Spirit is hot!

[Rolls912]

Using a pot still, why does the alchohol sometimes come out really fast and warm? Other times it’s cold and a slow trickle.
I can’t regulate the power / coil heater.
Knocked back to 30% prior to distilling.
Cheers

[bluc]

Check the flow and temp of cooling water, washing machine someone showering, blockages all effect distillate flow/temp. And do yourself a favour get hold of a voltage regulater :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[The Stig]

Using a pot still, why does the alchohol sometimes come out really fast and warm?

With a T500, if your connected to town water tap and you keep the outgoing water temp at 55degC you will never see hot spirit coming out the other end.
Something isnt right if its coming out hot.
If your connected to a recirculating system its not a big enough and you need to do something real quick, hot spirit is an issue waiting to happen

[coffe addict]

Pot still... As bluc said, Your coolant water is fluctuating in temp and/or flow. Worst case scenario and quite likely with an unregulated boiler and very small pc on your pot still your likely just overpowering the condenser and likely have gas escaping.

For your t500 as stig said.

Either of the above situations is dangerous and needs fixing before your next run imo.

For product quality sake on a pot still being able to control the heat input is an absolute must. It'll be running way too fast for your boiler size and causing nasty smearing.

I would assume somewhere around 300w to 500w for hearts way less when pulling fores or heads.

[Andrew]

:text-+1: on all the above

[Rolls912]

Thanks for the replies.
I should have mentioned it’s not the water flow as I’m using the powered seperate water holding tank to ensure it’s consistent.
Could it be the botanical vapour basket block the outflow of steam?

[coffe addict]

Ok, then it's most likely your overpower the condenser.

Whats the output speed and is the condenser hot all the way through the water jacket. I'm guessing it is and your condenser can't handle the volume you're pushing through it.

A power controller will fix the issues.

[bluc]

Thanks for the replies.
I should have mentioned it’s not the water flow as I’m using the powered seperate water holding tank to ensure it’s consistent.
Could it be the botanical vapour basket block the outflow of steam?

How many litres is the recirc tank? 200l gets suprisingly hot with a t500 boiler with 25l low wine's

[RC Al]

How stable is your power?
I have been a bit slack and only just hooked up the aldi power monitor I got on clearance
So with dinner in progress my 900w@240v rated element is bouncing between 740-810w, later after every bugger in town has stopped cooking, I can get it up to 860w

Gotta love rural power, pushing me towards gas...

[Rolls912]

I’m in the city so it’s pretty consistent.
The alcohol came out fast.
Temp at the top of the pot started at 80 and went up to 90 approx.
So is the verdict that the power was too high? That’s never happened before. How do I regulate the boiler for a T500? Is there a way to control the power input / heat?
I would love a better still but don’t have the cash..

[hillzabilly]

I would fit a 900wt weldless element(from most brew shops) wich would suit a 25lt boiler with a lieburg condenser better than the 2000wt one they have built in ,wich is fine for a reflux still wich has two condencers ta do the job were as a pot lieburg will not cope with that power especially ifn its a spirit run.cheers hillzabilly ;-)

[The Stig]

The T500 is actually 2 elements wired to one switch.
An easy mod done by many is to add another switch so that either element can be turned off

[Professor Green]

The T500 is actually 2 elements wired to one switch.
An easy mod done by many is to add another switch so that either element can be turned off

:text-+1:
There’s an 800 Watt and a 1200 Watt one. I added a switch to cut out the 1200 Watt one on mine. Works a treat. Make sure you use a switch with a rubber boot on it if you do this mod.

[Rolls912]

Great tips. How do I make that mod? Should I look for a post here?

My T5 always has a funny background taste in the alcohol. I’ve tried everything from TPW, to cleaning before each run - always there. I wonder if it’s more a case of me burning the wash?

[Doubleuj]

What packing are you using?

[Rolls912]

Copper and stainless saddles... Cleaned every few runs. Very lightly packed.
Ceramic heat thingies in the boiler too. I use one set for the final reflux to keep it clean.

Any tips on how to make a heat controller?

[RC Al]

Check the electrical section for power controller ideas, the quickest, easiest solution is a fully wired jobby for around $20-30 from evil bay