Alcohol temperature expected from condenser

[copperhead road]

Hi guys
I am wondering how hot is hot. If running pot still through a 3" shotgun condenser with 5 internal vapour tubes what is the normal or usual temperature that the product should be coming straight of the still ?????
Provided you are using standard tap water.

Is there such thing as running to hot???

[TasSpirits]

20c is ideal, I wouldn't want it any hotter, it really depends on your water temp, when I strip in pot mode with a 2" shotty my condensate comes out at about 12c. I'm recirculating from a IBC that is lucky to get a couple of hours sunlight in the summer. I have used tap water a few times and it was up around 18c in the summer. Water down here will be a bit cooler than up you way I reckon. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Plumby]

Depends on the run type I find, when I strip washes hard and fast the output temp is a few degrees higher than on a spirit run. I don't have a shotgun condenser I run a Liebig but I would assume that the shotgun condenser will be cooler due to the more efficient design.

[rumsponge]

Is there such thing as running too hot???

definitely ! Think safety, hot condensate will have a much higher tendency to ignite. If product comes out too warm (much more than the cooling water temp), then your condenser is struggling and there may be ethanol vapour as well (bad news). :happy-bouncyredfire:
In summer, with a recirculated system I usually run cooling water at ~ 25-28C. I would get worried if it stays over 30C for long (plus my recirculation pumps has auto shutoff at about 35C).

Short answer, you have to adjust your tap cooling water flow rate to match your heating power input so that product doesnt come out warm (or reduce power).

cheers rs

[Birdman85]

Just revamping an old discussion to save starting a new thread.

Is there a difference in the product/quality if it comes out at different temps?

Running a wash and my first 3 jars came out warm, the next 2 were cool and the last 6 have been cold.

The temp gauge on the still has been a constant 74deg output temp.

[bluc]

Depends on still when you have a reflux or plated still it makes at difference to flavour at the RC only. But a pc does not because it should be run flat out with output as cold as possible..
So on a pot still temp not important anywhere in still. And unless trying to make it exact same everytime it makes no diff in any still.

[Birdman85]

Depends on still when you have a reflux or plated still it makes at difference to flavour at the RC only.

On a T500 (sorry. Still waiting in bubbler)

[bluc]

Not sure how t500 works..doubleuj is the man to ask about that particular still..

From memory thermometer is in cooling water?

[The Stig]

Cold water enters the product condenser at the bottom then exits at the top then enters the reflux condenser and flows out into the drain.
Pretty simple design

[bluc]

Is the factory thermo in vapour after rc or cooling water path stig? Ihave seen 55c said few times but not sure if thats rc temp or water exiting still..

[The Stig]

It’s in the path of the water flowing out of the RC.
They say to keep the outgoing water at 50 - 60 deg c
But we know better

[bluc]

Thought so. Birdman85 check out this thread https://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopi ... 57&t=10483

Dont worry too much about temps..

[Birdman85]

Thought so. Birdman85 check out this thread https://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopi ... 57&t=10483

Dont worry too much about temps..

Thanks mate, I've read that thread. Been running it for a few years now.

Just wondering why the alcohol product would be a different temperature and actually get colder as it goes.

[tubbsy]

The higher the production rate, the warmer your product. Fast output doesn't get as long in the PC as slowly produced stuff.

[Tesla101]

....

The temp gauge on the still has been a constant 74deg output temp.

74 seems a bit high to me. Could be risking warping of the plastic at the top.

What's the distillate output flow rate like?

[Birdman85]

....

The temp gauge on the still has been a constant 74deg output temp.

74 seems a bit high to me. Could be risking warping of the plastic at the top.

What's the distillate output flow rate like?

Probably runs at about 1.5L p/h.

[Tesla101]

Thanks birdman. I usually run at about 1L/hour at around 46 degrees, but that's just me.