StillSmart

I do the same strip with the pot full power down
to 97c or about 30% then with 2 or3 strips diluted
to 30% then spirit run with the column.
I personally like the AS for gin good quality and
good for 2ltrs almost unsupervised.

Setting myself up to be shot down in flames here.

I see no problem using an Alembic for gin and your thoughts on cuts makes sense.

I don't have a T500.
I can go along with not finding tails in a spirit run, chances are that you lost them by not going too far into the strip runs, and the remaining ones seem to be left in the boiler on a spirit run.
I believe that this is what happens with my neutral runs.

I run very different stills, but always strip with a pot head and spirit run neutral with a packed column.
I started this way because of common experience/knowledge.
My understanding is that strips should happen fast, and reflux slow.
One through an empty column and the other through a packed one, for those that can.

Now, if Myles would like to find the time to jump in and tell me where I have this wrong, I am all ears.

Robert.

Robert, is it faster to use a pot still for the stripping run then?

It's a lot quicker to strip on my pot head also on my setup I can use a lot less water.

Another benefit is the column packing does not get smelly as quickly as it would using it constantly

Brewhunter wrote:It's a lot quicker to strip on my pot head also on my setup I can use a lot less water.

Another benefit is the column packing does not get smelly as quickly as it would using it constantly

What is your setup Brewhunter? The SS instructions for the reflux column say to adjust the flow between 400 - 700 ml/minute whereas the alembic says 2.5 litres/minute over 3x as much. What am I missing here or rather what is it you are doing to conserve water?

Thunderbird wrote:Robert, is it faster to use a pot still for the stripping run then?

Absolutely. Quicker still to freeze it!

Thunderbird wrote:

Brewhunter wrote:It's a lot quicker to strip on my pot head also on my setup I can use a lot less water.

Another benefit is the column packing does not get smelly as quickly as it would using it constantly

What is your setup Brewhunter? The SS instructions for the reflux column say to adjust the flow between 400 - 700 ml/minute whereas the alembic says 2.5 litres/minute over 3x as much. What am I missing here or rather what is it you are doing to conserve water?

Yes the still spirits alemic setup is very wasteful.
On my t500 I have a much larger and more efficient condenser which Myles built for me, it only needs a very small amount of water.

Good mood lighting.

Am very tempted to say something Mash.

Mash wrote:Good mood lighting.

Mood lighting? lol

like wise with the wife BH she could scare the local thugs.

Wow, that’s nice Brewhunter. As a mere mortal though I think I’ll have to stick with my original plan of attack as I don’t have that lovely setup.

I suggest that you read between the lines of some of the old comedians here and follow the path that seems to suit you.

Robert.

Brewhunter wrote:It's a lot quicker to strip on my pot head also on my setup I can use a lot less water.

Another benefit is the column packing does not get smelly as quickly as it would using it constantly

Yup.

Jocularity aside. Regardless of the type (and BH's is a nice thing, but I wouldn't say it out loud) A pot head should be quicker. IMO Setup properly you should get a greater vapour flow to the condenser - quicker. And a quicker startup. Very popular for people to setup 2 easily interchangeable rigs. A dedicated stripper and a separate column for spirit runs.
Gins IMO want a pot head - you are adding flavours not looking to restrict them.

Mash wrote:Jocularity aside. Regardless of the type (and BH's is a nice thing, but I wouldn't say it out loud) A pot head should be quicker. IMO Setup properly you should get a greater vapour flow to the condenser - quicker. And a quicker startup. Very popular for people to setup 2 easily interchangeable rigs. A dedicated stripper and a separate column for spirit runs.
Gins IMO want a pot head - you are adding flavours not looking to restrict them.

So Mash, are you saying that even with the SS alembic setup I should be able to do a stripping run quicker than with the reflux column? I'm open to experimentation but if I'm going to waste a huge amount of water (especially in this weather plus I'm metered) I think I might stick with the reflux column for now. But if water usage would be about the same due to the time saving I might give it a try.

Gins I usually make using the Airstill but it's so time consuming. Now I've found recipes I like I'd like to be able to make them quicker, hence I bought the alembic dome and condenser (I also want to try making whisky).