Turbo 500 Kooky Idea - Repacking the column with Botanicals

[evildrakey]

I had a kooky idea... I've got a turbo 500... Which I'm using to start with until I can make a decent pot still (see below)

Is it possible after doing a normal run of wash, to take the column, empty out the ceramic saddles and pack the column with botanicals for making gin. Then adding a mix of pure spirit and distilled water into the boiler and doing a run that way...

Would it work as a concept or should I stick to cold compounding for gins???

D.

Plans are afoot for a decent copper pot still with thermocouples inserted at various points connected to an Arduino box connected wirelessly to a laptop. My plan is for automatic temperature logging over the entire run... The perhaps automated water control to keep the temperature exactly where I want them...

[maheel]

interesting idea with the t500

never really looked inside one but the worst that can happen really is you choke it.... could be a little dangerous but low "risk" i think if you dont pack to tight ?

the TC idea for logging temps will work fine, using it to control water is going to be a challenge i reckon and highly likely to be of little use.
using the audrino to power a PSR / SSR type heating control and a constant temp water supply IMO would be better

but i have NFI really

[SBB]

Just be careful the plastic cap at the top of the column doesn't get to hot n melt.

[Al Qaemist]

You can run the T500 with no reflux like a pot, but due to the small condenser the cooling has to be running flat out and is REALLY wasteful.
OldDog said he hangs the botanicals in a cotton bag from a hook in the still head space, you could do that from the threaded connector, also no chance of it blocking the column. I prefer to charge the still with cut spirit so I don't lose some nice flavour in the head and tails - if you choose to infuse from the wash, I find you need to use a larger quantity of botanicals to counteract this.

Al.