StillSmart

I found this the easiest way to fit the column of my pot head to my T500 boiler.

Bugger - I have been waiting to have that idea for two years.

Simple, effective, cheap, it ticks all the right boxes.

Absolutely brilliant- I love it !!!!

Tell yer what Bri, having done a lot of looking over the last months, it really does seem like its just a case of solving one problem i.e. making the boiler connection.

I'm still fannying around learning and reading, trying to work out how to proceed with my home build, and the biggest issue really does seem to be head to keg. If I could find someone with the appropriate machine to make 54 (or larger) flanges it'd be a doddle. All the actual making side is straight forward as the soldering should be straightforward. Whether theres any issue of buildup of crud between the flange nut and inner part of the coupler, would/should be solved if a small enough blow torch is used and the solder is actually flooded from the inside and flows down/out. It can then be tidied up with a small grinder.

As you say, an elegant solution. Looks like I know what I'm building over crimbo..........

I reckon Jimmy should instigate a special "title" for such members, whether its their or they've just found it somewhere (with full credits for the later). Instead of regular/distiller/whatever, they should be listed as "ideas wizard" or something like that. I for one, really do appreciate such contributions.......

If I fitted a pot head to my T500, what would the advantages be over the reflux colum when doing a stripping run. I am thinking of doing double distilling runs in the future rather than doing one run then filtering.


Regards Luckyshot.

Luckyshot wrote:If I fitted a pot head to my T500, what would the advantages be over the reflux colum when doing a stripping run. I am thinking of doing double distilling runs in the future rather than doing one run then filtering.


Regards Luckyshot.

The pot head is primarily for making dark spirits like whisky & rum where a single distillation can make a spirit carrying forward the flavours of the wash.

I also find the pot head faster at doing a stripping run. I line up everything I take off in jars, from this take the best bit in the middle for my bourbon, then bung everything else back for a reflux run to obtain my neutrals.

Thanks Vino,I was thinking of using the pot head for a stipping run and then run it through the reflux head for vodka. And use the pot head for stripping and a spirit run for my nuclear whiskey? but I don't know if its worth it,bearing in mined I only do sugar washes.

Regards Lucky.

Luckyshot wrote:Thanks Vino,I was thinking of using the pot head for a stipping run and then run it through the reflux head for vodka. And use the pot head for stripping and a spirit run for my nuclear whiskey? but I don't know if its worth it,bearing in mined I only do sugar washes.

Regards Lucky.

If you really want good neutrals, forget the pot head and invest in SPP, I have just done my first experimental run with it. I Separated the fores and heads by refluxing 100% for 20 mins and took them off slowly (500ml). The hearts came off at 96% and as soon as the alcometer started rising in the parrot (92%), stopped and got no tails, best stuff I have ever used for a neutral with no need to filter.

Thanks for that Vino,
I had never heard of SPP until you mentioned it, we don't get out much up north! that looks like a good improvement,did you get the SPP from Istill?

regards Lucky.

Luckyshot wrote:Thanks for that Vino,
I had never heard of SPP until you mentioned it, we don't get out much up north! that looks like a good improvement,did you get the SPP from Istill?

regards Lucky.

Yes I got it from iStill, the T500 will take less that 1 litre so you have some to spare. I put a copper scrubber up the column first and wedged it against the reflux coil, poured in the SPP and bunged it with half of a stainless steel scrubber to stop it falling into the boiler. This will probably give 3 times the distillations you get with saddles.
To clean it, I used a small amount of detergent & Oxi, simmer it for 5 minutes and then another simmer with a 4:1 vinegar mix, then a good rinse.
The only downfall is the wait, it's a 2 month delivery from date of payment.

Hi Vino

Could you use copper saddles? if the copper scrubber is better is there a UK supplier? I know its available from US suppliers but have never seen it in UK HBS

Good crack Vino Thanks.

Regards Lucky.

Luckyshot wrote:Hi Vino

Could you use copper saddles? if the copper scrubber is better is there a UK supplier? I know its available from US suppliers but have never seen it in UK HBS

Good crack Vino Thanks.
Regards Lucky.

This is the one I use, they are 100% copper made from machine shavings

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A ... UTF8&psc=1

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2825#p17942

Blimey Vino, those SPP's are not cheap. €29 for 1 litre and €19 for shipping, then a wait of 2 months! Is it worth the wait and cost? Your original idea of copper scrubbers first and then stainless steel scrubbers was great. Are the SPP's that good?

fuf wrote:http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2825#p17942

Blimey Vino, those SPP's are not cheap. €29 for 1 litre and €19 for shipping, then a wait of 2 months! Is it worth the wait and cost? Your original idea of copper scrubbers first and then stainless steel scrubbers was great. Are the SPP's that good?

Have a look at this by Odin at iStill, it makes good reading
http://media.wix.com/ugd/8d20f3_121b7a4 ... da5384.pdf

Hi Vino,
That PDF was a good read for sure, thank you for that. Just ordered the SSP's and now the long wait.

fuf wrote: now the long wait.

It's worth it, now you have the time to build/buy a power controller if you don't have one.