Can I stop t500 mid run then start again?

[Jonc26uk]

Hi ppl

Just wondering Can I stop t500 mid run then start again?

When I start it again do u just carry on collecting?

[YHB]

Yes,

Run it in full reflux mode for 30 minutes to let the column stabilise and then you are back in business.

[Capt-Cudellez]

You'll only run into trouble if you stop really near the end of the run and want to start up again, it will take forever for the column to equalises, other wise no issues at any other point to restart.

On a large charge on my still, I'll offer remove the heads on a Friday evening, then get up on a Saturday to start the hearts collection.

[Anavrin]

Hi Capt-Cudellez

I'm interested in how you remove your heads the night before, are you measuring the output vapour temp and controlling the CM cooling so that only vapour that boils below a certain temp is collected? I think that's possible with a CM still like the t500, I'm toying with the idea of buying a Still Dragon Deflagemator so that I can do the same, although I feel a build coming on because this close to xmas I have no penny's for shiny SD stuff, but lots of spare copper.

[Jonc26uk]

Thanks everyone, what about leaving the still for 10mins, while I have to drop daughter at school? Could I just turn the cooling water up high then come back and readjust the water back to correct temp? I know u shouldn't leave a still but school is just at the end of my street.

[Anavrin]

I leave mine running sometimes as I can get distracted by family life round the house, but I don't feel confident enough to leave the house, I'm sure it would soon get back to the boil if you switched it off for a few mins.

A few years ago when I had my brew shed and mainly make AG beers, I used to have a few cans while my HLT was warming up, then go to the pub for an hour while mashing, come back, sparge and get back to the pub for another hour after my boil started and my first hops were in! Happy Days

[YHB]

Thanks everyone, what about leaving the still for 10mins, while I have to drop daughter at school? Could I just turn the cooling water up high then come back and readjust the water back to correct temp? I know u shouldn't leave a still but school is just at the end of my street.

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Come-on you know the answer as well as every one else, no one will give you the answer you want to hear.

Just think about what you are risking for the sake of thirty minutes?

All it takes is for you to get to school and the teacher asks to see you about a problem with your daughter etc etc.

I have a big red button on my controller which is next to the door of my shed - If I leave the shed I hit the button, I did not used to do it every time, but a couple of occasions I got distracted and now it is second nature.

[Capt-Cudellez]

Hi Capt-Cudellez

I'm interested in how you remove your heads the night before, are you measuring the output vapour temp and controlling the CM cooling so that only vapour that boils below a certain temp is collected? I think that's possible with a CM still like the t500, I'm toying with the idea of buying a Still Dragon Deflagemator so that I can do the same, although I feel a build coming on because this close to xmas I have no penny's for shiny SD stuff, but lots of spare copper.

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Hi Anavrin,
Sorry I missed your question - I'm running a VM. If running really slowly on low power and an extended period of equalisation of the column (100% reflux) the heads can be concentrated down to about 10% of the total volume,of course this is depending how clean your ferment is, what your fermenting etc, but 10% is a good target, and if your fermenting consistently, your heads are usually pretty consistent too.

So charging the still with 30L of 27% low wines = 8.1l of alcohol - so collecting at 95.6% I'd expect the first 850mls to be heads.
I would probably collect just over that shut down for the evening, then start up the next day after a short equalisation - I'd put the first 50mls or so to heads and I'm right into the hearts.

If I was doing a large run like that in a single sitting - I wouldn't be bothered with a long equalization and slow collection - the heads would probably be closer to 15-16% of the volume but I'd be finished much sooner.

[Anavrin]

Thanks for that Capt-Cudellez

I was thinking for some reason you had a CM still like a T500 when I wrote that, I really need to get to grips with my boka when it comes to separating heads, I've been using too much cooling and probably too much power, that or my nose is too sensitive, I can detect them in the first 30% of what I collect,
Next time I do a big spirit run in a couple of weeks, I'll do it over two days, heads first, and write down everything, going to invest in a power meter too so I can see how many watts I'm using.

Then you lot can pick holes in my method, we should create
"The ultimate guide to running a boka" .PDF:)