Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

I've had a Still Spirits Super Reflux condenser for years. Had a 5 litre boiler, with a clamp like you find round a large paint tin that kept the lid secured. That eventually broke and I couldn't get a replacement, so ended up buying a 25 litre boiler. Now prior to this, I'd always had great results. Clear, neutral spirit with no off smell.

Since using the new boiler, I've had no end of problems. I can throw water through the darned thing at such a high pressure that it blew the hose off once, but still I get a constant stream of 'alcohol' coming out as well as vapour. (I use the term alcohol rather loosely, here). No way in hell can I get it to just dribble, drip, drip, dribble. The product coming out is quite hot and has a very fruity 'off' smell and even after sitting on carbon for weeks it is still undrinkable (unless you're absolutely desperate, which I'm not).

I've tried using various yeasts as well as the tomato paste wash (the smell of which makes me want to vomit, but that's just me and cooked tomatoes) but the results are the same.

Before I go chucking the lot and buying a new 'kit', can anyone suggest what I'm doing wrong or how to fix the above problems?

Thanks.

Hi ladybee welcome to the forum, be sure to jump in the introduction sub forum and say g'day.

You will need a power controller. This will fix all your problems.
https://5stardistilling.com/product/pow ... 00w-10amp/

BigRig wrote:You will need a power controller. This will fix all your problems.

Ah, this is sounding promising. Any 'instructions' on how to use it?

Hi and welcome.
No real rocket science to the power controllers. I have a 5 star one. Plug it into the power point, plug the boiler in to the controller. Run flat out to heat up your boiler then back it off to get the desired power output. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Hick1960 wrote:Hi and welcome.
No real rocket science to the power controllers. I have a 5 star one. Plug it into the power point, plug the boiler in to the controller. Run flat out to heat up your boiler then back it off to get the desired power output. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks Hick1960. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I have to confess I was a bit put off by the spelling mistake on the controller, unless there really is a word 'ergulate'. :doh:

if the TPW puts you off, try the FFV in the 'tried and proven' section.

Haha. I must have the old model. No ergulate on mine. :-D
Worth every cent though.

Hick1960 wrote:Haha. I must have the old model. No ergulate on mine. :-D
Worth every cent though.

Well I've ordered one. So I'll see whether I get a 'regulate' or an 'ergulate'.

:-D

I love a happy ending :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Ladybee wrote:

Hick1960 wrote:Haha. I must have the old model. No ergulate on mine. :-D
Worth every cent though.

Well I've ordered one. So I'll see whether I get a 'regulate' or an 'ergulate'.

:-D

We are still selling the “ergulator” model , but chinglish aside they work perfectly fine.
Yours will be in the post tomorrew :laughing-rolling:
We do have the new Mk3 coming that have properly English speeeling :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Yay! I got an 'ergulate'.

Not only that I got a face mask (complete with lift up tab so you can use a straw - at least that's what I think it's for) and a strawberry flavoured Chuppa Chupp.

Arrived today. Great service. Will try it out over the weekend.

I’m glad your happy with the extras :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Tried the power controller out yesterday.

Worked really, really well. Was able to turn the power down to about 115 volts, and kept my water flow about 700 ml per minute. I re-distilled some 'old' stuff that I'd not been happy with, so wasn't a full run, but I was pleased to keep the outflow to a drip..drip..drip. Got about 82 ABV.

Have two 'brews' on the go at present, so within the next couple of weeks I'll be able to try it out on a full run.

Great news, the next modification is to extend the height of the super reflux and add copper mesh.
Doing this will raise the ABV to the 90's

Ladybee I have never been lead astray when rolling any advice Andrew has given me. The gear he has is first class, the trick is to ask before buying to make sure it has been designed to do what you think it has been designed to do lol
Welcome to the club of happy customers

Wellsy wrote:Ladybee I have never been lead astray when rolling any advice Andrew has given me. The gear he has is first class, the trick is to ask before buying to make sure it has been designed to do what you think it has been designed to do lol
Welcome to the club of happy customers

Thanks Wellsy. I've had my still for close to ten years and until I got the new boiler, have been very happy with the results.

The Stig wrote:Great news, the next modification is to extend the height of the super reflux and add copper mesh.
Doing this will raise the ABV to the 90's

Already got copper mesh in the column.

What advantage is there to getting the ABV to the 90s?

Ladybee wrote:What advantage is there to getting the ABV to the 90s?

Its a much cleaner product

Cleaner in what sense?

Less tails/ smearing .