What just happened? Air still burped.

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What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby Dylan » Wed Mar 23, 2022 8:16 pm

I've been distilling for about 18 months using an air still and a variety of yeasts with the normal level of success for an entry level beginner. Never had anything worse happen than a little overfoaming from the fermenter one time.

Just lately I've turned to trying out the double distilling technique discussed on one of the boards here. I'm on my second full fermenter load, and done all my 6 stripping runs. Tonight I thought I'd do the first Spirit run.

So after just over an hour, almost exactly when the fores were ready to toss, I heard this great humphing and hissing noise from the kitchen and ran out to discover a 180 degree arc of hot alcohol all over the floor and walls. I assume the still boiled over in some fashion, but this has never happened to me before.

With the spirit runs I don't use any distilling conditioner (my spirit is pretty clean) and I didn't put in any saddles either. I have a little copper wool stuffed into the outlet but otherwise nothing unusual.

I popped the lid, tossed in the saddles, and kicked it off again. So far so good, but wondering what might have caused that?
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Re: What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby Carol » Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:18 am

Hi Dylan

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12502&p=217110&hilit=airstill#p217110

This thread might help.

Regards
Carol
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Re: What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby The Stig » Thu Mar 24, 2022 9:06 am

Perfect example of why a still should never be left alone
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Re: What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby Dylan » Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:40 am

Carol wrote:Hi Dylan

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12502&p=217110&hilit=airstill#p217110

This thread might help.

Regards
Carol


Thanks heaps for that. The other thread basically answers my question. I had put my ceramic saddles into the pot and continued the run, and it went fine. Nice to have it confirmed that that was basically the problem.
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equipment: Still Spirits Airstill. Strictly hobbyist/beginner

Re: What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby Dylan » Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:41 am

The Stig wrote:Perfect example of why a still should never be left alone

Yes, I was metres away, and able to react quickly.
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Re: What just happened? Air still burped.

Postby Wellsy » Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:47 pm

Did you remember to dilute the spirit back down under 40% mate ?
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