles wrote:
Looking at your parts I suspect you are going from 54mm into a 15/22 liebig.
Just be sure to match the liebig length to your max power.

Is there a formula for that Myles?

Also if using a temperature sensor, what at what temperature does the power need to go off?

gadget

Statistics: Posted by inspector gadget — Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:38 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T03:00:22+00:00

Looking at your parts I suspect you are going from 54mm into a 15/22 liebig.
Just be sure to match the liebig length to your max power.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:00 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-13T02:52:08+00:00

Pot stills in this size are all about convenience.
Start with the condenser in the position you want for ease of use and then just work back to the boiler to make it fit.

If you use a vertical condenser the pot still may need to be a bit taller. If you want the product end of the condenser at worktop height the same applies.

Jusy make it fit how you want to use it, and if you do use reducers that are going to be cold in use, think about whether they will hold a pool of condensate.

Thermometer is again for convenience, it has very limited use during the run. I use one but it only tells me when to turn off power at tne end of the run.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Oct 13, 2016 2:52 am

Re: Pot head

2016-10-11T21:19:23+00:00

I made mine a full meter, and don't regret it, several years on.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Oct 11, 2016 9:19 pm

Re: Pot head

2016-10-11T18:03:55+00:00

I'd forgotten the 54mm elbow but the good people at JTM sent it out for no additional postage.

Plans are to build it this weekend if I get the elbow in time.

Yup will sit in the t500 lid.

Looks simple enough, anyone got any final tips?

I was thinking about 400mm of 54mm pipe.

Statistics: Posted by Diverch — Tue Oct 11, 2016 6:03 pm