T500 alembic dome and condenser

[eattheliving]

Hi all, not posted for a while, been having too much fun with my t500.

Anyway I feel like I'm ready for a new challenge, so I've been looking at the alembic condenser.

My query is: do I need the dome with the condenser as we'll and what difference would it make if I run with just the condenser attached to the normal t500 top?

Also I assume that this condenser is good for whiskies?

Thanks guys

[Anavrin]

Hi eattheliving

It says that the alembic condenser can be used with the normal T500 top, I don't think it would make any noticeable difference to the end product if you didn't get the dome top, it looks expensive at £112, I'd be tempted to make my own.

In fact I've been wanting to make a column that fits the T500 for a while, I don't have one so don't know the size of the hole, I could make you something for half that price.

[eattheliving]

Thanks mate. What would be the build time and MSG me with a price please?

Cheers

[Anavrin]

I've figured out the size of the hole in the T500 top, it's 48mm, just a tad larger than the. 1.5 inch BSP thread on the screw in bit that holds the column on, I'm still figuring out how best to connect a column, then I'll know how much it'll cost and how long it takes.

[Icefever]

..In fact I've been wanting to make a column that fits the T500 for a while, I don't have one so don't know the size of the hole,

Forgive me Anavrin if you've read this post mate...granny, sucking eggs & all that... Vino Tinto's build it's so easy...even I made one... .....and your dead right about the £112 smackers for a short length of copper pipe..I've enough in the scrap bin to build one.

[Anavrin]

Yeah I was thinking along the lines of VT's post

[Fil]

I've figured out the size of the hole in the T500 top, it's 48mm, just a tad larger than the. 1.5 inch BSP thread on the screw in bit that holds the column on, I'm still figuring out how best to connect a column, then I'll know how much it'll cost and how long it takes.

i just screwed a 64mm flange 2" sanitary tube fitting with a 1.5" bsp f thread onto the t500 column connector using a ptfe wrapped card gasket in the inside and filled the lid indentation arround the flange fitting with flour paste.

very simple i have a spare threaded fitting as i had to buy a pair with clamp and gasket via ebay seller metajune iirc.

[JOHN DOE]

Hi i got the alembic pot head and condenser, i thought it was ok as price goes. it would take me ages to source and build this and copper is pretty expensive. i made rum and its great, it says the large dome pot helps to reduce sulphurs. you get lots of flavour but you do need to find a way to reduce the boiler as it tends to come out a bit fast to begin with. it would be nice to get some kind of thermostat control on the boil element to start the run slower, but the rum is great flavour through this new cooper pot head and condenser. i would build stuff in future , now i have a better idea of how they work and if i can get hold of the copper at a good price. I'm sure you can have fun making your own.

[Almanac]

Hate to muddy the waters here but that condenser looks just an ordinary Liebig with a bend and a large fixing nut to fit onto the dome.

My 1Mt Liebig cost me Euro18 to make and a piece of copper bent to shape and the correct sized fitting wouldn't add more than another tenner and another tenner for a thermo, although why you'd want one there I've no idea.

This is the drawing and parts for my condenser, click on it to see all the detail


AM

[eattheliving]

aidanmac... just sent you a PM matey

[Admiral Toad]

As a few of you may recall I've been running my T500 boiler through a simple 18" X 2" copper pothead with Liebig condensor for some time now both for making real grain whisky with some grand results plus stripping for neutral spirit before finishing on the standard reflux

Was in my local HBS picking up some supplies when the gaffer showed me one of the alembic dome tops and being a typical gadget collector plus a cracking price (£70) it came home with me
Did a stripping run tonight (with a fast fermented wash ie not the purest) using dome head plus usual pothead and Condensor

Apart from looking rather twee what an improvement 3+ litres in first hour whole run done from heating up to finish in just over 4 hours so nearly an hour saved similar yield but dare I say a bit better quality so should produce good neutral on the reflux run and didn't need as much cooling water either

A result methinks !

Now REALLY looking forward to the next Whisky run

[Easydrinker]

AT, respect your input on here,you seem to know what you are talking about,and you have become one of my All forum Whisky gurus.
Interesting to read what you say about the Alembic dome,wishing you well with it.
Robert.

[eattheliving]

happy new year to everyone.


Santa was very good to me and delivered the SS alembic condenser for xmas.

my question is :

I would like to attempt my first single malt but need a fairly easy recipe to follow and was wondering if you very nice people could recommend one please?
or is this one a good start: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1440
many thanks

[Easydrinker]

Yes,that is indeed a good start point.
The following link is to one of my own.
I think better,but then that is normal.
Have fun.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3027&p=19792&hilit=robert%27s+malt#p19792

Robert.

[eattheliving]

thanks for the help Easyd.

but when I have gone to my local HB shop he suggested that 6kg of lme is too much??

what your thoughts guys?

also has anyone had dealings with the below company as they appear to do lme cheaper than my local as in about £9 cheaper per 1.5kg tin
http://www.brewsmarter.co.uk/bh-light-l ... 1762-p.asp

and is it the right LME for the glenm clone?

cheers