Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Well once again I was reminded today of how quickly things can go wrong if you are not with your baby.
Sitting browsing the forum while waiting for the bubbler to get into reflux properly. Next thing drip drip of the the cooling water. As the return water heated up it decided to depart the coupling attaching it to the still. Not a major problem as I was there to turn everything up and replace the hose, if however I was “just making a coffee” it would have gotten ugly very quickly.
Probably best I don’t mention how I thought I had turned off the pump when I disconnected the hose and wondered why if was gushing out.
So 18 months after getting into this hobby my still likes to remind me not to assume everything will be ok and that it likes company :). Lucky she is so pretty and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with her :)
Seriously guys you need to stay with the still all the time given the temps and pressure everything works at. Don’t underestimate how quickly things can go wrong if you are not paying attention

Very well said :handgestures-thumbupleft:

You are so right Wellsy. Can't be too carefull in this game.

Well this is a good thread to mention THAT one where it Happened :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead:

So a few years ago I got my still the highest it will go which is close to the roof and of course the collection was at head height, had the laptop going and forgot about the collection jar then saw a huge flame as the collection spilled over and the 90% was lighted by the gas fire.

I turned off the gas and moved the bottle and found there was no way to stop the fire and no there combustibles were around just left it to burn out. Well 2 milk crates were gone, gas line to my BD burner but the fire was contained and the water lines on the still were still OK.

So this is an episode where lighting up in a huge flame what you just made is not the thing to do but as no wood was around the fire was contained to burn out.

Now just think if you made this new bar with all the bell's and whistles then forgot about the still just how your dream can up up in flames.

So stay sober and take notes if you need to and forget the internet as that can be the distraction that brings on the events.

Cheers Bryan

ha, it doesn't take much.
last year i had my still going so i wheeled the pedestal drill over, right next to the still, so i could do a bit of work at the same time.
i got distracted by the drilling (i get distracted easily :doh: ), the next thing i know there is product going past my boots from an overflowing collection jar.
luckily i have concealed elements and nothing sparked up.
i always have a hose nearby and a fire extinguisher is in position.

All I can say is FUCK NO!!!!!!

You CAN goose Wonder Woman as she walks past but I wouldn’t be recommending it.

Just thought I would raise this again as I was on the keg land Facebook for beer brewing and some clown said the temp controller could be used to turn off the still and basically be left unattended.

Stuff a duck how can these guys have lived so bloody long with so many poor decisions in their life

So, on my last run all was going along fine. I’m sitting 5 feet away typing a note whilst everything comes up to temp when I hear a metallic bang. As I looked up 2 more! :scared-eek:
The heating element died just as it was reaching temp. No heat and it had started cooling. Drained the thumper just that fast and started to implode the boiler, which was now distinctly square. :o Opened the coupler to break the vaccuum faster than I thought possible. Used compressor at 20 psi and popped the boiler back into shape (sort of) and ordered out a new element. :clap:
NO. Don’t leave your equipment when the power’s on! :naughty:

No way, you shouldn't do that!