I think I have stopped the still blowing its top.

by **bluecap** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:22 pm

Hi all
What I have done is smashed a cup and run the still with about 6 or 7 of the small broken pointy pieces about Â½ to Â¾ of an inch in size.
This resulted in the last 2 distillates running without even a pop and I got an even flow from the still rather than a slow drip quick surge slow drip scenario that I normally get (or got).
The one thing that did worry me while it was running was I could hear the bits of cup rattling about and was worried that it might be ruining the base of the still but on completion there wasnâ€™t even a scratch on the inside base.
If anybody tries it post back and let us know if it worked for you.
Have fun

Mick

by **pi55ed** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:38 am

Is the cup glazed or unglazed???????
I have heard of putting old worn glass in too non sharp though,
I wonder if small pebbles would do the trick too?

by **quietman** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:03 am

It's not happened to me yet but this seems like a plan
Q

by **bluecap** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:13 am

It was just a normal glazed pot type cup that was never used, the sort you would get in a cafÃ© with a mug of tea.

by **pi55ed** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:11 am

Interesting........

i have had 2 overflows..... the spirit cleaned the fridge lid and the floor, but the room smelled like a distillery/brewery.....

Since i really shake my finnished brew i havnt had a mishap since (hopefully)

I may try some well used broken crockery......

Although a nail into the lid might hold it with super glue.

by **Jimmy** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:42 pm

I know you were only joking but you definitely don't want to nail, glue or otherwise force the lid to stay on - it's designed to come off like that to release the pressure, and if you don't let it get out then the whole thing could explode, or at the very least bits of it!

by **umpa** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:20 am

isn't thid the same thing as putting the little ceramic rings in ?
The only time mine popped its top was when I forgot to put the rings in,,

by **HangOver** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:39 pm

had mine blow a couple of times, even with the rings in.
Last time I go a stainless steel fork bent it to odd angles and threw that in as well as the rings.

It hasnt happened since.

I shook the hell out of the wash before i put it in the still so although the gas is a contributary factor I dont think it can be the only reason.

by **bluecap** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:54 pm

I read that the left over nutrient in the wash reacts with the heat and causes gas build up in the still so no matter how much you de-gas it before hand, the gas is formed in the distilling process thatâ€™s presuming what I read is right.
I always used the little ceramic rings but they are a bit hit and miss as to weather they work or not, itâ€™s a strange one, one lot can blow its top the next be ok all from the same batch of wash.
One other thing I read is that clearing the wash with bentonite stops it but I havenâ€™t got any so havenâ€™t tried it yet, for now the bits of cup are doing the job so ill stick with that. I do so love modern technology.

by **pi55ed** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:20 pm

Never read that one before, but yeh i can see that being an issue, maybe racking the wash more may let more sediment/left over nutrients settle down more

?

Leftover sugar left in wash

?

by **Phantom** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:21 am

The broken cup trick is exactly the same as the broken glass trick with in turn does the same thing as ceramic rings/saddles.
Broken glass doesn\'t have to be worn down in any way, in fact I understand that the sharper the shards the better.
It\'s to do with either nutrient or sugar not \"fined\" out of the wash. The steam molecules hold onto the tiny particles of sugar/nutrient and then \"join up\" forming bigger bubbles that in turn join up, making bubbles large enough to lift the lid and burp or bubble over.
The other method is to use distillers conditioner. it comes in small bottles the same size as food colouring, but you only need a capful per batch (per 4 litres).
Since using that I haven\'t had any burps or over spills/boils. I get it at a home brew shop that stocks the still spirits brand stuff.

by **HangOver** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:20 pm

after reading your post i went and bought a bottle of conditioner but have you read the ingredients? it has two, silicone and propylene 1520, see below what I found on propylene it seems fine, but silicone?? Im just not sure I want to drink silicone.

I know its used in implants and sealant but drinks?
anyone have any info on this??????
heres what I found on propylene :

Origin:

Propylene glycol is commercially produced from propylene and carbonate.

Function & characteristics:

It is used as a solvent for anti-oxidants.

Products:

Many products.

Acceptable Daily Intake:

Up to 25 mg/kg body weight.

Side effects:

None known when used in foods.

by **Mikey** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:49 pm

I am on my 4th or 5th batch now.. Lost count.. Never had the still blow yet but being the lazy so and so that I am, when I first started I bought a plasterers mixing paddle and stuck that in my drill and when my mash is done I use that to stir the bejesus out of it thus removing carbon dioxide.. I just sterilize before using each time.. I dont know if this is why (I use the rings too) I have had no problems?? But a word of warning if you like me are a lazy so and so and decide to try this be careful what speed you run your drill at otherwise you and surroundings end up being soaked and her indoors not amused

by **Jimmy** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:40 pm

Good tip Mikey! I think the silicone will be alright because you\'re distilling anyway so it shouldn\'t remain in the spirit once it has been through the still.

by **Phantom** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:56 am

after reading your post i went and bought a bottle of conditioner but have you read the ingredients? it has two, silicone and propylene 1520, see below what I found on propylene it seems fine, but silicone?? Im just not sure I want to drink silicone.

I know its used in implants and sealant but drinks?

You\\\'re not drinking it are you! It stays in the still - before you get any kind of burning/vapour etc from silicone, it has to reach somewhere in the region of 350 degree\'s C - it\'s why it can be used to make oven gloves etc. All it does is to help smooth out the production of bubbles in the still while it\\\'s heating up i.e. keep them small.
whereas the broken glass, rings, beads etc, are for actually breaking up any large bubbles that might form.
It seems that it\\\'s often, the bubbling problem/issue, is to do with excess CO2, or residual sugar, or residual yeast/nutrient etc
As far as I can find out, if the wash has, as you say, been thoroughly de-gassed, and been cleared as much as is possible, then the chance of a boil over is minimised.