Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

G'day all,

I changed ceramic to copper saddles three runs ago. First run puked so I stopped the run, took some saddles out and tried again. Great result, best spirit I have produced in over 30 runs with the T500. Third run has gone back to puking about 30 minutes into the run and the coolant water output temperature fluctuated cyclically between 53 and 73 degrees. I also detected a small leak but I do not know where it was leaking from as I could only see drips off one of the condenser latches. I aborted the run ...

All feedback most welcome

You sure the wash has finished fermenting? Is it just a sugar wash? .990 fg?

Yes quite sure that it had finished. Just a standard TPW that has not changed at all.

Cooling water temp shouldnt be fluctuating that much.
Im guessing it was puking when the temp was high?

Sounds like a pressure problem, was some one running the dishwasher and washing machine?

I don't think so. Certainly all water usage at my place is banned while the still is running. Yes, it was certainly puking when temperature was high and producing virtually nothing at any other part of the cycle of temperature fluctuation.

I should also mention that there is a lot more copper saddles in the column than when it had ceramic and SS saddles. I have asked my mentor to send me some copper mesh which may help. (NOT a freebee, I have paid) Should arrive well before the next run, AusPost willing :-D

To me, and I could be wrong (it happened once) it sounds like you’ve over packed the column.
The copper saddles may have “settled” and could be causing a blockage of sorts.
I did that many years ago. Unpacked and repacked and all was good in my world again.
The copper mesh may help unless it’s packed too tight.

Hey, thanks Andrew. Perhaps a little more detail please, on what to do in the column when my copper mesh arrives. eg; Do I take all the copper saddles out and replace with mesh alone, or do I take saddles out and then insert mesh then replace some copper saddles? There are lots of variations I suspect but which will possibly work best? No guarantees wanted or expected :-D

I think I’ll just call you tomorrow for a chat rather than try trouble shooting here.
If that’s ok with you?

Perfect, thank you Andrew. We are GMT plus eight so two hours behind Queensland. I am at my desk by 0900 WST.

Understood :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks for making the time to have a chat today.
I hope that I have given you a path that will see you right.
You’ve got my number now :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Cheers
Andrew