McJobbing the T-500

[John51]

Being blessed with the lazy gene, I'm into McJobbing various processes. Here's how I run my T-500:

Pressure control valve fitted to the coolant inlet tube. The valve is for 15mm pipe but 2 reducers 15mm > 8mm and the tube can be cut and fitted to the 8mm stubs. This avoids a permanent fitting and the valve gets stored with the column when not in use.

Consistent wash quality. I use vodka Star with 6kg of sugar. I have enough fermenters to leave each one 4 weeks or more. Each fermenter has a luggage label with the date the wash was started. The Vodka Star is so consistent that I no longer use a hydrometer.

One fermenter is kept high enough to syphon and I don't bother collecting the last inch. As soon as that's done the oldest wash goes in the same spot. This is so everything syphoned is clear.

A wee bit of a struggle but I pour the syphoned wash into the T-500, which of course is by the sink. This has proved to be enough degassing for my runs but maybe not for washes not left for 4 weeks or more.

Then 2 capfuls of conditioner go in. Also, most of the surplus ceramic rings are used as boil enhancers.

Each run I make sure that the thermometer wires don't touch the hot parts of the still. They get turned off when the run is over.

Next stage is cleaning the column. when it's up to temp, just over an hour, I leave it in full reflux for half an hour and the alcohol vapour cleans the column. Thanks for that tip Cap'n.

I have a table, chair and laptop in the kitchen so it's no problem me being here a while. I adjust the water flow to give 42'. This makes for a long run of about 9 hours total. Lots of online poker and surfing while occasionally glancing at the thermometer which hardly changes thanks to the pressure control valve.

The first bottle is marked for 500ml and this gets dumped as I have no interest in doing a heads run. (Too many bottles of non drinkable cluttering up the place.)

Then the good bit, I collect 3 litres of hearts and turn off the still. Each litre is measured for strength then diluted to 40%. Mostly 91%/92% so this gives me close to 7 litres of 40% for just under £9. The next day the still is cool enough to drain. The boil enhancers get poured into a sieve and washed. A quick rinse of the boiler and the still is stored in a cupboard.

All but one of my vodka drinking friends say the product is good enough without filtering but he can get his own still. lol

If you can try a low temp run, give it a go, I reckon you'll be impressed with the quality.

[fuf]

Hi John51,

I started a wash today with Vodka Star as per your recommendation last weak and I'm going to try your method.
Also the 'lazy gene' exists within myself and I like your T500 run. So, give it a go methinks.

[John51]

I've modified it slightly. Now after collecting the first 500ml at 42'C, I raise the temp up to about 46/48. Noticeably quicker and I haven't noticed a drop in quality.

I dare say it's not as good as a double distil but none of my samplers have complained, even when using only water as a mixer.

[fuf]

Sounds good to me John, at 46/48 about 5 hours at a guess.
I am still waiting for the wash to start fermenting 32 hours after I started it. I'll give it another day and if there is no change I'll start another wash.

[Capt-Cudellez]

For those with the lazy gene, if/when you consider upgrading I strongly suggest a VM still. After taking off the heads and setting it for the hearts, you won't touch it again until the tails appear.

Its super stable, and very boring to run.

[John51]

How is that different than the T500?

Once I've set the temp for the hearts, I don't touch it again, just pull the plug once I've got my 3L of hearts.