StillSmart

ive read a lot on the forums saying its probably best not to use the T500 to strip the wash and use it just for spirit runs.what are your thoughts and is it possible to get some kind of pot head for the boiler to do the stripping runs and save the T500 just for the spirit runs ?
if so can you point me to some options to purchase..

Yes mate the T500 reflux column is very good for
neutral spirit runs, use one myself and very happy.
I have a copper alembic dome and condenser which
fits straight onto the T500 boiler.
A 25ltr strip run takes about two and three quarter
hours instead of five.
Try here they are quite good
http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/combined-a ... -and-dome/

gaza the instructor wrote:Yes mate the T500 reflux column is very good for
neutral spirit runs, use one myself and very happy.
I have a copper alembic dome and condenser which
fits straight onto the T500 boiler.
A 25ltr strip run takes about two and three quarter
hours instead of five.
Try here they are quite good
http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/combined-a ... -and-dome/

Thanks gazza,im guessing it keeps the colulm cleaner longer as well ?
when you strip your kale wash do you collect down to 30% as i did with the Airstill ? if so im guessing a parrot would make this easier as well,looking for one of those as well now.
are there any other potheads that will just fit onto the boiler without having to get the Alembic head ?

You can use the standard T500 lid and make your own short column and condenser, if you fancy having a go with a blowtorch on some copper pipe, you could build your own pot head for less than £100

yes down to 30% and this is when you use the parrot.

Anavrin wrote:You can use the standard T500 lid and make your own short column and condenser, if you fancy having a go with a blowtorch on some copper pipe, you could build your own pot head for less than £100

+1 there's a post on here by Vino Tinto on building a pot head...ypu build your own that way you get to know it better.

Anavrin wrote:You can use the standard T500 lid and make your own short column and condenser, if you fancy having a go with a blowtorch on some copper pipe, you could build your own pot head for less than £100

Cheers for that ,ive had a look at the thread looks very good but i dont have the time or the skills to do the build ,i want the easy way i know it will cost more but hey ho

Thanks chaps ,would love to have a nice little workshop and the time and tools to build stuff like this but im afraid i dont so it has to be an off the shelf jobbie ,one thing ,i see you can get the alembic dome and the condenser to fit on top ,is there any advantage to having the dome just for stripping runs or could i achieve the same results with just the condenser fitted to the lid of the boiler ?

I always do stripping and spirit run with packed t500 column. I am probably the only person here who does like that. But it works for me well. Also easier to do maths for spirit run later. And for some reason (I am probably not right) but it gives me feeling that after doing stripping and spirit runs in this way I end up with cleanest possible product that is possible to make with this equipment.

Leatherman wrote:I always do stripping and spirit run with packed t500 column. I am probably the only person here who does like that. But it works for me well. Also easier to do maths for spirit run later. And for some reason (I am probably not right) but it gives me feeling that after doing stripping and spirit runs in this way I end up with cleanest possible product that is possible to make with this equipment.

how long to strip 25 litres roughly ?
and do you clean the column after the strip and before the spirit run ?
what temps are you getting on your stripping run ?
sorry for all the questions but only used an airstill.

It usualy takes around 3 hours. 1hour to heat and 2 to run. When stripping I keep temp around 60-63. And dont clean column after each stripping. I usualy do that every 4-6runs. But must say that after each run I do a quick wash with shower into column and leave to dry. But as I said before. This way I do. Dont know if anyone else is doing stripping runs with packed column here. Possibly it might be not worth it in terms of energy and time, but works for me. Try every posible way and you will find the one which you prefer most.

gaza the instructor wrote:Yes mate the T500 reflux column is very good for
neutral spirit runs, use one myself and very happy.
I have a copper alembic dome and condenser which
fits straight onto the T500 boiler.
A 25ltr strip run takes about two and three quarter
hours instead of five.
Try here they are quite good
http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/combined-a ... -and-dome/

Cheers gazza ive bit the bullet and gone for it.
im away end of next week for about 10 days so will have to wait until im back to get stuck in .i may need a hand with the stripping part using the alembic..water flow ect.also looking for a parrot to fit with the alembic.
then i can see at a glance when its time to stop the run.

sweet mate now you can make some rum or fruit brandy
or corn whiskey etc etc.
Look in the recipes section all there mate.

gaza the instructor wrote:sweet mate now you can make some rum or fruit brandy
or corn whiskey etc etc.
Look in the recipes section all there mate.

the thing is i nearly always try and make a neutral,i want the purest cleanest i can make .
Have you got a bought parrot or are you one of the clever ones who made one ?

Me no I have two left hands. Mine was made by a fellow member.
Found this on the Bay mate it is very nice.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moonshine-Hydr ... B074V97CSH