StillSmart

Hi all...

Probably get an award for this been a stupid question but here goes...

If the parrot works the way it does in allowing the strongest alcohol to exit the device first (It rises up the column from entering at the lowest part from the still take off...

How does this apply to the slant plates in the boka ?
Im trying to take off foreshots at a drip per second so wont the distillate be pooling in the slant and the worse stuff rising in this small area away from the take off ? Surely 1 drip per second would cause the plate to collect a pool where the nasties would rise away from takeoff..

I hope someone understands what im trying to ask here..

Thanks
Rich

I don't think the parrot works the way you think it does. It does nothing to separate stronger from weaker alcohol. The parrot holds just enough liquid to float an alcometer to get a reading. I think mine holds 50-60ml.
A pot still produces stronger alcohol at the beginning, then it gradually reduces throughout the run, the parrot is just a container to measures this change in the output, it doesn't influence the output strength.

As for running a parrot on a column, it may be useful for learning to run a new still, to ensure you are taking off at the correct strength and not running too fast, but once you know how to run a column all a parrot does is give an opportunity to smear or contaminate the hearts with heads or tails, and you would be best to run a Bok without a parrot in my opinion.
I can pull tails at almost 95%+ with my column, the ABV doesn't help me, watching the vapour temp change by 0.1 oC is the indicator I look for when running a column.

Hope this makes sense, got a few g'n't's in me tonight

Hey I'm with you Captn. A parrot is only useful on a Pot Still and even then its down to smell & taste. Every individual is different and a reading to one tastes totally different to another. better to learn by smell & taste.
Regards
RM

A Parrot is almost essentia kit for stripping runs on a pot still but I never use it for anything else.

AM

aidanmac wrote:A Parrot is almost essentia kit for stripping runs on a pot still but I never use it for anything else.

AM

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I also use one when running gin. When I'm doing a 5L batch, I take a very small cut to get some of the oils out 10-15mls, then I'll collect 90mls separately in a jar, before switching to the parrot right into a DJ before switching back to a jar when it gets down to 40%.
I'm using cut spirit in the boiler, so there are no real heads and tails, this is just tweaking the flavour.

The first jar, and the end jar are the only bits I try and blend in, often all the first jar makes in in, and some of the last jar.

I use a Parrot that I only use for gin, as the copper can hold on to some of those strong flavours.

Thanks all for advice. Ive got the answers i needed and this ties in with a sucesfull spirit run yesterday (my first).:-)

Did it by taste and i got some very pleasant neutral which is currently going through my new essencia filter...just on the first litre now with missus of vodja and its proved everything was worthwhile.

Ps i dont know why im getting double posts !!

I type on phone...preview...correct and post.

Its done this a few times.

Thanks
Rich

monkeyb0yuk wrote:Thanks all for advice. Ive got the answers i needed and this ties in with a sucesfull spirit run yesterday (my first).:-)

Did it by taste and i got some very pleasant neutral which is currently going through my new essencia filter...just on the first litre now with missus of vodja and its proved everything was worthwhile.

Ps i dont know why im getting double posts !!

I type on phone...preview...correct and post.

Its done this a few times.

Thanks
Rich

instead off ...preview...correct and post just click submit

Magnu420 wrote:

monkeyb0yuk wrote:Thanks all for advice. Ive got the answers i needed and this ties in with a sucesfull spirit run yesterday (my first).:-)

Did it by taste and i got some very pleasant neutral which is currently going through my new essencia filter...just on the first litre now with missus of vodja and its proved everything was worthwhile.

Ps i dont know why im getting double posts !!

I type on phone...preview...correct and post.

Its done this a few times.

Thanks
Rich

instead off ...preview...correct and post just click submit

I would but using a smartphone to write posts is not as easy...spelling, autocorrect and the fact in portrait mode means the text goes off the screen and i cant see what im typing at times...
I use preview just to make sure its half - understandable..

Rich

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!, bloody smartphones - that's why I don't have one. There's no point in trying to shave yourself with a dinner knife - sure, it's a blade! but.......?

AM

monkeyb0yuk wrote: a sucesfull spirit run yesterday (my first).

Congratulations, here's to many more.

This implies that the bits and pieces for your controller turned up, how did that go?

Well......

They actually didnt :-0
I can only assume they were held in customs?

I brought the heavy duty stuff from sourcingmap and a 3800w dimmer from ebay.
Both shipped from china. 14th dec for sourcemap and 4th jan for other item.
I launched a paypal dispute against scourcemap and they gave a full refund within the hour.
In the end i brought a 4000w dimmer from home here...on ebay from a firm called ideal trading. That was 20quid delivered. Sent weds arrived thurs...
I made a nice fan cooled power box with the dimmer and it worked fine.

As for the china parts...i honestly dont know where or why..maybe they will turn up one day...
Alls well that ends well

Rich

dont forget it be chinese new year soon

Sunday, February 10
Chinese New Year 2013