StillSmart

I have just finished running tests using my T500 packed with SS SPP and my Boka fitted to the T500 boiler also packed with twice as much SS SPP.
I used spirit from stripping runs watered down to 40%
T500:
After the initial heat up, I turned down the boiler to 1300W, increased the water flow until NO product came off and let it reflux for 20 mins to move the fores & heads up to the top of the column.
After 20 mins I decreased the water flow so as to get a slow take off, took off 250ml as fores and binned it.Then took off 750ml as heads at a slightly higher rate.
Moved the parrot into position and started taking off the hearts in numbered 800ml jars.I took off 6.4L then changed the jars to 300ml.
After 3 x 300ml the temp started to increase so I stitched off. After using a temp correction calc, my 7+ litres worked out at 94.4% of absolutely tasteless product that doesn't need filtering.
BOKA:
Did the same heat up, turned the boiler down to 1600W, take off valve closed.
After 20 mins took off the same amounts of fores & heads, moved in the parrot and used the same jars for my run. I took off the same amounts and switched off.
After temp correction my end result was 94.6%, again tasteless.
CONCLUSION:
Just a slight increase in ABV but not as you would notice.Both runs had no taste and I could not tell any difference. So the SPP worked just as well in half the height.
When I did the same tests a while ago using SS scrubbers in both, there was a very noticeable difference in taste and ABV, the BOKA coming out on top, so as far as the T500 is concerned, SPP is better.
We all strive to get the best from our stills, but is that extra 0.5% worth the cost of building a BOKA?, why not just buy SPP from the start.

Hi vino-tinto

Where did you get the spp packing from?

From http://www.istill.eu/#!spiral-prismatic ... liter/c7ok

Hi Anavrin,

It's a 2 month delivery for the SPP's but vino said it's worth the wait so get your order in asap. Just one month to go for my delivery...

I've got 4kg of 6mm ceramic raschig rings I bought a few years ago, I was going to try these first, I can't remember what I paid for them now but I think it was around £60 so not cheap, only problem is I've got a feeling they might not be enough to fill a 3 ft, 2 inch column, think its time to get them out and see!

If anyone's interested, I filled a 1m long 2" (54mm) copper tube with 6 mm raschig rings it took 2kg to fill it to the top

Hi vino-tinto,
Am I reading this correctly, you took 7 litres of spirit @ 94% from a 25 litre wash

Not a wash,25 litres of stripped wash @40%.
It's too late to do a calc.,but seems well credible to me.
Robert.

FYI i put a 5ft packed column boka type still on my t500 boiler..
the product came out at 96-7% @20C according to my hydrometer.

the column is packed with 'stuff it' a 5" x 100ft circa 5mm open copper mesh sold as a rodent proof screening. rammed as tight as possible into the column with a broom handle

http://www.pestfix.co.uk/stuf-fit_copper_mesh_wire.asp



yes a placky trial jar i know.. but it was the sacrificial run producing only a batch of fuel/spirit/solvent not for consumption.

i have now chopped out a foot or so of column as i went and installed a ceiling in the brewshed and the still was just too tall to fit, hopefully i will still be able to chase a-zero

Aye similar results here.

Using my newly built 2" Boka the other night... (with packed length of 120cm pan scrubs. Packed tight.)
I was wondering if my hydrometer is out... my Boka was throwing out 96.8% @ 20C for the entire run.
My spirit smells harsh to me tho.

Whats the tolerance of a spirit hydrometer?

This copper mesh is a top find

Ive been looking for ages to find some online, here in the UK, the orders going to be getting placed today Happy Days

Fil,Boozoid,stand up and be applauded.

Boozoid,"My spirit smells harsh to me tho

Whats the tolerance of a spirit hydrometer?"

Sorry I can't help you there.
Robert.

vino-tinto, Your results from the T500 would give 16L or so at 40% abv.

How many kilos of sugar were used to get that?

Anavrin wrote:This copper mesh is a top find

Ive been looking for ages to find some online, here in the UK, the orders going to be getting placed today Happy Days

Glad the link was useful, it took me a while to track something suitable down in the UK, all the pot scourers i took a punt on rusted within a weeks use in the sink - even the copper?? ones.. i was considering expanded clay and lava rock, and even started making some diy SSP out of a few meters of twin n earth till i realised the real stuff is a lit thinner/smaller DUH!!

The trick turned out to be searching for the brand name 'stuff it'