StillSmart

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-11-03T08:38:30+00:00

I have no regrets buying the T500,if you run it with a PRV it more or less runs its self.Once the temp settles down at the start of the run, the temp will move up and down a little but well within tolerance. I check it every 20 to 30 mins but it just works, and does what its supposed to do with out any fuss.

The way the column fits on to the lid could be better,sometimes its a faff to get it to seal properly, you might have to have a couple of goes before it seals. Tried new seals PJ etc the design could be improved.

Had a problem with the product turning a pale straw color over time, that was caused by not cleaning the copper saddles, cleaned them in citric acid and put another packet of saddle in as well so now it has twice as many saddles as standard.

I tried a Eccencia filter but I prefer to do two runs,a stripping run then a spirit run, more work but better product I think.Are there better stills on the market for a similar price, probably. I looked at stills from the US that were a about the same price as the T500, but it was risky in the fact if it got lost in transit you had no come back on the supplier, its just easier to buy of a UK supplier with no hassle.Buy one you wont regret it.

Statistics: Posted by Luckyshot — Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:38 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-10-03T22:36:39+00:00

John51 wrote:
I suppose it's down to how you define 'Unattended'.

I do regret trying to build my own instead of buying a T500 straight away. Then again, all I want is vod at a reasonable cost and minimal hassle.

I sort of agree with you here.
I manage to run my home built pot stilled neutral almost by numbers and little effort,and generally while watching TV or surfing,but it really does benefit from carbon filtering.
My bonus,is to me ,that when I want to try a flavoured wash and spirit,I can play around to my hearts contentment.
Different strokes and all that.
Made easier by knowing the result that you wish to achieve.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:36 pm

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-10-03T08:23:09+00:00

I suppose it's down to how you define 'Unattended'.

If you use a pressure relief valve or the new gizmo that Still Spirits sell to keep the water pressure constant then all you have to do is be at home and give the still a quick look every 15 minutes or so.

At first you'll need to be watching more frequently but once you know what to expect it's no hassle at all. Actual work time for me comes to 30 minutes per run. This includes making up a new wash which I do while the T500 is heating up.

The rest of the time I'm surfing or on Netflix.

I do regret trying to build my own instead of buying a T500 straight away. Then again, all I want is vod at a reasonable cost and minimal hassle.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Sat Oct 03, 2015 8:23 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-07-02T10:50:30+00:00

You have just done a cracking pitch for the slow food movement !!

I agree with you - on both count.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:50 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-07-02T09:41:48+00:00

My T500 gives me an acceptable product with a single run and no filtering. The magic ingredient being time. Long cool ferments, wash clear enough to not need conditioner. Pouring the wash into the still is enough degassing after 5 or 6 weeks in the fermenter. Very slow low temp run, ~42'C. Although I've found that about 30 minutes into collecting hearts I can increase the temp to ~52'C with no loss in quality.

I've no doubt that those with sensitive taste and smell could find fault with my vod but everyone that tastes my stuff rates it better than store bought. Then again, I don't mix with people that pay over £30 for a bottle of vod.

wrt leaving the still unattended, it is a question of degree. If you do the same thing every time, it becomes routine. If you are the type to never be at home, then buy your booze in the pub. If you're home for the day, might as well run the still. Total invested time for a run for me is less than an hour. That includes making up a new wash, which happens while the T500 is warming up.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:41 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-17T23:09:46+00:00

Totally bonkers,and maybe true MR F.S.
Had me grinning from ear to ear.
Thanks for that.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:09 pm

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-17T12:39:19+00:00

cracking and insightful post. Thank you..

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:39 pm

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-17T10:42:23+00:00

Build your own if you are thirsty or have a workshop or any combination of the two.

Looking back from this side of the world where it's all legal it's a funny old business.

The UK market is absolutely enormous given that you are such kittens when it comes to retailing distilling equipment. I mean that nicely - how else can you use kittens? ( Roald Searle " Hark hark the dogs do bark the Duke is fond of kittens. He likes to cut their insides out and use the fur for mittens" )

4 million people in New Zealand and last time I looked 70 something million in your front room so it cracks me up to know that a couple of fag puffing engineers and a lathe in some shithouse shed in The Hutt ( yes it's a place. Essex with trees) can manufacture a beautiful entry level still for shed less blokes with a credit card. I mean that fairly. It's a good product and they are honourable men. You my dear friends are like East Berlin before the fall of the wall. Looking at Trabants and someone offers you a Toyota.

Give it a couple of years after distilling is made legal in the UK and they will be just another packet of biscuits on the shelf. But right now they stand out and that is " good for you"

Last night I went to see a reading of James Joyce's "Ulysses" and maybe that set me up for tonight's rave. It's all true I tell ye. Every ill begotten sentence.

Statistics: Posted by Mr Four Square — Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:42 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-17T07:08:22+00:00

Please keep us posted.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:08 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-16T11:47:30+00:00

Mr Four Square wrote:
If I was going to do it all again (buy stuff) I'd buy this companies pot boiler and reflux.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/lifestyle/home-brewing/distillation-equipment/auction-901632053.htm

They used to manufacture the Still Spirits gear and have made a lot of improvements to the T500.
Double skinned boiler. Double element for pot and reflux running. No plastic top section. Water enters at the head so temperature adjustment is more positive. Lots more copper.

I don't know what the shipping costs would do to the price but they retail here for less than the T500 as they sell direct from the factory.

This looks like a great setup. I think that I will contact them re shipping costs.

Thanks

Matt

Statistics: Posted by MattN — Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:47 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-14T11:37:42+00:00

@Jaggie, best reason for the bigger boiler (such as the 100 litre keg mentioned) isn't due to a bigger boiler charge.

Its actually for headspace. It would be very reasonable to put 50 litres of molasses based wash in a 100 litre boiler on a strip run because it can cause a lot of foam.

It can be confusing because most folks selling boilers don't quote actual volume, instead it is typical for them to quote a boiler charge volume. That may be fine for a spirit run but with some washes you have to charge a lot less on a strip run.

25 litre fermenter into a 50 litre keg works just fine. 2 x 25 litre fermenters is probably 3 boiler charges (or more) in a 25 litre boiler. Both scenarios work - just the time duration that is different.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:37 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-11-04T10:00:06+00:00

I don't regret buying my T500 because I didn't have the skills or workshop to build my own. It was a nice assist to get me into this hobby as it has been for lots of people. A set of training wheels. I like the 25 litre size. It keeps the barrels and the ingredients at a reasonable scale. Everything gets a lot bigger and heavier when you are filling 50 litres.

The T500 is a bit tricky to drive on account of the the cooling travelling halfway down the column. When you start adjusting water flow the cooling quickly affects the reflux in the whole column and it fluctuates up and down until equilibrium is re established.

Plus you might find you want to use a pot still option early on for stripping or making whiskey, fruit brands and rums. The boiler on the T500 is nearly 2000 watts so you would also need a voltage controller to run it as a pot still.

If I was going to do it all again (buy stuff) I'd buy this companies pot boiler and reflux.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/lifestyle/home-brewing/distillation-equipment/auction-901632053.htm

They used to manufacture the Still Spirits gear and have made a lot of improvements to the T500.
Double skinned boiler. Double element for pot and reflux running. No plastic top section. Water enters at the head so temperature adjustment is more positive. Lots more copper.

I don't know what the shipping costs would do to the price but they retail here for less than the T500 as they sell direct from the factory.

Statistics: Posted by Mr Four Square — Sun Jun 14, 2015 9:32 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-14T08:16:39+00:00

MattN wrote:
What other option are out there? I have seen some Chinese versions on Ebay as well as some from Poland.
Matt

i wouldn't buy a still unless i knew something about how they operate or how others rated them. For me the T500 works not to big or small, i only have space for 2 25l fermenters. So being able to run the 25l all at once is good but i've noticed we always want a larger still 50l or 100l. I work out of the kitchen(which if truth be told) my wife hates. if you get one the temperature sender will leak buy PTFE tape and read everything about T500 first it will help you
good luck on your choice
jag

Statistics: Posted by Jaggie — Sun Jun 14, 2015 8:16 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-14T07:54:10+00:00

MattN wrote:
Thanks for the reply's. What other option are out there? I have seen some Chinese versions on Ebay as well as some from Poland. The T500 seems to be the only ready to use one that I can see in the UK.

Matt

Myles wrote:As for the T500 itself - well there are other options available. Its up to you in the end and you should write a list and compare the options.

Depends how much work you wish to do. You can get an SD Milk Can boiler for less than the price of a T500. Of course you then need to get / make / or have made, a column to go with it. Or you can go down the keg boiler route.

30 litre stove top boiler is an option. 30 litre keg on an electric hotplate is another. Gas or electric (I recommend electric for ease of use)

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:54 am

Re: T500.... Regrets?

2015-06-14T06:19:58+00:00

Mashy wrote:
I prefer to run my stills unattended and I really don't like the water waste.

please replace "unattended" with "without continuous attention"

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jun 14, 2015 6:19 am