possible upgrades for a T500

[gaza the instructor]

Blimey are you going into mass production.
You will need a sponsor like Mr Tate or his bro.

[gaza the instructor]

A man's gotta do what a mans gotta do.
Timings are correct but figures?
I think something is not right.

[RumJohn]

@needmorestuff. You need to evaluate your whole process. A T500 should provide you with adequate supplies of alcohol if you improve on your proceedure, from the wash though to the final product. It appears to me you might be spinning your wheels.

You already have the tools.

[Easydrinker]

I don't use a T500.
Only slightly funky versions of an air still, one for pot stilling/stripping, another for reflux spirit runs.
My brews use 2 Kg of sugar less than yours.
Usually finish (with added heat) in 10 days and ready to strip.
From the calculated alcohol units, (vol. in ml x % alc. / 1000) we sort of agree to this point.
My spirit runs typically produce 3.5 litres drinkable @ 92%, around 8 litres at 40%.
I have the space, and vessels to run at 3 times this capacity.
I don't need almost 10 litres of neutral a week.

The above boost would require stilling everyday or evening.
I can understand wishing to cut this down to once a week.
To do so will save you time, but will hit your wallet.
You pay your money and take your choices.

If you find yourself a high capacity system, that you can buy in for small money, please share, it is one of the reasons that people come here.
Everyone wants an easy life.

Robert.

[Mash]

@dontneedmorestuff
I have to agree with the guys. You don't need a bigger still. You need a smarter process from ferment to cutting.

You could of course go on to freeze stripping. You would only fill the t500 for the spirit run. A 25 litre fill at 30% would help

[Mash]

So far I like the idea of freeze stripping but don't have a chest freezer and they are pretty big, but guess I could accommodate one. I could shift the t500 fairly easy so an upgrade would be offset in cost terms. Yes a 30% 25l charge would certainly give me a good amount of product but that would still take 5 hours from start to finish.

I like the idea of machines/processes that you setup and leave. I have never bought a T500 for this reason.

Freezer space is an issue. Uprights will take 2 fermenters - even 3 it you use buckets.

Freeze stripping does work. So you really could make double with a single T500 run and save 5 hours stripping.

[Mash]

buy a shiney freezer they come in stainless.

[gaza the instructor]

I personally enjoy using the stills I have. So dont
want to cut down time using, thats part of my hobbie.
Although I (did) drink my own product, its the making
that I personally enjoy.
If you were to do 3x 25ltr washes strip and combine,
you will end up with a larger spirit haul.If you have
a copper dome and condenser, you will save time on
the stripp runs. Also you could make some nice Rum etc.

[gaza the instructor]

Yepp sure does. Good time to watch Shift Bang
an American Drag Racing site on the internet,
now I have all mod cons except hot women in the
brew house.Wifey calls it my man cave. Supose
she is right really. I have all I need in there,
even an espresso coffee machine.

[RumJohn]

@needmor.... I have often stated that it is easy to make good alcohol, and even easier to make bad alcohol. A lack of patience will lead to more of the latter. Distillation takes time.

[Easydrinker]

Tonight I will come out as a bad boy of home distilation.
I usually fall asleep during my reflux runs, but they seem to quit at +85%, while I drink coffee,or something.
The 550ml collection jars and overspill vessel can cope with my falling asleep and leaving my set-up unattended.
I am about to shove a demi john under the condenser and go to bed.
Until you know the way that your gear works, don't try this yourself.
I live in a detached dwelling, and should I burn overnight, I pose no fire risk to nieghbours.
Makes me feel better.
Really.

Robert.

[packapoo]

Oh boy......

[Mash]

That's the difference. I think you are onto something there.

I have a brew shed. No carpet. No TV. Certainly not an expresso thing.

I go in there kick something off and come back when it's done. Wine beer or spirit. For me they are all related. But it isn't a man cave.

I don't think this takes anything away from my hobby I just see it (enjoy it) in different ways.

Effective and efficient running is important and very satisfying.

... and a nice gin

[gaza the instructor]

Thats down to a mans personal needs. I run
the still watch TV and drink coffee all
at the same time. And I am warm, have a
comfortable chair good light and an
ashtray for my bad habit.

[Duffer26]

I sometimes fall asleep with my head under the condenser.
I have trained my 3 and 4 year old's to place me in the recovery position, wipe my face, and wrap me in a foil blanket.

After that they are more than capable at making the required cuts and shutting down the still.