StillSmart

What are we all using instead of the Still Spirits Distillers Conditioner, if anything?
Is there any everyday household substances etc that we can use and is cheaper?

If you are making neutral from a sugar wash, I haven't used conditioner for more than 4 years and have never had a problem. As long as the wash is fermented dry, you don't really get foaming.

If running a molasses wash for rum I always melt about 200g of unsalted butter for a 35-40L still charge. It works really well.
I let it warm up to about 50oC then pour it on the top of the wash and put the column on.

I use a smart still. 4 litres of wash per run.

I had an explosive moment a while back - blew the lid off so I always use the conditioner now. Bit expensive though. I might try a bit of butter

Thanks

i never use it and i run vodkastar

I use coinage/copper. IMO if you have enough copper you don't need.

I used to use a teaspoon or two of Crisp N Dry, don't bother anymore but I only use the Airstill with a Sputnik for Gin now.

I have never used conditioner, always used copper boil pieces.
Never a problem with the SS.
The bigger versions that I made have tall columns that would require the Mother of all pukes or boilovers.
Not happened yet!

Robert.

Always use in the AS, but have used Crisp N Dry
someone on here pointed out it has anti-foaming
agent in it.Thats the main job of conditioner I
believe.Also use copper coins thanks to Mash.
I have run all sorts of crap thru the AS, so far
not managed to blow myself up.

I have run all sorts of crap thru the AS, so far
not managed to blow myself up.

Ditto.

The thing to watch is the seal. Lift the empty AS by the top, if the boiler falls away easily .. Replace the seal.

That sounds logical

Robert.

Very Very good advise Mash
nice one

The advice about using boil enhancers is probably good if using a T500 boiler or Airstil that is heated from the bottom. My still has an immersed element and boil enhancers wont have any effect.
If I run molasses was without butter it will almost certainly foam over even with 15L of headspace, so it certainly has its place.

Fair point Capt.,when you see it from a different viewpoint.

Robert.

Molasses is great stuff for making Rum.
But would give you a nasty sugar burn.
I to always use conditioner when
doing a Rum run.

Capt-Cudellez wrote:The advice about using boil enhancers is probably good if using a T500 boiler or Airstil that is heated from the bottom. My still has an immersed element and boil enhancers wont have any effect.
If I run molasses was without butter it will almost certainly foam over even with 15L of headspace, so it certainly has its place.

BANG ON. The heat has to be underneath to create the effect that saves the day.

As Proper copper coinage is getting scarce. I do wonder if something like this would work in an AS ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-ste ... XQVERS4T8y