From pot to reflux

[Easydrinker]

Domasj, sometimes the other posters here make me smack my own head and ask why.
There are some smart guys out there.
Listen to what they say.

Robert.

[Leatherman]

I always do! And appreciate all answers and all opinions. If not you all I wouldnt be anywhere near in my understanding and enjoyment of this hooby now. Many carma points goes from me to you all.

[Leatherman]

So I did some runs over weekend. Pot and reflux. Few things I found.

Reflux mode: Stripping vodka star wash. About 40litres. Used t500 reflux column and 4" to 2" reducer. To avoid saddles falling from column to boiler, just bought stainless stell scrubber (not sure if its a right name for it, something to wash pots) and push in the end on column. For any reason column was puking. Big jumps on outlet water temp and big pukes of very warm product. Used 2.5kw element for heating without controller. Can maybe someone help me to understand what was the reason for puking. Used two packs of ceramic saddles in boiler and a bit of cooking oil. Could it be that I used 2.5kw but not 2kw like t500 boiler?
Thats for your answers

[Leatherman]

P.s
Did one spirit run on t500 set. Boiler and column and everything went very well. So it gives me an idea that it is boiler related problem

[Mash]

Have to got any copper in the bottom of the boiler?

[Leatherman]

No, never had. Would it be helpfull? I thought that ceramic saddles should do the job?

[H12rpo]

It could’ve been the Ss scrubby mate. You shouldn’t just shove it in there straight out of the packet but rather kind of pull it apart/stretch it out and then when it’s quite expanded put it in

[Mash]

^ good point.

A handful of bits of copper help in many ways.

Most use pipe offcuts (1/2 of them hammered flat) or copper washers

1. They smooth out the alcohol by reacting with the sulphites in the wash.

2. They prevent pukes by creating nucleation points & movement to aid bubble formation.

3. Indicate you are near the boil by rattling quite well, as they bounce about.

4. Maybe even reduce foaming. (starch issues)

[Leatherman]

Copper worked! Thanks for you advice on that! Nice stable smooth stripping run.

[Anavrin]

I might be a bit late to the party here but for a stripping run, I would recommend the Pot Still over the t500, it will be much quicker and as stripping runs get hotter than spirit runs, no plastic bits involved in the column.

[Leatherman]

How stupid am I that I do my stripping runs with packed column? Is it worth it? I found that I works for me, but what would be general opinion about that?

[Easydrinker]

I am also late to this party, but would say that you do not strip with a packed column, and you always use copper pieces in your boiler.
I am always happy to be proved wrong.

Robert.