SS Reflux Still

[optic]

I want to upgrade to the reflux still but i am limited with space in the kitchen to use it,so anyone who has one can they please tell me how wide and tall it is and the water supply pipe will that fit on a sink tap?

[HangOver]

i dont have one but most refulx stills i have seen are about 36\" high and probably about 15-18\" across the pot.

[optic]

i thought it was probably about the size of a 25 ltr fermenter plus the reflux column, which for what i can make out from the other site is not really a true pukka reflux still,mind you if you can run the whole wash in one go and it spits it out somewhere in the 75-85% region that will do for me:)

[HangOver]

pretty much waht you said the total height depends on the size of the pot.

the ones i have seen up close where 5L pots

[umpa]

I have one - if you want me to measure it I will, but its not that big really, the thermometer sticking out the top adds a little hight but its not excessive.

[optic]

Hi umpa if you could please as ive only got a limited worktop space near the sink and there are cupboards above

cheers optic

[Opus 27]

Hi Optic

Getting mine on the 16th this month (Pension Day) perhaps we can compare notes/experiences. I\'m anxious to try some different recipes in mine and see what flavour I can retain.
Opus 27

[Opus 27]

On the subject of the SS Reflux, what can I expect to pull out of it alcohol wise.

Still Spirits PDF suggests 70% ABV but a lot of the stuff I read talks of 80-85%.
Opus27

[optic]

thats what i cant work out Opus 27 everyone seems to quote different %ABV,suppose a lot depends on just how you run it regarding the temp at the reflux,i may be wrong but they seem to state 4hrs for a run on the SS website to get 70%ABV,where as some of the forum posts ive read say they take 6-7 hrs per run to get 85%.

cheers optic

[bluecap]

Hi how I run my reflux is I have the temperature between 78c and 82c above 82 and you have rubbing alcohol mixed in. After discarding the first 50ml I take off half a litre per kilo of sugar so a 6 kilo sugar wash I take 3 litres of which is always 82% it really is easy to keep the temperature as long as your water pressure doesn’t fluctuate our does so I use the emersion tank (obviously with cold water in) the last bit can struggle but it does gets there.
It takes about a hour and half to warm up but be carful the temperature can be 30c but shoots up within a minute, turn your water on under 50c and then its just waiting I use a digital thermometer with a alarm on so it warns me when the temperature gets to high but if you start of off at about 80c. it just runs till maybe nearly the end when you might have to up the water pressure a bit
After the 3 litres I up the temperature to 90max take another litre of and save it, when I get 5 litres add 20 litres of water run as a normal run as above.

[Opus 27]

Thanks for that Bluecap. I\'ve also been looking at Tony Acklands site (http://distillers.tastylime.net/library ... /intro.htm) There\'s some pretty good stuff on the site although it strained this pensioners brain a bit at times. Only 5 day\'s to go when I collect the still and Ive got a 25 litre wash ready to go in. Still deciding if I should keep the SS Air Still or sell it on to recoup funds. By the way Bluecap I notice that was your 100th post are you going to choose a title other than \"Member\"
Opus 27

[optic]

Bluecap have you tried running it as a pot still by bypassing the reflux coil with cooling water,is it possible?,if so i suppose you might get 5-6ltrs @ 60ish%,a couple of washes done on stripping runs then put both in and do a reflux spirit run,have you tried this,think i have found a home for the airstill if so will have to get the reflux

cheers optic.

[optic]

Bluecap have you tried running it as a pot still by bypassing the reflux coil with cooling water,is it possible?,if so i suppose you might get 5-6ltrs @ 60ish%,a couple of washes done on stripping runs then put both in and do a reflux spirit run,have you tried this,think i have found a home for the airstill if so will have to get the reflux

cheers optic.

[bluecap]

Hi again I think the way to run it as a pot still is to run it as normal but without the packing in, this should result in more water running in to the collection vessel at the same time as the alcohol hence more flavour.
Have I tried it? No I nearly did with a shredded wheat wash but ended up doing it as a normal spirit run, I think I might have been running short but I will try it when I get around to it, I think I also read that somewhere there is no need for a stripping run then a spirit run, the reflux can do it all in one run as it is neither a perfect reflux still or a pot still, but you always have the security if it don’t work out, bang it through again.

[HangOver]

bluecap am i right? did yousay you get about 3L of 82% from a 20L wash?
Is yours a super reflux or a reflux?