Cooling time

[Maurice]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of getting one of the air cooled smartstills. One of the things I keep reading is that you have to let it cool for some time after using it before opening it . My question is , how long are we talking about ?
Thanks.

[Jedmau5]

Usually i leave mine overnight, but when im in a hurry i leave it at least 20 minutes and open it with a towel in hand but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone to do this as you risk scolding yourself etc

[chill]

I've opened it after 5-10 minutes. I guess I am not very risk adverse.

Do NOT trip or bang your elbow and spill the hot slops over both of your hands. Trust me on that one. I'd advice taking the top off when you are ready and then letting it sit for 20 more minutes, it cools rapidly once the top is off.


Chuck

[Maurice]

Thanks , I was wondering how much time I would have to wait between runs . Looks like I could run a 25 litre batch in a weekend .

[Jedmau5]

Starting when I get in from work I can do 2 stripping runs a night. I have a temperature controlled kettle which I boil the wash in to 75 degrees before putting it in the air still This takes an hour of the overall time per run

[Almanac]

Also, when you get the lid off chuck in a load of ice and give it a few mins. Works for me.

AM

[diego321]

I dont let it cool at all. You just need to be smart on how you remove the lid. U just need to understand how the steam will come out when you open it, so you need to lift the lid from one side only with your hands on the oposite side of the lid (and obviously your hands covered with a towel), as you open it, do a continous motion with your hands in a way that once the lid is fully removed the lid should be up side down on your hands completely away from the boiler.

And just in case you didnt get the tip, dont just remove it and turn it upside down on top of the boiler, that just would cause the steam to go up and get your hands....

Personally, this is not risky at all, there is much more likehood you get burnt by cooking than removing the lid from a still just after finishing the run....