How to run my pot still in a spirit run.

[Matt S]

Hello all,
I have a pot still (mac made), which I use on top of a 30L 2000w Pure Distilling boiler.
I want to make whiskeys, and rum, but my still runs too fast and I feel there is too much smearing and I am not getting the required ABV of a nice slow spirit run to age on oak.
Is there any way I could operate the still differently to help this situation?
It runs like a treat with the 2000w boiler on a stripping run, but a spirit run is other news.
Cheers and thanks,
Matt

[Brendan]

G'day Matt,

I'm assuming from the sound of your post, that you have no power control over your heating? (Im not familiar with your boiler). If so that's your issue. You need a power controller to back off the running power and take-off/collect slowly...the more power to the element, the more steam being pushed up the column...

You want run hard for stripping runs, but nice and slow on a spirit run if chasing a decent flavoured drink out of your pot :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Edit: the parts for a controller to operate one element can be purchased for around $50, and you just need a sparky to put it together for you...

[emptyglass]

You might need a controller mate. Just to fine tune things. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Damn that Brendan and his typing prowess. he beat me to it.

[Matt S]

Ahh the thought never even crossed my mind! Of cause I need a controller, duh! :angry-banghead:

Just as a quick question, if I was to pack the column of my pot still, what would this achieve? Am I right in belieing it would not achieve anything as there is no condenser at the top of the column?

[emptyglass]

Thats like a borderline long question dude.

Packing a pot still is wrong for a lot of reasons, imo, it'll strip flavor that you want to keep, or you will not strip flavor that you want out. Thats been my experience.

BT1has had a bit of sucess with "hybrids" as you might call them. Maybe he might chime in with some advice.

[Matt S]

Haha, yes, possible long question :))

Cheers mate!

[cps1]

In coming at the problem from the other direction there might be another solution

The 1380w element in my 35l copper pot still was very slow and, following advice from the experts I added another 2000w element for stripping runs:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=3360&start=20

Further advice suggested that that running both was too much for a spirit run so I'll just turn off the big element once I'm up to temperature

Replacement elements are available in a variety of sizes from 900w up to 2000w for about $45 from HBS

You could always add another 900 or 1380w element as I have or physically switch the elements over before the spirit run if you don't want to drill holes

[Andy]

d I am not getting the required ABV of a nice slow spirit run to age on oak.
Matt

what ABV is it producing?

[Matt S]

I am getting a starting ABV of about 50% and it goes down from there pretty quickly.
55%-60% on spirit runs.

[googe]

That seems lowish for a spirit run, do you know what sort of lph its doing?. Also whats the output look like, fast stream?, tooth pick size stream?, broken stream?, fast drops?.

[Matt S]

Probably around 4-5 litres an hour. The size coming out is more like the size of the WHOLE pencil :-p

[salientlucidity]

Hi Matt
I got one of these on ebay for power control. I then made up a spreadsheet that told me how many watts I was using at any given amp reading
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10000W-220v-Adjust-SCR-Voltage-Regulator-Motor-Speed-control-Dimmer-Thermostat-/181048405275
you just need to add on a Amp Meter ) I went digital but there is cheap analog ones as well.

Works great

[googe]

Probably around 4-5 litres an hour. The size coming out is more like the size of the WHOLE pencil :-p

:)) definitely to fast then :razz:

[Matt S]

Sweet guys! I will have to look into power controllers, and how to get them rigged. Sounds like they offer a lot of control.

[Matt S]

Could anyone offer any help in what else I would need to control the power? Just one of the cheap voltage controllers on ebay?

[Sam.]

Jeezus bud there is a whole section of the forum of it here!

[Matt S]

Ahh, yes there is! Funny how I became distracted with the usual headers for the forums, I completely read over that one! :angry-banghead: