StillSmart

Hey Guys

So I've just been given an 11gallon keg and am gonna make 2 columns, one as a pot still and one reflux, what I need to know is numbers to collect from both, I'll be putting 48 litres of VS in the keg.

Cheers Paul

@ PJB: You have not provided sufficient information to be able to give you an estimate.

Why build 2 columns? I have only one, but reconfigure it for what I am running. As a pot, I use a short column, no packing and push it. As a reflux still, I add an extension to 3x the length, use packing and don't push it.

There are many factors that will have an effect on your return.

Thanks for your reply Rum

Sorry...Yeah I'm just gonna have extensions to make it bigger as a reflux, I'm hoping to have an element fitted and a controller attached for the power, I'll have 2 x 25lt vodka star with 7kg sugar. I'm after just making neutral spirit, at present I have an air still but the time it takes to double run is something I dont always have.

Cheers Paul

Hi PJB

For any kind of run you need to know two things, first the amout of alcohol in your boiler and secondly how much liquid is needed to cover the heating element in your boiler and ensure you never get close to exposing the element as you boil off the liquid.

For a stripping run, in pot still mode the ABV of your product will drop as you collect, most people when stripping for neutral will collect until the ABV of the product coming off the still is between 40-30%, past this point your mostly collecting tails and its not worth the power to collect anymore.

If you strip down to 30% off two 24 litre washes with 7kg sugar in each, I'm guessing you'll collect around 12 litres at an average of 55%

As I said, that's a guess because I don't think anyone uses that much sugar with VS, it says 6kg on the pack but most people keep their sugar between 5kg-5.5kg for a 25litre wash to avoid stressing the yeast.

Once you have your strip, assuming 12litres at 55%, this will make 22litres once diluted to 30% for the spirit run.

This it where you need to know how much water it takes to cover you heating element, there will be about 6 -7 litres of alcohol to collect off your 22 litre boiler charge at 90%+ ABV if using a packed column, so you need to ensure there will still be plenty of water covering your element when you've finished.

Anavrin,
Well done, I don't think anyone could have bettered your response.
Nice to see regulars helping newbies.

Robert.

Cheers Anavrin

Still early days and hoping to get everything fixed up soon,,,I sent you a PM last week about air still.

Cheers Paul