What just happened? Air still burped.

[Dylan]

I've been distilling for about 18 months using an air still and a variety of yeasts with the normal level of success for an entry level beginner. Never had anything worse happen than a little overfoaming from the fermenter one time.

Just lately I've turned to trying out the double distilling technique discussed on one of the boards here. I'm on my second full fermenter load, and done all my 6 stripping runs. Tonight I thought I'd do the first Spirit run.

So after just over an hour, almost exactly when the fores were ready to toss, I heard this great humphing and hissing noise from the kitchen and ran out to discover a 180 degree arc of hot alcohol all over the floor and walls. I assume the still boiled over in some fashion, but this has never happened to me before.

With the spirit runs I don't use any distilling conditioner (my spirit is pretty clean) and I didn't put in any saddles either. I have a little copper wool stuffed into the outlet but otherwise nothing unusual.

I popped the lid, tossed in the saddles, and kicked it off again. So far so good, but wondering what might have caused that?

[Carol]

Hi Dylan

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12502&p=217110&hilit=airstill#p217110

This thread might help.

Regards
Carol

[The Stig]

Perfect example of why a still should never be left alone

[Dylan]

Hi Dylan

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12502&p=217110&hilit=airstill#p217110

This thread might help.

Regards
Carol

Thanks heaps for that. The other thread basically answers my question. I had put my ceramic saddles into the pot and continued the run, and it went fine. Nice to have it confirmed that that was basically the problem.

[Dylan]

Perfect example of why a still should never be left alone

Yes, I was metres away, and able to react quickly.

[Wellsy]

Did you remember to dilute the spirit back down under 40% mate ?