Heads up on double stilling

Reflux still design and discussion

Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Thu Dec 13, 2018 4:12 pm

I have double stilled two single runs of 4 litres each back through the T500 with some interesting results. May I have some advice, please?

I collect my spirit in two 5 litre glass flagons. So I emptied both back into a clean T500 and cut the AbV back to 35% with distilled water. I then ran the T500 again back into the two flagons. The first flagon was certainly improved but the second flagon produced Four Star, an almost odourless clear spirit at 92% AbV. Great stuff.

My question about how much heads should I have taken before refilling the first flagon? I did not take any but that was obviously an error ...
Last edited by Arismac on Thu Dec 13, 2018 4:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby woodduck » Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:10 pm

Have a read of this mate, it will help immensely

viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2859
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:13 pm

Thank you kind Sir, but I think the link is broke (ocker for broken) ...

Oooops, sorry Firefox blocked. Got it now
Last edited by Arismac on Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby The Stig » Thu Dec 13, 2018 6:54 pm

You had pop up blocked turned on didn’t you :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:16 pm

I certainly did ... :oops: :oops:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:31 pm

OK, I have got right this time. I stilled two 25 litre TPW in my pair of 30 litre fermentors using "Premium Spirit Yeast". This took seven days. I then ran the T500 twice (one run for each fermentor) after cleaning the copper mesh and saddles with citric acid before each run. I got 4.5 litres of 92% WbV from each run.

I then returned the 9 litres of spirit to one of the fermentors and added distilled water to make up to 25 litres. Cleaned the condenser again and repacked the column. Ran the T500, discarded the heads again and now have a very acceptable result. Not a whiff of sulphur, just a very slightly sweet smelling spirit.

I am now very good friends with my T500 and a couple of my neighbours. :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby bluc » Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:08 pm

You shouldnt put spirit in plastic :naughty:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:16 pm

I added 9 litres of 92% AbV to 16 litres of distilled water and got an AbV in PET of 33% I am comfortable with that as it is only in the PET for less than 24 hours.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby RC Al » Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:30 pm

Mate, your choice, some on here are okay with a minute or two while diluting, but for most what you are doing is 24 hours too long...

Stock pots, your boiler, a 25 litre glass demijohn, a keg - these are all much better choices, you already have one or two of those.....
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:26 pm

OK, I hear you. I will use the 7 gallon SS Brewmaster Fermenter for the final wash ... There ain't no PET in there.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby bluc » Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:31 pm

Wash mash is fine but no stronger.. No low wines no final spirit :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby The Stig » Sun Dec 16, 2018 6:08 pm

Ok guys. I’m the the first to say “no plastic” but....
From time to time there is a need and a “nowayforward” situation.
I know Arismac’s situation and I feel he’s doing the very best he can do with the very best he has available.
With your best wish’s at heart mate I would like to reveal a few bits of info.
Arismac is in his 80’s and confined to a wheelchair.
So more power to him.
Cheers
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby bluc » Sun Dec 16, 2018 6:10 pm

Your sight mate :handgestures-thumbupleft: we are just following the example you and others set when we signed up...And good on you arismac for having a crack :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby The Stig » Sun Dec 16, 2018 6:18 pm

Knowing your age Bluc I would say your mad for doing the same.
All I’m saying at this point is good on Aris for doing what he’s doing.
My old mans only 78 and carries on like he’s unable to do anything.
And frankly at 80+ there’s bigger things to worry about than a little plastic.
Last edited by The Stig on Sun Dec 16, 2018 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby RC Al » Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:26 pm

Onya Arismac gestures-thumbupleft:
Inspiring, Hope I have my faculties that together by that age - :D

Is there any particular reason for storing it that way? Generally most water down just before running, seems an unnecessary step?

Hopefully arismac will be at it for a while yet and is sharing with others, so I think we would be remiss in not saying anything :-B
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby bluc » Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:00 pm

Fair enough stig :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Woods314 » Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:11 pm

What are you talking about Stig, Arismac don’t look a day over 50! Keep having a go Arismac, there are lots of people here that have good advice. Myself, I usually dilute in the boiler just before I’m ready to distill and I have found with the t500 that if your ABV is much above 30%, then you have to be careful it doesn’t run too fast.
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:00 pm

Woods314 wrote:What are you talking about Stig, Arismac don’t look a day over 50! Keep having a go Arismac, there are lots of people here that have good advice. Myself, I usually dilute in the boiler just before I’m ready to distill and I have found with the t500 that if your ABV is much above 30%, then you have to be careful it doesn’t run too fast.


It did run fairly fast last time I double distilled. So how do I reduce the flow rate with the T500, please gents? I do have a voltage controller but have not yet installed.

PS: The mug shot is about 10 years old, mirrors and cameras break when they spot me these days. :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby The Stig » Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:19 pm

Increase the water flow and drop the temp of the outgoing water .
This will slow down the flow of alcohol
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Re: Heads up on double stilling

Postby Arismac » Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:23 pm

Ah .. OK thanks. This actually comes out as reducing the outflow temperature from my usual 60 to something closer to 50, is that right, Stig?
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