Airstill, Best Practice and Results

[Frank]

@S4BB:
mate, I am not using an airstill anymore and I would NOT assume to know more about such than the aforeposted members regardless....

may I just add that fores are for a killing of weeds, heads are for a killing headache and tails are for a killing of your capacity to find a decent neutral.

So.... keep ALL such from your consumption, regardless (IMHO*) and all the rest, which is aka 'hearts' cut, shall provide progress in terms of enjoying this fine hobby.
* exceptions variably arise re tails and running a potstill AG....but that's a thread-steal

Oh IMHO don't be reticent to use/pay for a 'decent' water for your bottled spirit....carbon filtering is only going to make an attempted reduction of nasties (subject to using an expensive, regularly renewed and calibrated setup, anyway)

have fun mate

[Spirits4BB]

Thx Frank.....
Just sampling my first wares..... Mmmmm, tastes fantastic.
Thx for all the help lads, I'm hooked!! I love this new angle to my brewing hobby.

S4BB

[Easydrinker]

It's good to welcome a new convert.
Have fun.

Robert.

[Spirits4BB]

I'm now finding that 25 litre stripping runs on an Airstill can be a repetitive PITA.
Oh Turbo 500 where are you??? Daddies coming to get you....

S4BB

[Easydrinker]

LOL
You need to get into a rhythm with a small still,it helps.

Robert.

[Mash]

LOL
You need to get into a rhythm with a small still,it helps.

Robert.

Yup. I bought a second and a timer. Hot swaps help too. Have run much larger batches in the past.

[Spirits4BB]

Yup. I bought a second and a timer. Hot swaps help too. Have run much larger batches in the past.

Hot swap?? Do you mean to pre heat the wash in a pan to save time?
I was thinking if this was possible.

[Easydrinker]

Some people have,and continue to pre-heat wash for an air still.
You obviously need to take care pouring hot liquid and not leave your pan unattended,but hey making jam can be dangerous....

Robert.

[MattN]

Is cleaning the inside of the fan housing an easy operation or should I leave well alone?

Matt

[Mash]

Complete strip down isn't hard. I have had one apart cleaned and reassembled in about 30 mins.

[Mash]

Yup. I bought a second and a timer. Hot swaps help too. Have run much larger batches in the past.

Hot swap?? Do you mean to pre heat the wash in a pan to save time?
I was thinking if this was possible.

If you have a large volume to get through and do multiple runs in one day. Pre heat helps for sure. But when you empty the hot still and immediately refill, the latent heat contributes to reducing the run time in the second & subsequent run.... about 20-30 mins.

[hampk]

It can certainly be done, but gauntlets and goggles are almost essential unless you fancy an alcoholic sauna!

[Mash]

Never ever been a problem. Try it - you might like it.

[hampk]

Oh I have, and it works - but I nearly boiled my eyebrows off the first time I tried it

[Mash]

lol. I run the cold tap to control the steam.