StillSmart

Hi All

New to this distilling thing, and just completed my first wash and t500 distillation. Now I have a couple of questions and hoping the knowledge of this board can help.

I wasn't sure about the wash as the hydrometer was showing .998 (not very low), but I figured I used 7kg of dextrose, turbo yeast and turbo carbon, and it bubbled for a week, so what could be wrong. Does the carbon increase the SG? I would imagine it should.

Anyway after clearing I ran it through the still. I got the coolant drain temp steady between 55 and 60C but absolutely nothing was coming out. After 1 hour I started to increase the temperature. and 74C - 78C seemed to be the sweet spot. I got about 3l of liquid from the still at this temp, with an SG of about 95%. I believe I have some good quality alcohol, but can anyone shed any light on why the temps were so high???

Thanks for any advice.

Adam

I first thing I do is calibrate the temperature probe, take readings by dipping it in ice water (around 0*c) then in freshly boiled water (around 100*c)

If the probe is fine then maybe unpack the column and make sure there is nothing in there that shouldn't be.
Others will be along soon to offer more advice.

Oh and never ever use that carbon stuff in your wash

The finished gravity of the wash was great, 3 litres of product from the wash sounds right to me. My T500 ‘sweet spot’ is 60 degrees.
I also would check the temp on the thermometer. I would also completely unpack the column wash and refill

The volume of product sounds about right for any still.
Was that a single distillation?
i.e. no strip run?
If so try that next.
Many here swear by it.


Robert.

Thanks for the quick response. I have confirmed the thermometer readings and repacked the column. I guess I have to wait until the next wash is ready now. Speaking of which, why do you say to not use the carbon in the wash?

Thanks again for the help.

There will be no improvement at all, if anything it'll cause you more work when you come to clean your equipment.

I would agree to check your temp probe, especially at this time of year as the mains supply is very cold, so if anything you should be quite a bit lower than stated in the T500 instructions.